KUALA LUMPUR: The Directives and Specifications on the usage of the 700MHz frequency band, the pioneer spectrum for the implementation of the country's 5G telecommunications network, has been ordered to be cancelled, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
He said the cancellation order was issued after taking into consideration technical and legal issues and the need to follow a transparent process.
"I have instructed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman to cancel the Directives and Specifications and to review the 18 instruments which were presented to him earlier on an urgent basis," he said in a statement here today.
Apart from the 700MHz band, Saifuddin said the same order had also been issued on the usage of the 900MHz and 2600MHz frequency bands.
He said the 5G spectrum was a national asset managed by MCMC, while the management and supervision of its usage was based on the provisions of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000.
"As we are aware, the management and allocation of this spectrum is important for national development through expansion of various sectors such as telecommunications, broadcasting, science and technology, health and maritime services and the like," he added.
He said the government through his ministry was committed in efforts to develop the country and to give the best services in technology and telecommunications, high-speed broadband internet penetration and the latest and high quality ICT facilities. -- Bernama