MCMC Reviews Malaysia’s MSAP Rules: Unifi vs Maxis — Could Home Fibre Broadband Get Cheaper?
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission is currently reviewing the Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing, which regulates wholesale costs for fibre broadband infrastructure. This regulatory shift could potentially lower operational costs for service providers like Unifi and Maxis, creating space for more competitive retail offerings. While lower wholesale prices may lead to cheaper monthly plans, providers might alternatively choose to offer faster speeds or better promotional packages. Consumers should note that these changes are not expected to be implemented until late 2026, and any resulting savings are not guaranteed to be passed directly to users. Market analysts suggest that broadband companies will likely prioritize their profit margins alongside consumer benefits during this period. For now, it is more practical for households to choose plans based on current promotions and specific connectivity needs rather than waiting for future regulatory outcomes.
MCMC Reviews MSAP: What Could It Mean for Malaysia’s Home Fibre Prices?
Malaysian broadband users could be heading towards another major change in the fibre broadband market as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) moves towards a new review of the Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing (MSAP).
The MSAP is important because it regulates wholesale access pricing for certain telecommunications services. In the fibre broadband market, wholesale pricing can affect the costs faced by service providers that use another operator’s network infrastructure.
The current regulatory cycle follows the MSAP framework introduced in 2023. That framework reduced several regulated wholesale access prices, with the aim of encouraging more competitive broadband pricing and better value for consumers. (The Edge Malaysia)
Why Does MSAP Matter to Home Broadband Users?
Most consumers do not see wholesale network charges directly on their monthly bill.
However, broadband providers may rely on wholesale network access when delivering fibre services. If wholesale costs become lower, providers may have more room to:
- Reduce monthly broadband prices
- Offer higher speeds at similar prices
- Introduce more promotional packages
- Improve network services
- Compete more aggressively for customers
The previous MSAP cycle provides an example of how regulatory changes can affect the retail market.
After the 2023 MSAP changes and subsequent commercial agreements, Maxis reduced the prices of several Home Fibre plans. At the time, Maxis offered 100Mbps at RM99/month, while higher-speed plans also became more competitively priced. (SoyaCincau)
Unifi vs Maxis: Why Are They Important?
Telekom Malaysia’s Unifi and Maxis are two of the largest players in Malaysia’s fixed broadband market.
Unifi has a particularly important position because TM operates a large nationwide fibre infrastructure network. Other broadband providers have also used TM’s HSBB network to provide services to customers.
This means changes in wholesale access pricing can affect not only TM and Unifi, but also other providers that depend on regulated wholesale access.
The relationship between wholesale pricing and retail pricing is not always straightforward, however.
A lower wholesale price does not automatically mean a broadband provider must reduce its retail monthly price by the same amount.
Providers still need to consider network costs, customer acquisition, operations, equipment, promotions and profit margins.
Could the New MSAP Make Fibre Broadband Cheaper?
Possibly — but it is too early to guarantee a major retail price reduction.
Recent industry analysis suggests that the MSAP review could lead to lower wholesale broadband access prices, with implementation potentially taking place towards the end of 2026. However, analysts have also warned that providers may use some of the savings to improve margins rather than passing all of the savings directly to consumers. (MalaysianWireless)
This means consumers could see several different outcomes.
Scenario 1: Lower Monthly Prices
Providers could reduce monthly fees to attract new customers.
Scenario 2: Same Price, Higher Speed
Instead of reducing prices, providers could offer faster speeds at similar monthly rates.
This has happened before in Malaysia’s broadband market, where regulatory changes were followed by faster broadband packages at more affordable price points. (Scribd)
Scenario 3: More Promotions
Providers could compete through:
- Free installation
- Cashback
- Free routers
- Free months
- Higher-speed upgrades
rather than permanently reducing the standard monthly price.
What About Unifi and Maxis?
The MSAP review could create another competitive battle between major fibre providers.
Unifi has the advantage of TM’s extensive fibre infrastructure, while Maxis has historically competed through pricing, bundles and alternative network arrangements.
The previous MSAP cycle already demonstrated how changes in wholesale network costs can influence retail broadband competition. Maxis, for example, introduced significant Home Fibre price reductions after finalising its access agreement with TM. (The Edge Malaysia)
However, consumers should not assume that the next MSAP automatically means Unifi or Maxis will cut prices.
The actual outcome will depend on the final MCMC framework, commercial agreements between providers and how each telco chooses to compete.
Should You Wait Before Signing Up for Fibre?
If you need broadband now, waiting solely because of the MSAP review may not necessarily be the best decision.
Broadband providers frequently launch promotions independently of regulatory changes.
Instead, compare the plans currently available and look at:
- Monthly price
- Internet speed
- Upload speed
- Contract period
- Installation fees
- Router or mesh equipment
- Promotions
- Your actual household usage
If a provider offers a strong promotion today, it could still be better value than waiting several months for a possible price reduction.
What Could Happen to Malaysian Fibre Prices Next?
The most interesting possibility is not necessarily a simple price war.
Malaysia could see a combination of:
Lower prices + faster speeds + better promotions.
The previous MSAP cycle showed that regulatory changes can influence broadband competition, but the final benefits depend on how providers respond.
For consumers, the biggest advantage is having more choices.
NetBijak’s Take
The MSAP review is something Malaysian broadband users should watch, especially if you are planning to sign up for a new fibre plan later in 2026.
But for now, there is no guarantee that every home fibre plan will become cheaper.
The more likely outcome could be a combination of price reductions, speed upgrades and more aggressive promotions as providers compete for customers.
Instead of choosing a plan based only on the cheapest monthly price, compare the full package and choose one that matches your household’s needs.
Compare Malaysia’s broadband plans with NetBijak and find the plan that fits your budget and usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSAP, or the Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing, is a regulatory framework set by MCMC that governs wholesale access pricing for certain telecommunications network services. Lower wholesale access costs can potentially give broadband providers more room to offer lower prices or higher speeds to consumers. The 2023 MSAP, for example, reduced regulated HSBB wholesale access prices.
Not necessarily. Lower wholesale costs may reduce the cost of providing broadband services, but retail prices are still determined by each provider’s commercial strategy, operating costs, promotions and margins. Previous MSAP changes also showed that there can be a delay between wholesale price changes and retail price adjustments.
TM operates one of Malaysia’s largest HSBB fibre networks. Besides Unifi, other broadband providers can also rely on wholesale access arrangements to use TM’s network. As a result, changes in HSBB wholesale access pricing can potentially affect providers such as Maxis and other fibre broadband operators.
Not necessarily. If you need broadband now, you can compare the plans and promotions currently available. If wholesale costs fall in the future, providers may respond with lower prices, faster speeds or better promotions, but the exact impact and timing cannot be guaranteed.
Related Articles
NewsMore mobile towers can improve coverage, but they do not guarantee that the network will stay online...
NewsMore than 5,000 people gathering inside one venue can expose a networking problem that a normal home...
NewsMalaysia’s internet and communications coverage in populated areas reached 99.75% as of July 31, 202...
NewsEG Industries Reports Record FY2026 PerformanceEG Industries recorded RM1.43 billion in revenue for ...
NewsMelaka Plans to Phase Out Microwave Telecommunications LinksMelaka is moving towards a more fibre-ba...
NewsMalaysia's mobile network could be getting a new type of coverage layer — one that comes from space ...
