MCMC may issue a direction to service providers to comply if they cannot resolve commercial negotiations to provide communication services at high priority areas in 10 days. — 123rf.com
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it has instructed telcos to resolve commercial negotiations for access to communications services in high priority areas within 10 business days, or face a direction to comply with its decision.
Following recent complaints by consumers that communication services in some areas have been delayed due to prolonged commercial negotiations among service providers, MCMC said it has developed a fast track process to address the issue.
In the event that the commercial negotiations are not resolved within the given timeline, service providers are required to escalate the issue to MCMC.
“MCMC will make an assessment on the matter and may issue a direction to service providers to comply. The decision made by MCMC is binding,” the Commission said in a statement.
The high priority areas identified by MCMC are federal and state government administration centres, transportation hubs such as MRT stations and lines, high economic impact areas (industrial parks/economic corridors), government projects identified under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan and Jendela projects.
The list for high priority areas also includes areas identified for 5G deployment and areas where there are exclusive providers.
MCMC said the initiative along with the implementation of the national digital infrastructure plan Jendela will ensure that consumers have access to communication services in a timely manner.
Service providers are required to escalate the issues for resolution to MCMC with relevant details to fast.track@mcmc.gov.my.