CelcomDigi Secures More Spectrum to Boost Network Coverage

CelcomDigi has officially accepted the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) spectrum award, securing additional spectrum in the 2600MHz and 900MHz bands for RM381.75 million. Executed via its wholly owned subsidiary CelcomDigi Telecommunications (CDTel) on 15 October 2026, the payment secures 2x20MHz in the 2600MHz frequency band and 2x5MHz in the 900MHz band. The allocation follows an Application Information Package issued by MCMC on 14 August 2026. For Malaysian mobile subscribers, the newly secured frequencies are designated to expand nationwide network capacity, improve indoor and deep coverage, and enhance overall mobile data service quality as mobile digital demand increases.

Key Facts

CelcomDigi paid RM381.75 million to secure additional spectrum blocks in the 2600MHz and 900MHz frequency bands from MCMC.

How Will the Additional Spectrum Impact Network Performance?

The assignment of 2x20MHz in the 2600MHz band and 2x5MHz in the 900MHz band directly targets network congestion and coverage depth. The 2600MHz band adds immediate capacity for dense user areas, whilst the sub-1GHz 900MHz spectrum penetrates physical barriers to provide wider geographic and deeper indoor mobile coverage across Malaysia.

According to CelcomDigi, the new allocation allows the operator to hold a contiguous 2x40MHz block within the 2600MHz frequency band. Contiguous spectrum blocks allow telcos to deploy wider carrier bandwidths without technical fragmentation, improving spectral and capital expenditure (CAPEX) efficiency while handling higher data throughput across urban centres.

Holding a contiguous 2x40MHz block in the 2600MHz band significantly boosts spectrum efficiency and operational capacity across CelcomDigi's cellular footprint.

What Are the Financial and Regulatory Terms of the Award?

The regulatory transaction required CelcomDigi Telecommunications to settle the full statutory price component of RM381.75 million on 15 October 2026 following MCMC's formal offer. The spectrum rights carry asymmetrical validity terms: the high-band 2600MHz assignment is licensed for four years, whereas the low-band 900MHz assignment remains active for five years.

The spectrum award stems from the MCMC's Application Information Package (AIP) issued on 14 August 2026. The investment forms part of the operator's infrastructure strategy to meet accelerating national digitalisation demands without overextending capital expenditure projections.

The spectrum assignment mandates full upfront payment of RM381.75 million for tenure periods of four years for 2600MHz and five years for 900MHz.

What It Means for Malaysian Buyers

Malaysian consumers using CelcomDigi mobile plans will experience network capacity adjustments rather than administrative plan changes. The spectrum acquisition requires no new SIM cards or hardware migrations from customers. The contiguous 2600MHz spectrum will alleviate cellular throttling in dense urban zones, whilst the 900MHz band strengthens signal reception inside buildings and rural locations.

Subscribers evaluating current offerings against rival networks such as Maxis, U Mobile, or Unifi will see CelcomDigi focus on network stability and sustained throughput rather than retail price reductions. The immediate capital outlay of RM381.75 million reinforces the merged operator's ongoing integration of its legacy infrastructure.

Current CelcomDigi subscribers will see network coverage and capacity improvements across suburban and urban areas without needing new hardware or tariff upgrades.

Common Questions

When does the new spectrum assignment take effect?

CelcomDigi accepted MCMC's terms and paid the full RM381.75 million fee on 15 October 2026, with the 2600MHz assignment valid for four years and the 900MHz assignment valid for five years.

Will CelcomDigi customers need to change SIM cards?

No, customers do not need new SIM cards or plan alterations, as the 2600MHz and 900MHz bands are standard frequencies supported by existing modern smartphones and mobile devices in Malaysia.

What is the benefit of a contiguous 2x40MHz spectrum block?

A contiguous 2x40MHz block in the 2600MHz band allows the operator to deliver higher peak data rates and superior network capacity without inefficient signal aggregation across fragmented frequencies.

Sources and Methodology

Data verified against official disclosures issued by CelcomDigi Berhad and published via MCMC regulatory updates on 15 October 2026. Financial figures reflect official Malaysian Ringgit (RM) payments stated directly in corporate documentation; no currency conversions or speculatory projections were applied.

All spectrum allocation details and validity tenures derive directly from the official CelcomDigi regulatory disclosure dated 15 October 2026.