Malaysia has issued new mobile spectrum assignments in the 900 MHz and 2600 MHz bands, strengthening the frequency portfolios of CelcomDigi and Maxis. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) formally issued the confirmed assignments on 30 October 2026, with the rights taking effect on 1 November 2026.
The two operators publicly disclosed a combined 70 MHz of newly assigned paired spectrum: 2 × 20 MHz at 2600 MHz and 2 × 5 MHz at 900 MHz for CelcomDigi, plus 2 × 10 MHz at 2600 MHz for Maxis. The awards also introduce different licence terms and financial obligations, with RM584.75 million in combined upfront fees disclosed by the companies.
The main technical development is CelcomDigi's reported consolidation of its 2600 MHz holdings into a contiguous 2 × 40 MHz position. The additional 900 MHz frequencies serve a different purpose, providing a low-band resource suited to wider geographic and indoor coverage.
2026 Spectrum Assignment Results: Operators and Bandwidth
| Operator | Band | New assignment | Licence period |
|---|---|---|---|
| CelcomDigi | 2600 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz (40 MHz total) | 1 Nov 2026 to 31 Oct 2030 |
| CelcomDigi | 900 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz (10 MHz total) | 1 Nov 2026 to 31 Oct 2031 |
| Maxis | 2600 MHz | 2 × 10 MHz (20 MHz total) | Four years from 1 Nov 2026 |
These are the assignments disclosed by CelcomDigi and Maxis under the October 2026 process, not a complete inventory of all Malaysian spectrum rights. The 70 MHz figure includes both uplink and downlink components of the paired FDD blocks.
Exact Frequency Blocks Awarded to CelcomDigi
CelcomDigi Telecommunications Sdn. Bhd. (CDTel), a wholly owned subsidiary of CelcomDigi Berhad, was selected for Lot B under MCMC Applicant Information Package No. 1 of 2026. Its Notice of Award identifies the precise channel boundaries for both assignments.
| Band | Uplink | Downlink | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2600 MHz | 2540–2560 MHz | 2660–2680 MHz | 2 × 20 MHz |
| 900 MHz | 880–885 MHz | 925–930 MHz | 2 × 5 MHz |
Both assignments use frequency-division duplexing (FDD), in which the lower and upper channels are paired for transmission in opposite directions. At 2600 MHz, CelcomDigi receives 20 MHz for uplink and 20 MHz for downlink. The 900 MHz award similarly comprises two paired 5 MHz channels.
The 2600 MHz allocation sits within the established LTE Band 7 frequency arrangement and its corresponding 5G NR ecosystem. The 900 MHz assignment sits within the LTE Band 8 ecosystem. Actual technology use depends on network deployment and the applicable regulatory conditions, rather than the band designation alone.
CelcomDigi Consolidates 2600 MHz into a Contiguous 2 × 40 MHz Holding
CelcomDigi stated that the new 2600 MHz award produces a contiguous 2 × 40 MHz holding. This is a structural improvement over separated frequency blocks: adjacent channels can be easier to configure and may reduce reliance on aggregation between fragmented holdings.
The FDD notation is important. A 2 × 40 MHz holding means 40 MHz of uplink spectrum paired with 40 MHz of downlink spectrum, not a single 80 MHz downlink channel. Network capacity benefits will depend on radio equipment, supported channel configurations, site density, backhaul and how the operator activates the spectrum.
There is also a licence-duration qualification. CelcomDigi received an earlier 2 × 20 MHz 2600 MHz assignment effective on 30 November 2025, with a stated expiry of 30 June 2027. The newly issued 2026 2 × 20 MHz block expires on 31 October 2030. The reported contiguous configuration therefore does not establish that all 2 × 40 MHz is licensed through 2030; the status of the earlier rights will need to be considered when their term approaches expiry.
900 MHz Provides an Additional Low-Band Coverage Layer
CelcomDigi's 2 × 5 MHz assignment at 880–885 MHz paired with 925–930 MHz is smaller in bandwidth than its new 2600 MHz block, but it has different propagation characteristics. Frequencies around 900 MHz generally travel farther and penetrate buildings more effectively than 2600 MHz signals, which can make them valuable for broader-area coverage and indoor service.
In a multi-band network, low-band spectrum can complement higher-frequency capacity resources. The new 900 MHz licence is valid for five years, ending 31 October 2031, one year longer than the new 2600 MHz assignment. It adds flexibility for future network planning but does not, by itself, confirm any specific improvement in coverage or customer speeds.
Maxis Secures an Additional 2 × 10 MHz in the 2600 MHz Band
Maxis also accepted an MCMC award on 15 October 2026, covering an additional 2 × 10 MHz in the 2600 MHz band. The company's 30 October announcement confirmed formal issuance of the assignment, effective 1 November 2026, for a four-year period.
The award adds 20 MHz of paired FDD spectrum to the operator's licensed resources in this capacity-oriented band. In markets where compatible spectrum, equipment and network infrastructure are available, additional 2600 MHz bandwidth can support higher traffic volumes and reduce congestion.
Maxis's exact uplink and downlink channel boundaries were not specified in the October company disclosures reviewed. The award should therefore be described as 2 × 10 MHz at 2600 MHz without assigning an unsupported frequency range or assuming that it creates a contiguous block with any existing Maxis holdings.
