Malaysia MCMC Technical Codes: New 4G and Aeronautical Rules
Malaysia MCMC Technical Codes Updated: New Certification Requirements for 4G User Equipment, 4G Base Stations and Aeronautical Radiocommunications Equipment
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has registered three technical codes that govern the certification of communications equipment in Malaysia. Registered on 4 August 2026, the codes cover IMT-Advanced (4G) user equipment, 4G base stations and aeronautical radiocommunications equipment:
Technical code | Title | Type | Replaces |
MCMC MTSFB TC T015:2026 | IMT-Advanced (Fourth Generation) – User Equipment (Second Revision) | Revision | MCMC MTSFB TC T015:2022 |
MCMC MTSFB TC T023:2026 | IMT-Advanced (Fourth Generation) – Base Station | New | — |
MCMC MTSFB TC T020:2026 | Aeronautical Radiocommunications Equipment – Specifications (First Revision) | Revision | MCMC MTSFB TC T020:2023 |
A six-month grace period applies, with full implementation beginning on 4 February 2027. From that date, applications for certification of equipment in these categories must demonstrate compliance with the new codes.
Regulatory Background: How Malaysia MCMC Technical Codes Work
Technical codes in Malaysia are prepared by the Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Bhd (MTSFB), the forum designated by MCMC under Section 184 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588). A code drafted under Section 185 takes effect only once MCMC registers it under Section 95 of the Act.
Codes carrying a "T" prefix are used to certify communications equipment under the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000. Certification is carried out by SIRIM QAS International, the certifying agency registered with MCMC.
These three codes are part of a broader restructuring of Malaysia's equipment requirements. On 5 May 2026, MCMC registered MCMC MTSFB TC T022:2026 – Communications Equipment – Baseline Requirements, which consolidates common requirements such as product marking, electrical safety, power supply, EMC and SAR into a single document. Product-specific codes are being revised to focus on radio and technical requirements, with baseline requirements referenced from T022. In practice, compliance now means product code + T022.
Key Changes in the New Malaysia MCMC Technical Codes
T015:2026 – IMT-Advanced (4G) User Equipment (Second Revision)
T015:2026 sets the minimum requirements for user equipment intended for use with 4G public mobile services in Malaysia, including mobile handsets, handheld, portable and vehicle-mounted terminals, RF interface cards and modems. Based on the public-comment draft, the main changes are:
New 450 MHz band (LTE Band 31): 452.5–457.5 MHz uplink paired with 462.5–467.5 MHz downlink, intended for machine-type communications and IoT applications for utilities such as smart grids and smart meters (MCMC SRSP MS 450).
New 1900 MHz band (LTE Band 39): 1900–1915 MHz TDD, reserved for railway radiocommunications only (MCMC SRSP MS 1900).
EMC, electrical safety and SAR moved to T022: these requirements are no longer contained in the product code and must be demonstrated against the baseline code.
Updated SRSP references: editorial updates aligning the band table with the latest Standard Radio System Plans.
The code retains requirements for VoLTE support on 4G devices that make voice calls (demonstrated against 3GPP TS 34.229-1 or equivalent), the use of the 700 MHz band (Band 28) for 5G non-standalone anchoring only, and the requirement that multi-mode devices prioritise 4G. Accepted RF test references include ETSI EN 301 908-1 and -13, ETSI TS 136 521-1 and 3GPP TS 36.521-1.
T023:2026 – IMT-Advanced (4G) Base Station (New)
T023:2026 is Malaysia's first dedicated technical code for 4G base stations. It defines transmitting, receiving and performance requirements for base stations used in IMT-Advanced networks. Key elements in the draft include:
Technologies covered: E-UTRA base stations, NB-IoT base stations (standalone and in-band), Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) base stations and Active Antenna System (AAS) base stations.
Conformance standards: 3GPP TS 36.141 / ETSI TS 136 141 for E-UTRA and NB-IoT; 3GPP TS 37.141 / ETSI TS 137 141 for MSR; and 3GPP TS 37.145-1/-2 / ETSI TS 137 145-1/-2 for AAS, all at Release 15 or later. Minimum performance is defined by 3GPP TS 36.104.
Band and power limits: a band table covering 450, 700, 800, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100, 2300 and 2600 MHz, with maximum EIRP values per band referenced to the relevant SRSP.
