Since 2013, FM broadcast frequency spectrum was getting heavily peaked and limited because many radio stations are using the FM band. Until July 2019, MCMC announced that the regulator was doing study of FM frequency re-planning, hence MCMC does not accept and consider any FM frequency application.
Until today, there is no any outcome about FM frequency application. In February 2021, I personally contacted MCMC FM broadcast service spectrum officer via email. I was informed that MCMC was conducting public conference about future radio broadcasting in Malaysia, then MCMC told that new frequency application is still not considered at the time being.
What I suggest to MCMC is the broadcast regulator can open frequency application to new broadcasters to apply for East Coast region (mainly Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Bharu) due to there are many available frequency slots.
For West Coast areas, the frequency spectrum is very limited and about to be full, but there are about 1 or 2 frequencies available at the moment.
In my opinion, I believe there are quite a lot of new frequency application, but MCMC doesn't consider their application at the moment. Therefore, I highly suggest MCMC to launch broadcast FM frequency tender instead like what IMDA Singapore did before.
In Singapore, the broadcast frequency application is different from us because Singapore is a small country and having many radio stations from Malaysia and Indonesia. When there is vacant frequency, IMDA will open a tender to new radio players who are interesting to launch radio station in Singapore. IMDA Singapore judges by broadcaster applicants station content/format, instead of technical criteria. So, if the applicant does meet IMDA frequency tender criteria, IMDA will award the frequency to the nominated applicant.
FM 89.3MHz and FM 96.3MHz tender was a great example. In the tender, Mediacorp, Singapore Press Holdings and other Singapore broadcasters (Rex Cinema) participated it. At last, SPH won the tender of FM 89.3MHz and FM 96.3MHz as IMDA liked their station proposals.
In Malaysia, MCMC can do this, but apply for West Coast region. In West Coast region, here are the vacant frequencies based on location where MCMC can make a tender.
* Langkawi (Gunung Raya): FM 97.8MHz
* Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower): FM 91.5MHz
* Ipoh (Gunung Kledang): FM 93.3MHz
* Seremban (Gunung Telapak Burok): FM 102.0MHz
* Johor Bahru (Gunung Pulai): FM 107.9MHz (subject to airband frequency)
I raise an example, FM 102.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok (Seremban) frequency tender.
If MCMC launches frequency tender of FM 102.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok to interesting broadcasters to use the frequency for Negeri Sembilan, the radio broadcasters can take part if they're interesting in Seremban radio market.
Assuming that if the giant broadcasters like Media Prima Audio (formerly known as Ripple) and Astro Radio take part this tender, it will become hot topic as both are competing to get FM 102.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok.
If Media Prima Audio and Astro Radio take part MCMC frequency tender, I believe Media Prima and Astro Radio will put Buletin FM (formerly known as Kool FM) and Zayan in the tender respectively.
Buletin FM and Zayan have no Seremban frequency at the moment.
When broadcasters take part MCMC frequency tender, they have to meet a lot of criteria and requirements from MCMC in order to win the tender and get the frequency. Besides that, I may think that MCMC will set up a qualification first before broadcasters taking part tender.
A broadcaster could be disqualified from the tender if its license is not nationwide, or license doesn't meet criteria.
From what I think, the frequency tender includes technical requirements (such as transmission and antenna system data), but there is advantage and disadvantage of frequency tender too.
==Advantage and disadvantage if MCMC launches frequency tender==
* Advantage: Broadcast participants can compete to get the frequency
* Disadvantage: MCMC will have more difficult decision to determine who is the winner if all participants proposal meet all MCMC criteria and requirements. If decision cannot be made, MCMC has to judge the tender winner based on station's profile and format, even content.
Usually the frequency tender is done by professional broadcast engineer for technical criteria.
I put an example, if Media Prima (Buletin FM) and Astro Radio (Zayan) meet MCMC frequency tender requirements, MCMC will feel hard to judge which one is the winner. When the decision cannot be made, MCMC has to judge the winner based on station content/format instead.
As an outsider, but a radio fans, if I'm given opportunity to choose which radio station should win MCMC frequency tender of FM 102.0MHz for Seremban (from Gunung Telapak Burok),
* Zayan (Astro Radio): Malay language contemporary Muslim radio station
* Buletin FM, formerly known as Kool FM (Media Prima): Malay language news, talk and retro radio station
Between two radio station, I will vote Buletin FM to get FM 102.0MHz Gunung Telapak Burok frequency because I believe listeners want something less slapstick and more information. However, Buletin FM has no frequencies in Southern Peninsular Malaysia region, plus FM 101.3MHz Klang Valley frequency is from Bukit Sungai Besi where is not available very much in Negeri Sembilan, even many Selangor areas. Therefore, Buletin FM should be deserved to get Seremban frequency, at least it can cover Negeri Sembilan and part of Melaka.
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