MCMC: Avoid cellular boosters from unregistered sources

PUTRAJAYA: The public must not purchase boosters or cellular booster and repeater (CBR) devices from unregistered sources and should only get them from authorised service providers, says the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

“Failure to comply with these guidelines is tantamount to an offence under Section 239 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 or Regulation 16 under the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standard) Regulations 2000 which carries a fine not exceeding RM500,000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years or both, ” the MCMC said in a statement.

The commission issued guidelines on the purchase and use and ownership of CBRs effective Jan 1 to curb the increase in cases of spectrum interference involving the use of such devices that do not comply with standards.

CBRs are mobile network devices that add signal strength from transmitter stations as well as mobile devices.

However, the widespread and irregular use of the device by the public and service providers causes disruption to the quality of mobile and mobile broadband networks.

The MCMC also advised the public to lodge a complaint with their service providers through the official channels if they have coverage issues.

“If they are still not satisfied with the solution provided by the service providers, they can file a complaint to the MCMC, ” it said. – Bernama