PETALING JAYA: Telecommunications companies are coming out strongly to tell their customers that nothing changes although the Government wants to withdraw the 2.5G and 3.5G spectra awarded earlier.
Maxis Communications Bhd chief operating officer Jon Eddy Abdullah in a statement yesterday said “the withdrawal of 2.5GHz and 3.5Ghz spectra will have no immediate material impact on Maxis customers.”
“Our commercial services currently operate within our 2G and 3G spectrum allocations, which are more than adequate to meet market demand in the foreseeable future and are not related to the spectra in question,” he said.
He added that the 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz spectra played an important part in the long-term evolution of the broadband plan, not just for Maxis, but also for the industry as a whole.
“We are hopeful that the ministry and the Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will also work with the industry in the development of these bands in alignment with international standards, and ultimately, to support the nation’s broadband mission,” he added.
On Tuesday, Time dotCom Bhd (TDC) and DiGi.Com Bhd said both parties were “moving ahead to pool their resources spanning infrastructure and 3G services.”
Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said on Monday the Government would withdraw the 2.5Ghz and 3.5GHz broadband spectra assigned to telcos in a move to reduce the number of players.
Several companies that had the spectra had failed to roll out services and telcos are given up to five years to wind down their services.
There are several reasons for this, especially the 3.5GHz spectrum, which interferes with satellite services. But there are also operators who are just sitting on their prized commodity. The spectra, if withdrawn, could be better utilised.
The MCMC has conducted a study on the viability of the withdrawal thus the minister’s announcement of the withdrawal.