Malaysia

Last update: 08.02.2022 - older versions

The regulator, MCMC, requested input from broadcasters in 2020/2021, to develop a position statement on digitising radio. No public announcements or information has been released.

Last update: 05.03.2021 - older versions

In this country there is

on air.

Please note:

(a)    These web pages are updated regularly to reflect current services on air, however they may not be exactly up to date.

(b)    The logos shown on these pages are for illustrative purposes only – manufacturers and broadcasters are directed here for information on implementing station logos.

There is currently one trial local multiplex on-air with 12 DAB+ simulcast services (7 from RTM and 5 from commercial stations).

Simulcast on AM / FM Exclusive on digital Total of services
DAB+ programmes 12 0 12

Last update: 03.12.2014 - older versions

Malaysia has been running a DAB+ digital radio trial in Kuala Lumpur since October 2009. The technical trial is organised by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), Telekom Malaysia and is supported by the regulator the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The trial involves one transmitter on the Kuala Lumpur Tower plus five filler transmitters in Kelang, Bukit Lanjan, Bukit Sungei Besi, Kajang and Sepang. The trial is broadcast on Band III, Channel 11B and carries 15 DAB+ simulcast services and 1 exclusive data service (EPG).

Last update: 03.10.2013 - older versions

Key features of digital radio regulation in Malaysia include;

  • Band III has been identified for DAB
  • There is an allocation for a “Digital Multimedia Services (DMS)” in the L-Band (1452 – 1492 MHz)

The first edition of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s Spectrum Plan was released on 1 January 2002 which identified Eureka 147 (DAB) as a Digital Sound Broadcasting System (DSB) and has allocated spectrum in its Spectrum Plan.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is the regulator for the converging communications and multimedia industry. There are two main broadcast groups under MCMC, Digital Sound Broadcast (DSB) and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). Both DSB and DTT have completed their standard submission for DAB and DVB respectively and the standards are now under public scrutiny. DSB proposed DAB and DMB as the DSB standard to MCMC. Due to the current development of DAB+, DSB is proposing DAB+ to the MCMC as an attachment to the previous document.

Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Communications to officiate ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2024
23.02.2024 - WorldDAB News - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications, Malaysia, is slated to officiate the opening ceremony of ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2024 on Tuesday, 5th March. The theme of this year’s symposium is ‘Navigating AI Horizon’ and will explore opportunities of the changing media business landscape and ways on how broadcasters and media organisations can collaborate to future proof their operations. At the event, WorldDAB is holding an expert DAB+ seminar, and hosting a digital radio pavilion with WorldDAB members AVT, GatesAir, Paneda and RadioDNS joining the pavilion.

(ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)) Read more


Economics, Environment, Emergency – driving the case for DAB+ at ABU DBS
08.03.2023 - WorldDAB News - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
After two years of virtual events, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Digital Broadcasting Symposium is back in person from today, at The Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. On the first day of the four-day event, over 150 delegates from the Asia Pacific region and beyond packed the room for the WorldDAB workshop: “Economics, Environment, Emergency – driving the case for DAB+.”

(WorldDAB) Read more


WorldDAB pavilion and workshop at ABU DBS, Malaysia
24.02.2023 - WorldDAB News - GatesAir WorldDAB Member - Paneda WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
WorldDAB – the global industry forum for DAB digital radio – is bringing together experts from around the world for a workshop at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Digital Broadcasting Symposium (ABU DBS) in Malaysia. WorldDAB is exhibiting throughout the event on stands 17 and 18, with members GatesAir and Paneda joining the pavilion.

(WorldDAB) Read more


ABU DBS 2023 to be in-person event after two years
13.01.2023 - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
The next ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium event will be organised as an in-person event from the 6-9 March 2023 at Kuala Lumpur. It attracts close to 1,500 participants annually, representing over 350 organisations across the region and beyond. An ever-expanding range of technologies is now on the market, providing broadcasters with important new opportunities. DBS showcases these to help broadcasters make the right decisions. The DBS2023 event, through its conference sessions, panel discussions, focused workshops and masterclasses, presented by eminent experts across the globe, will address challenges, find solutions and share experiences related to digital transition, technology implementation, creative content ideas, and enhancing user experiences.

(radioinfo) Read more


DAB+ Technical Consultation at #DBS2020
05.03.2020 - WorldDAB News - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
At Monday’s WorldDAB technical consultation in Kuala Lumpur, a range of speakers discussed digital radio and compared it with new technologies such as 5G. With this session, WorldDAB’s technical team offered an opportunity to have a one on one discussion about 5G, AI, Voice control and what these new systems will offer broadcasters, along with a chance to discuss spectrum planning, system design, build and operation for a DAB+ trial or full rollout.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more


Radiodays Asia 2019 begins in Kuala Lumpur
27.08.2019 - Malaysia Malaysia
In the keynote opening, said Joan Warner of CRA: “In one day, a listener can wake up to breakfast radio, listen in the car using DAB+, follow a radio show page on Facebook, listen on-demand to a radio podcast, use a mobile app or listen on a smart speaker such as an Amazon Echo using voice technology. To make all this happen, radio has forged new partnerships with global giants and utilised our deep content expertise to create new customer experiences."

(Asia Radio Today) Read more


Regional workshop on digital radio to take place in Kuala Lumpur
02.05.2019 - Malaysia Malaysia
The five-day workshop, which is organised by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development and will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aims to provide broadcasters and other media professionals with a clear understanding of digital radio broadcasting services. This workshop will provide expert knowledge and information on the current status of digital terrestrial radio broadcasting, interactive multimedia services, digital radio broadcasting as well as sharing some of the case studies and experiences in the process of transition from analogue to digital.

(Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development) Read more


DAB+ major focus at ABU DBS 2019
13.03.2019 - Malaysia Malaysia
Speakers at the event said radio was booming thanks to new digital audio technologies such as DAB+, that allowed for more efficient use of spectrum, enabling broadcasters to expand their service cost effectively. Speaking at the event on behalf of WorldDAB, Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner said digital opportunities could be used to respond to the changing needs of the audience.

(Radio World) Read more


Exhibitors at ABU DBS 2019
08.03.2019 - Malaysia Malaysia
Alongside the Digital Broadcasting Symposium was an exhibition of tech companies supplying the latest equipment to broadcasters in Asia and beyond, including WorldDAB, Gates Air and AVT.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more


Radio is in a golden age according to broadcasters at ABU DBS 2019
04.03.2019 - Malaysia Malaysia
Representatives of both public and private broadcasters at ABU DBS in Kuala Lumpur said digital radio standards such as DAB+ are helping the radio industry boom by enabling broadcasters to expand their range of services and their audience reach.

(ABU) Read more


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Key Information

Status: trial and/or regulation
Population: 32.2 million
Population coverage: Sparkline Graph 10%
Services: 12 DAB+
Last update: 18.02.2020

Useful Links

Radio Television Malaysia