Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil says that despite being allowed to operate in Malaysia, the 100% foreign-owned entity Starlink Malaysia must comply with licensing conditions under the law.
The Star quoted the Minister who said that exceptions to equity ownership must be justified for consideration by both the ministry as well as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
It’s reported that Starlink Malaysia will still have to comply with the licence conditions which are: the requirement to ensure the security of information, network reliability as well as its integrity by adhering to security standards, codes, directives, and the guidelines issued under relevant laws.
Starlink is not the only foreign entity that was given leeway as the same considerations had been given to three other companies:
- NTT MSC Sdn Bhd
- AT&T Worldwide Network Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd
- BT Systems (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
These three companies also operate globally in several countries and still hold licences under Act 588 to date. Therefore, the approach of allowing 100% foreign equity ownership is not a new one and has been implemented since as early as 2010.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil
He also said several factors were considered before giving Starlink the green light which includes providing internet coverage in rural areas.
Fahmi said this in a parliamentary written reply to Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong who asked the ministry to provide the reason behind the easing of the foreign equity ownership requirements and the issuance of a 10-year operating licence to Starlink Malaysia and the impact on the country’s national cybersecurity policy and the estimated cost for the utilisation of the Starlink project.
To ensure that the services provided by Starlink Malaysia do not compromise the country’s economic sovereignty and support the inclusivity concept for all Malaysians in promoting the digital economy, engagement sessions have been conducted with the Defence Ministry, National Cyber Security Agency, Malaysian Space Agency, Home Ministry, Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil
The government conducted test runs on Starlink
Through MCMC, a proof of concept (POC) is conducted by the government for the installation of Starlink satellite devices in 40 selected locations in the country that aims to determine whether their broadband services can be considered as an initial solution to address connectivity issues in areas including schools, universities and remote locations, Fahmi said.
He added that 10 High-Performance (HP) Starlink kit devices were obtained from Starlink Malaysia for the POC.
The Starlink HP device package with a priority subscription allows users to achieve a maximum download speed of up to 350Mbps and upload speed of up to 40Mbps. The acquisition cost for this Starlink satellite service is valued at RM190,841.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil
