Malaysia fines telcos $61K for dropped calls

Three local telcos have been fined a total of 190,000 ringgit (US$61,000) for failing to meet accepted standards and levels of service, according to Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

In a statement Wednesday, MCMC said it imposed the fines due to complaints from consumers about dropped calls. DiGi Telecommunications was served four separate fines amounting to 100,000 ringgit (US$32,182). Celcom Axiata received three separate notices which totaled 60,000 ringgit (US$19,309), while Maxis Mobile Services received two separate fines which reached 30,000 ringgit (US$9,655).

The regulator said the amount of fines were calculated based on tests it conducted in several locations across Malaysia and more tests were being conducted to measure the quality of service provided by the operators.

In the statement, MCMC chairman Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi, said: "The telcos were given ample time and reminders to resolve complaints received from their customers concerning the increased occurrence of dropped calls lately. As the regulator of the industry, we have no choice but to fine them for failing to meet accepted standards and levels of service."

While MCMC was aware the telcos had begun upgrading and making efforts to improve their quality of service in the country, Mohamed Sharil said the operators needed to speed things up. "The public should not have to tolerate the increasing incidence of dropped calls or poor quality of service," he said.