GUIDELINE FOR APPARATUS ASSIGNMENT - Part 1

GUIDELINE FOR APPARATUS ASSIGNMENT 

                                                                       

20 May 2009

(SKMM/G/01/09) 

This document is issued as a source of information  to interested parties and the general public. This document shall supersede the previous Guideline for Apparatus Assignment which was published on 5th March 2004. The information contained in this document may be subject to changes without notice. 

Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia

Off Persiaran Multimedia, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. 

Tel: +60  3  86 88 80 00 Fax: +60  3  86 88 10 00  

www.skmm.gov.my

1.0     INTRODUCTION 

There are three types of assignment under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) viz., Spectrum Assignment, Apparatus Assignment and Class Assignment. The Minister may however exempt a person from requiring an assignment via an Exemption Order as provided under s157 of the CMA. Assignments must be consistent with the Spectrum Plan. This Plan divides the spectrum in Malaysia into a number of frequency bands and specifies the purpose for which the bands may be used. This process is referred to as the allocation of frequency bands to radio communication services. 

The purpose of an assignment is to confer the right to a person to use the spectrum (frequencies up to 420 THz). It also serves as a means to manage the efficient use of spectrum. 

There are three types of assignments namely, spectrum assignments, apparatus assignments and class assignments: 

• A spectrum assignment authorises a person to use one or more specified frequency bands for any purpose consistent with the assignment conditions; 
• An apparatus assignment authorises a person to use  one or more specified frequency bands to operate a network facility of a  specified kind or for a specified purpose  
• A class assignment authorises use by any person of a specified frequency band for a specified purpose. No fee is payable and is valid until cancelled in writing by the Commission. 

Note that unless exempted by the Minister, the CMA prohibits any person from using any part of the spectrum unless that person holds a spectrum assignment, an apparatus assignment or the use of the spectrum is  subject to a class assignment. The penalty for contravening this section is a fine not exceeding RM500,000/- or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

Apparatus Assignment

In the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000 [P.U. (A) 128], apparatus assignment has been interpreted as:   “Apparatus” includes:- 

1. Any transmitter or receiver or a combination of both including any accessory equipment; 
2. Any other device or equipment which either alone or together with one or more other devices or equipment is capable of interfering with or being subject to interference by electromagnetic radiation; or 
3. Any device which can be used for the purposes of radiocommunications-based network facilities, network services or applications services” and

An apparatus assignment authorises a person to use one or more specified frequency bands to operate an apparatus of a specified kind or for a specified purpose. The conditions that may be imposed on an apparatus assignment include the standard and additional conditions that apply to all types of apparatus assignments. The conditions for an apparatus assignment are set out in regulations 10 and 22 of the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000. 

Regulation 20 of the Communications and Multimedia  (Spectrum) Regulations 2000 states that no person shall use or operate any apparatus which is of the type specified in the First Schedule except with an apparatus assignment being duly assigned. 

While the Commission may grant an apparatus assignment to a person, the apparatus assignment holder does not have a monopoly to use the frequency or a right of continued tenure in respect of the frequency. 

The fees that are applicable to an apparatus assignment comprise of a fixed and variable elements. The fixed element is determined by equipment or apparatus type and is depicted in Table A, First Schedule of the Communications and Multimedia (Spectrum) Regulations 2000. The variable element is depicted in Table B in the same Regulations and the fees that are applicable for the three spectrum locations are in an ascending structure based on the size of bandwidth used. An application fee of RM60 per application is payable and is provided under the Second Schedule.

2.0      TYPES OF APPARATUS ASSIGNMENT

Apparatus assignments are divided according to the nature of service as provided in the Spectrum Plan. There are 6 types of services which include: 

a) Fixed 

Fixed service means a radiocommunications service between specified fixed points.  Examples of this service are line-of-sight radio relay systems (microwave), satellite earth station etc. 

Below are the type of apparatus that falls under this category. 

No                     Type of Apparatus

1               Earth Station (less than 2.4 meters)

2               Earth Station (2.4 meters and above)

3               Land Station (less than 30 MHz)

4               Land Station (30 MHz up to 3 GHz)

5               Land Station (more than 3 GHz)

6               Experimental Station

7               Press Receiving Station

8               Fixed Station

To apply for an apparatus assignment under this category, an applicant has to fill in the Application for Apparatus Assignment (s) (Fixed Service) form.

b) Radiodetermination 

Radiodetermination service means a radiocommunications service for the purpose of radiodetermination. Example of this service includes radar, beacon systems etc.  Below are the type of apparatus that falls under this category.

No                     Type of Apparatus
1               Radiolocation Station
2               Radionavigation Station
3               Radiodetermination Station

To apply for an apparatus assignment under this category, an applicant has to fill in the Application for Apparatus Assignment (s) (Radiodetermination Service) form.

c) Space 

Space service means a radiocommunications service using a space station or any other stations located beyond, or intended to go beyond, or which has been beyond, the major portion of the Earth’s atmosphere. Examples of this service include telecommunications satellite, broadcasting satellite etc.

Below are the type of apparatus that falls under this category.

No               Type of Apparatus
1             Space Station
2            Amateur-Satellite Station
3            Broadcasting Satellite Station
4            Fixed-Satellite Station

To apply for an apparatus assignment under this category, an applicant has to fill in the Application for Apparatus Assignment (s) (Space Service) form.

d) Mobile

Mobile service means a radiocommunications service  between a mobile station and land station, or between mobile stations. Examples of this service are private network walkie-talkie, cellular mobile service, trunked radio service etc.

Below are the types of apparatus that fall under this category.

No                     Type of Apparatus
1                  Mobile Station
2                  Land Mobile Station
3                  Aeronautical Mobile Station
4                  Mobile Earth Station
5                  Maritime Mobile Earth Station
6                  Aeronautical Mobile Earth Station
7                  Experimental Station6
8                  Ship Station
9                  Remote Controlled Station
10                Private Use Station
11                Paging Base Station
12                Cellular Radio Base Station
13                Leased Channel Radio Base Station
14                Trunked Radio Base Station
15                Cordless Base Station
16                Coast Station
17                Wireless Alarm Station
18                Aircraft Station
19                Aeronautical Fixed Station


To apply for an apparatus assignment under this category, an applicant has to fill in the Application for Apparatus Assignment (s) (Mobile Service) form.