The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued 23 compounds totaling RM1.01 million to 4 Telcos and 2 MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) on the issue of dropped calls and personal information of prepaid users leaked to 3rd parties.
In a media statement, released in Bahasa Malaysia, made no mention about the time or period of the dropped call test that was conducted. MCMC reveals that the number of compounds for dropped calls are as follow: DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd – RM180,000, Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd – RM170,000, and Celcom Axiata Berhad – RM130,000.
It is unknown at the point of writing if MCMC have conducted any network speed test to verify all the download speed claims made by the Telcos. For an example, Maxis claims that its network is “indisputably the best in Malaysia”, meets “International Standards”, with minimum 1Mbps Download Speed 80% of the time, yet it has been fined RM170,000 for drop calls, failing to provide basic voice service.
On the issue of “prepaid users registration”, MCMC said that there were incidents where personal information of prepaid users where used by 3rd party for criminal activities. MCMC made no further clarification on the “incident” such as if the Telco’s customer information database was hacked or if the Telco employees was selling personal information of subscribers to criminals.
In regards to “prepaid users registration”, MCMC issued the following compunds: Celcom Axiata Berhad – RM200,000, Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd -RM150,000, U Mobile Sdn Bhd – RM100,000, Tune Talk Sdn Bhd – RM70,000, and XOX Com Sdn Bhd – RM10,000.
Apart from the 23 compounds issued for the issue of dropped calls and the registration of prepaid users, MCMC also issued two compounds to MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (Astro) and Maestra Broadcast Co. Bhd (Maestra) for breaching the provisions of the “Kod Kandungan” and conditions of the license.
Astro was issued a compound of RM10,000 for violating the provisions of the “Peruntukan Kod
Kandungan Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia” in Part 3: “Iklan di sub perenggan 5.1, 5.2 dan 8.1 serta Syarat Standard 6 Lesen Pemberi Perkhidmatan Aplikasi Kandungan (Individu) CASP(I)”. Astro is found to have broadcasted a talk show about health products for diseases that are prohibited from advertising under the provisions of the “Akta Ubat (Iklan dan Penjualan) 1956”.
Maestra was fined RM20,000 for breach of “Syarat Khas Lesen No. 10.2 CASP (i) dan Seksyen 206 Akta Komunikasi dan Multimedia 1998”. Radio Era FM, operated by Maestra, had broadcasted contents that were offensive to Muslims in Malaysia last year.
MCMC said it is committed to continuously monitor the quality of telecommunications services in Malaysia.
In May last year, 28 compounds totaling RM1.2 million were served to Maxis, Celcom, DiGi and U Mobile. DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd received 11 separate compounds, the highest amount among the Telcos, totaling RM480,000-00, followed by Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd with nine separate compounds amounting to RM360,000-00, Celcom Axiata Berhad with seven separate compounds totaling RM310,000-00 and U Mobile Sdn Bhd was issued one compound of RM50,000-00.
For the full year of 2014, the MCMC had issued a total of 70 compounds amounting to RM2.84 million for various offenses.
[Source PDF]– MCMC Press Release
