Simba Telecom's license in jeopardy over spectrum misuse allegations

source: news (news:lightreading)published 2026-10-26 14:28ingested 2026-10-27 02:55

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Simba Telecom could face fines and loss of its telecom license amid allegations from Singaporean authorities that its senior management approved the unauthorized use of radio frequency bands.

Gigi Onag,Senior Editor, APAC,Light Reading2 Min Read

Singaporean operator Simba Telecom is facing mounting regulatory pressure, having been served a show cause notice by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) over allegations that its unauthorized use of radio frequency bands was intentional and approved by senior management.

The IMDA has outlined potential regulatory actions, which include the suspension or cancellation of the company's telecom license.

The show cause notice gives the company until 16 November 2026 to explain and refute these allegations, which include breaches of the city state's telecom regulations, as well as concerns about the company's governance and compliance practices.

The IMDA's deepening probe into Simba Telecom was disclosed by the operator's parent company, Tuas, in a filing with the Australian Securities Exchange on Monday.

In its disclosure, Tuas revealed that the Singaporean telecom regulator had outlined six allegations, including the deployment of dynamic spectrum sharing of the 2100MHz band spectrum for both 4G and 5G at 133 sites for intermittent periods between 2022 and 2023, despite Simba Telecom having only been authorized to use the spectrum for 5G.

Simba Telecom is also alleged to have used the 2340-2360MHz band spectrum at 92 sites for intermittent periods between 2023 and 2026 without authorization.

The IMDA alleged that both instances were intentional and approved by the company's senior management.

Simba Telecom is also alleged to have preempted authorization to deploy 5G indoor radio access network equipment at two locations in 2023. The company is also said to have failed to comply fully with a production order issued by the IMDA, with the failure to produce documents said to be "deliberate and intentional". The IMDA has also expressed concerns about deficiencies in the company's governance and compliance culture.

Potential regulatory actions

Tuas stated that the IMDA has identified potential regulatory measures it could take against Simba Telecom.

The operator is facing a potential fine of either 1 million Singapore dollars (US$780,896) or 10% of the annual turnover of the relevant part of its business, whichever is higher.

Other regulatory penalties could include suspending or cancelling the operator's spectrum rights. The IMDA could also cancel or suspend Simba's telecoms license or reduce its validity period.

Tuas noted that the IMDA has not yet decided whether to take regulatory action against Simba or what form this might take.

"Simba intends to respond to the show cause notice," Tuas said in its ASE filing. "As the matter remains under consideration by the regulator and no findings have been made or confirmed, Tuas does not intend to provide further comment on the matters raised in this announcement."

Simba Telecom's alleged unauthorized use of spectrum came to light in May when the IMDA suspended its review of the operator's proposed S$1.43 billion ($1.12 billion) acquisition of M1 in order to investigate the matter.

The investigation resulted in the collapse of the proposed acquisition. Keppel, which holds a controlling interest in M1, is now in talks with StarHub regarding a potential deal.