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.

"Exciting times ahead for digital radio"
29.02.2016 - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia - Australia Australia
Joan Warner, Chair, WorldDAB Asia Pacific Committee & CEO of Commercial Radio Australia told the audience at the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium, that in Australia, 64% of the population is covered by DAB+ with plans to roll-out to the remaining 36% in 2017.

(radioinfo) Read more


Broadcasters must work with governments for the future of DAB+ in Asia Pacific
18.02.2016 - WorldDAB News - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
DAB+ in the Asia Pacific Region will be centre stage at the upcoming WorldDAB workshop and ABU Digital Radio Broadcasting Symposium. The workshop will take a different format this year, with a more hands-on, round table approach.

(WorldDAB) Read more


WorldDAB to be Principal Sponsor of ABU DBS 2016
29.01.2016 - WorldDAB News - Malaysia Malaysia
In addition to taking part in the conference and exhibition, WorldDAB will hold a workshop on 29 February with a line-up of international speakers. They will share first-hand experience of the various phases of trialling, planning and rolling out DAB+ digital radio services in Europe, Asia Pacific and elsewhere.

(ABU) Read more


WorldDAB at ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium 2016
21.12.2015 - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
At the ABU Digital Broadcasting Symposium, WorldDAB’s network of digital radio experts will be on hand to present case studies and best practice on all aspects of launching DAB+ digital radio.

(WorldDAB) Read more


ABU Digital Symposium 2016 Announces Agenda
17.11.2015 - WorldDAB News - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
WorldDAB has signed up to be a principal sponsor of the three-day conference and will provide a group of international speakers to share their experiences with instituting DAB digital radio services. Topics during the conference will include the integration of digital radio in connected cars and smart devices, and hybrid radio. WorldDAB will also host a workshop to help broadcasters and regulators plan the digitisation of radio.

(Radio World) Read more


ABU - ASBU Technology Workshop focused on Digital Radio
14.08.2015 - WorldDAB News - Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) in collaboration with the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) and WorldDAB conducted a week long workshop. 15 broadcast engineers coming from Algeria, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arabs Emirates, Sudan and Malaysia took part in the workshop which focused on various technological aspects related to DAB+ digital radio.

Radio and online create greatest ROI for advertisers
26.05.2015 - Commercial Radio & Audio WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
Using examples from Australia and South Africa, he highlighted the flexibility of digital radio for allowing pop up stations such as special events and festival stations that appear for a few weeks at a time on the digital dial.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more


Content is King but Distribution is King Kong: DBS 2015
15.03.2015 - Malaysia Malaysia
In a final session at last week’s Digital Broadcasting Symposium, a panel of experts looked at monetising new digital developments. In the same session, Les Sabel talked about the opportunities to monetise digital radio transmissions, using a combination of IP and broadcast technologies. “Digital radio gives stations the opportunity to broadcast more channels, bringing new revenue streams,” he said.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more


New ways to connect and interact via digital radio
05.03.2015 - Commercial Radio & Audio WorldDAB Member - Malaysia Malaysia
Radio needs to give tech savvy consumers in Asia new ways to connect and interact. Digital Radio can help broadcasters achieve that, according to the Asia PacifIc Chair of WorldDMB and Commercial Radio Australia CEO Joan Warner.

(Asia Radio Today) Read more


Staying in analog radio is a dead end: Digital Broadcasting Summit KL
03.03.2015 - WorldDAB News - Malaysia Malaysia
Transmission expert Les Sabel told broadcast managers and engineers that staying in analog transmission is a “dead end.” Sabel, a technical consultant for World DMB, was speaking at a workshop on Digital Radio in the lead up to the official opening of the Digital Broadcasting Summit, in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.

(Asia Radio Today) 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