The Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) has awarded the 700 megahertz (MHz) band, meant for the 5G network, to Telekom Malaysia (TM), Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi Telecommunications San Bhd, Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd and Altel Communications Sdn Bhd.

KKMM minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah issued a ministerial order to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to open the bands to the five licensees.

TM was awarded the 718Mhz to 723Mhz band, coupled with the 773Mhz to 778 MHz band.

Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd, under Maxis Bhd, was awarded the 733MHz to 743Mhz band, plus 788Mhz to 798Mhz.

Celcom Axiata Bhd was awarded the 723MHz to 733MHz and 778MHz and 788MHz ranges.

Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, under Digi.com Bhd, was awarded the 703MHz to 713MHz and 758Mhz to 768Mhz ranges.

Altel Communications Sdn Bhd was awarded the 713MHz to 718Mhz and 768MHz to 773MHz ranges.

The order, dated May 15, instructed MCMC to immediately take measures to execute the awarding of these band ranges, subject to provisions within existing Acts or subsidiary legislation.

The order also stated that the minister can modify or cancel the order at any juncture at his discretion.

In January, MCMC had been reported as saying that bids for the 700MHz and 3.5GHz spectrum bands, meant for the roll-out of 5G, would be opened in April.

According to the Bernama report, the regulatory body was to allocate those spectrum bands to a consortium comprising multiple licensees, but not to individual licensees.

LifestyleTech has reached out to MCMC for further comments.

Binacom shall benefit from the above award.