Tuas Limited says Singapore’s telecom regulator has asked Simba Telecom Pte Ltd to answer allegations of unauthorized spectrum use by Nov. 16, a case that could put its spectrum rights and operating license at risk.
Tuas said Simba received a notice to show cause from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on Oct. 23; the parent company summarized it in an Oct. 26 filing. The notice lists six allegations, Tuas said. One concerns a network setup that let the 2,100 MHz band carry both 4G and 5G traffic at about 133 sites during intervals in 2022 and 2023, although Simba was authorized to use it for 5G only. Another concerns alleged operation on the 2,340–2,360 MHz band at roughly 92 sites during intermittent periods from 2023 through 2026.
Tuas says IMDA’s account characterizes both alleged spectrum uses as deliberate and says Simba senior managers approved them. Other allegations concern indoor 5G radio access equipment at two locations in 2023, before authorization was granted on Nov. 14 that year. Tuas also says the notice alleges Simba deliberately left an order to produce documents only partly fulfilled and raises concerns about the company’s governance and compliance culture.
The possible measures described in Tuas’ summary range from compliance orders and additional regulatory obligations to suspension or cancellation of Simba’s spectrum rights. IMDA could also suspend or cancel the company’s telecommunications license or shorten its term. For the cited spectrum-rights and license provisions, Tuas said the fine ceiling would be the higher of S$1 million or 10% of annual turnover for the relevant part of Simba’s business, based on its latest audited accounts.
Tuas said the notice states that IMDA has not decided whether to take action. The company also said no findings had been made or confirmed.
In May, IMDA suspended its review of a proposed consolidation between Simba and mobile operator M1 after learning Simba might have been using unassigned spectrum. Tuas said the agreement terminated after several conditions were not met before the May 21 Long-Stop Date. Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information said in July that using frequencies outside assigned bands can disrupt other services and give operators an advantage; it did not report either effect in Simba’s case.
Simba plans to respond to IMDA by Nov. 16, 2026, Tuas said.