Spectrum Fees: RM584.75 Million Upfront, Plus Recurring Charges
The assignments involve significant payments, but upfront spectrum fees and recurring licence charges should not be confused. CelcomDigi paid RM381.75 million when it accepted Lot B on 15 October: RM366.75 million for 2600 MHz and RM15 million for 900 MHz. Maxis disclosed a separate RM203 million upfront fee.
| Operator / band | Upfront fee | Recurring fee disclosed |
|---|---|---|
| CelcomDigi – 2600 MHz | RM366.75 million | RM42 million per year |
| CelcomDigi – 900 MHz | RM15 million | RM3,500 per apparatus per year |
| Maxis – 2600 MHz | RM203 million | RM84 million in total over four years |
| Combined upfront fees | RM584.75 million | Additional charges apply |
At the disclosed rates, CelcomDigi's fixed 2600 MHz annual fee amounts to RM168 million over its four-year term. Adding that amount and Maxis's RM84 million aggregate annual component to the RM584.75 million upfront total produces RM836.75 million in identified upfront and fixed or aggregate recurring fee components.
This is an analytical sum, not a regulator-confirmed total for the whole selection process. It excludes CelcomDigi's 900 MHz apparatus-based annual fees, because the number of chargeable apparatus is not stated. It also does not include possible other assignments outside the two operators' cited announcements.
From Notice of Award to Formal Spectrum Assignment
MCMC issued Applicant Information Package No. 1 of 2026 on 14 August 2026. CelcomDigi received its Lot B Notice of Award on 2 October and accepted the terms, paying the price component, on 15 October. The Notice of Award explicitly distinguished acceptance from issuance of the final spectrum rights.
The regulatory milestone came on 30 October 2026, when CelcomDigi and Maxis separately confirmed that MCMC had formally issued their respective assignments. The new terms took effect on 1 November.
| Date | Confirmed development |
|---|---|
| 14 Aug 2026 | MCMC issues Applicant Information Package No. 1 of 2026 |
| 2 Oct 2026 | CelcomDigi receives Lot B Notice of Award |
| 15 Oct 2026 | CelcomDigi and Maxis accept awards; CelcomDigi pays RM381.75 million |
| 30 Oct 2026 | Both companies confirm formal issuance of assignments |
| 1 Nov 2026 | New spectrum rights take effect |
The published company notices describe an application, selection and spectrum-assignment procedure. They do not identify a conventional competitive auction with bidding rounds or a separately documented overall auction-closing date. Calling 30 October the formal assignment issuance date is therefore more precise than presenting it as an unverified auction conclusion.
How the Assignments Fit Malaysia's Evolving 2600 MHz Portfolio
Malaysia's 2600 MHz band has been subject to a series of operator-specific assignments and spectrum-sharing arrangements over time. Historical regulatory materials have referenced holdings or arrangements involving Celcom, Digi, Altel, Maxis and REDtone. Corporate consolidation and subsequent regulatory decisions can change the way those frequencies are held, but older band plans should not be used on their own to identify the legal holder of an individual channel in 2026.
That distinction matters for both operators. CelcomDigi's reported contiguous holding describes the current configuration, while the two components still have separate documented validity periods. Maxis's announcement confirms its additional bandwidth but not the specific channels. A complete comparison of the companies' resulting 2600 MHz positions would therefore require the corresponding current licence schedules, not simply the aggregate 2 × 20 MHz and 2 × 10 MHz award figures.
What the Awards Mean for Malaysia's Mobile Networks
For CelcomDigi, the 2600 MHz award strengthens a mature capacity band and produces a more consolidated frequency position, while the 900 MHz allocation supports a coverage-oriented layer. For Maxis, the additional paired 2600 MHz block expands the spectrum available for mobile broadband capacity.
The awards do not prove that new channels have already been activated on all relevant cell sites, that particular 5G configurations are operating or that measured network speeds have changed. Licensed holdings, deployment and real-world performance are different questions. The commercial impact will depend on equipment integration, network investment and how the assignments interact with other spectrum rights over time.
The relatively short four- and five-year terms also make licence expiry important to future planning. In particular, CelcomDigi's previously issued 2600 MHz rights have a different expiry date from its new assignment, even though the operator currently reports a contiguous 2 × 40 MHz position.
Summary: Malaysia's 2026 900 MHz and 2600 MHz Spectrum Outcome
| Category | Confirmed outcome |
|---|---|
| Regulator / procedure | MCMC; Applicant Information Package No. 1 of 2026 |
| CelcomDigi 2600 MHz | 2540–2560 / 2660–2680 MHz; 2 × 20 MHz |
| CelcomDigi 900 MHz | 880–885 / 925–930 MHz; 2 × 5 MHz |
| CelcomDigi resulting 2600 MHz position | Contiguous 2 × 40 MHz, as reported by the operator |
| Maxis 2600 MHz | 2 × 10 MHz; exact channels not disclosed in the reviewed filings |
| Total newly disclosed paired spectrum | 70 MHz across the two operators |
| Combined upfront fees | RM584.75 million |
| Rights effective | 1 November 2026 |
| CelcomDigi licence expiries | 2600 MHz: 31 Oct 2030; 900 MHz: 31 Oct 2031 |
| Assignment issuance confirmed | 30 October 2026 |
| Overall auction conclusion date | Not separately established; disclosures describe a selection and assignment process |
Malaysia's newly confirmed assignments add capacity spectrum to both CelcomDigi and Maxis and enhance CelcomDigi's low-band resources. The formal issuance milestone was 30 October 2026, with the rights effective the following day of 1 November. No distinct overall auction-conclusion date is established by the reviewed public company announcements.
For additional country-level frequency information, see the Malaysia mobile spectrum allocation overview.