The Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Bhd (MTSFB) has opened public consultation on four draft Technical Codes that will shape how telecom equipment is certified in Malaysia. Three are first revisions of the existing IMT-2020 (5G) codes for base stations, cellular boosters, and user equipment, which feed directly into type approval. The fourth is a new code setting IoT data interoperability requirements.
The comment windows are short: feedback on the three 5G drafts closes on 14 October 2026, and feedback on the IoT draft closes on 30 October 2026.
Regulatory Background
MTSFB is the technical standards forum designated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. It prepares Technical Codes, which take effect only once registered by MCMC.
Codes with a “T” designation are used to certify communications equipment and feed into type approval; the three 5G drafts are “T” codes. The “G”-designated IoT draft covers interoperability rather than equipment certification. The current 5G equipment codes (T016, T017, and T019, all 2021) were registered on 24 August 2021, and each revised code will replace its 2021 predecessor from its date of registration.
The Four Draft Codes
- IMT-2020 (5G) Base Station (First Revision) — proposed MCMC MTSFB TC T017:2026
- IMT-2020 (5G) Cellular Booster Equipment (First Revision) — proposed MCMC MTSFB TC T019:2026
- IMT-2020 (5G) User Equipment (First Revision) — proposed MCMC MTSFB TC T016:2026
- Internet of Things: Syntactic Data Interoperability Requirement — new (“G” series)
Key Changes Common to the Three 5G Codes
The three 5G revisions share several core changes that directly affect certification:
- New frequency bands added. The 3300 MHz, 3600 MHz, and 4700 MHz bands are added, along with their applicable technical requirements. Test reports will need to cover every supported band listed in the code.
- Public use of upper bands prohibited. The 3600 MHz and 4700 MHz bands are reserved for private and non-public networks; use for public IMT (mobile) services is prohibited.
- Baseline requirements moved to a separate code. Marking, interoperability, EMC, and electrical safety requirements are removed from the 5G codes and are now addressed in the baseline code MCMC MTSFB TC T022 (registered 5 May 2026). Equipment must comply with both the product code and T022, so compliance becomes “product code + T022.”
- Spectrum plan precedence. Where a Technical Code and the corresponding MCMC Standard Radio System Plan (SRSP) differ, the SRSP prevails.
Where the Biggest Impact Falls
Among the three 5G codes, cellular booster and repeater manufacturers face the most substantive change. The booster revision updates the technical requirements themselves, introducing mandatory functional controls (such as automatic gain control, anti-oscillation detection and mitigation, self-monitoring, and an automatic transmit power-off mode) and moving testing to the NR repeater standards (3GPP TS 38.106 and the TS 38.115 series, or ETSI equivalents).
The base station and user equipment revisions focus mainly on the new bands, updated 3GPP conformance references, and (for user equipment) additional evidence such as VoNR conformance and certification of each additional radio technology.
The new IoT Syntactic Data Interoperability code is not an equipment type-approval requirement, but once registered it is expected to influence smart-city and platform procurement specifications, so IoT device, gateway, and platform vendors should review it against their current data formats.
Timeline
| Date | Comments |
|---|---|
| 15 September 2026 | Public comment opens for the three 5G drafts |
| 1 October 2026 | Public comment opens for the IoT draft |
| 14 October 2026 | Public comment closes for the three 5G drafts |
| 30 October 2026 | Public comment closes for the IoT draft |
| TBA | Registration by MCMC at which point each code takes effect |
The drafts do not set out a transition period or how existing certificates will be treated, so this should be confirmed with the certifying agency.
What Manufacturers Should Do Now
Manufacturers and vendors with 5G equipment for the Malaysian market should:
- Review each product’s supported NR bands against the revised band table, ensuring test data covers the added 3300, 3600, and 4700 MHz ranges where supported.
- Run a gap analysis of existing test reports against the new bands and test standards, before registration.
- Restructure compliance documentation around two references: the product-specific code and the T022 baseline requirements.
- Submit comments through the MTSFB public comment form before the relevant deadline if they wish to influence the final codes.
- Confirm transition arrangements and the treatment of existing certificates with SIRIM QAS International, Malaysia’s certifying agency.
To read the official documentation and submit comments, access below.
How C-PRAV Can Support You
C-PRAV helps manufacturers and importers achieve global market access for radio, wireless, and telecom products, including type approval for the Malaysian market. Our team can assess your 5G base station, booster, and user equipment against the revised Technical Codes and the T022 baseline requirements, carry out the required radio, EMC, and safety testing, run a gap analysis of your existing test reports, and manage the certification documentation needed to keep your products compliant as the new codes take effect.
Have questions? We’re here to help.