How transparent is the awarding of spectrum to cellular firms in Malaysia?

The industry is hoping that Gobind Singh Deo, the new Communications and Multimedia Minister, will relook at the way spectrum is awarded, so that only those who can pay for the spectrum and deliver the services should be entitled to use it. His move will be watched as that will determine how future spectrum allocations are made. Up for grabs next is the 2600MHz band.

MANY questions have been raised on the way spectrum for cellular companies has been awarded inMalaysia.

Political patronage appears to have had a role in some awards despite pledges for transparency in the past. Some of those who got blocks of the spectrum used it, others traded it, and some even hoarded it.