MCO: Telcos only permitted to perform infrastructure works in critical areas

The Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has issued a guideline for telecommunications maintenance, servicing and repairs during the Movement Control Order period. The guideline by MCMC primarily affects infrastructure works until the MCO is lifted.

All new infrastructure installation works which include digging of roads, laying of cables and installation of equipment are not allowed during this period. Installation at new customer premises is also not permitted during the MCO.

Infrastructure upgrade works are also not permitted except for critical areas such as hospital, gazetted quarantine zones, government and enforcement agencies, media centres and other related activities that are approved by the MCMC.

During the MCO period, scheduled non-critical maintenance works such as cutting of grass and cleaning are not permitted except for approved areas which require immediate action. Required diesel refuelling is permitted for 24 hours with a maximum of 3-5 staff and they must report to the nearest district police headquarters (IPD).

Fault detection, repair and restoration works are also allowed with a maximum of 10-15 staff for 24 hours. However, they also must report to the nearest district police chief. Telco warehouses are permitted to operate with under 6 staff and it is subject to the relevant authorities. Delivery of equipment and essential communication items such as spare parts and sim cards are also allowed with a maximum of 2-5 staff.

As announced previously, the local telcos are committed to investing RM400 million until Q2 2020 to improve their coverage and capacity to maintain a reliable and robust network. The network improvement efforts will be focused at critical sites as mentioned above.

Recently, Celcom, Digi, Maxis and U Mobile have installed mobile base stations to help boost mobile reception at the hospitals. On top of that, several telcos have also provided free SIMs to help medical frontliners with their communication needs.