Baseline requirements via T022: marking, electrical safety, power supply and EMC follow the baseline code.
T020:2026 – Aeronautical Radiocommunications Equipment (First Revision)
T020:2026 replaces T020:2023, Malaysia's code for aeronautical equipment used in ground-to-air and air-to-ground communications for civil aviation. The first revision brings the code into line with the 2026 framework alongside T022. Manufacturers of aviation radios, ground stations and related equipment should review the published code for clause-level changes, as the full revision details should be confirmed against the official document.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before | After (T015 / T023 / T020:2026) |
4G user equipment | Certified to T015:2022, with EMC and safety in the same code | Certified to T015:2026 and T022:2026 |
4G frequency bands (UE) | No Band 31 or Band 39 provisions | Band 31 (450 MHz, utility IoT) and Band 39 (1900 MHz, railway) added |
4G base stations | No dedicated 4G base station code | New T023:2026 with 3GPP/ETSI Release 15+ conformance |
NB-IoT, MSR and AAS base stations | No specific code reference | Explicitly covered with named conformance standards |
Aeronautical radio equipment | Certified to T020:2023 | Certified to T020:2026 and T022:2026 |
Test reports | Single product-code report | Reports must map to both the product code and the baseline code |
Certifying agency | SIRIM QAS International | SIRIM QAS International (unchanged) |
What This Means for Manufacturers
Existing certificates need a plan. Products certified to T015:2022 or T020:2023 will need to be assessed against the new codes. In the last comparable transition (T020:2023 and T021:2023), MCMC allowed certificates to be renewed for a maximum of one year during the grace period, and renewals under the old code were no longer accepted once full implementation began. Manufacturers should confirm with SIRIM QAS how existing Certificates of Conformity will be handled this time.
Test reports must cover two documents. Because EMC, electrical safety and SAR now sit in T022:2026, test reports and technical files need to demonstrate compliance with both the product code and the baseline code. Reports structured around the 2022 or 2023 codes may require a gap analysis.
Base station vendors face a new formal requirement. T023:2026 gives 4G base station equipment a dedicated certification basis for the first time. Vendors of E-UTRA, NB-IoT, MSR and AAS equipment should confirm that their test evidence meets the Release 15 or later conformance baseline.
New bands open new markets. Band 31 support creates a certification path for utility IoT devices such as smart meters, while Band 39 supports railway communications. Products that use these bands should be designed and tested against the corresponding SRSP limits.
Multi-radio devices still need full coverage. Devices that also support GSM/EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or NFC must show conformance with the relevant technical codes or class assignments for each technology.
Timeline and Required Actions
Key dates
Date | Milestone |
5 May 2026 | MCMC registers MCMC MTSFB TC T022:2026 (Baseline Requirements) |
4 August 2026 | MCMC registers T015:2026, T023:2026 and T020:2026; six-month grace period begins |
4 August 2026 – 3 February 2027 | Grace period: transition to the new codes |
4 February 2027 | Full implementation; new applications must comply with the 2026 codes |
Required actions
Now: Inventory your portfolio. Identify every product certified to T015:2022 or T020:2023, plus any 4G base station equipment intended for Malaysia.
Now: Run a gap analysis. Compare existing test reports against T015:2026, T023:2026, T020:2026 and the T022:2026 baseline, with attention to new bands, EMC, safety and SAR.
Q4 2026: Confirm transition rules with SIRIM QAS. Clarify how renewals and in-progress applications will be treated during the grace period.
Q4 2026: Update technical documentation. Revise test reports, declarations and technical files to cite both the product code and T022:2026.
Before 4 February 2027: Submit new or updated applications. Prioritise products with certificates expiring close to the full implementation date.
Ongoing: Monitor related revisions. MTSFB is also revising the IMT-2020 (5G) codes, which follow the same product code + T022 structure.
Conclusion
The registration of T015:2026, T023:2026 and T020:2026 continues Malaysia's move to a two-layer certification framework, in which product-specific codes set radio requirements and T022:2026 sets the common baseline. With full implementation on 4 February 2027, manufacturers of 4G devices, 4G base stations and aeronautical radio equipment should use the grace period to update test evidence and certification plans to avoid disruption to market access in Malaysia.
