GUIDELINE FOR TRIAL SYSTEMS
1. Background
1.1 The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has received many requests and applications from licensees and potential licensees, as well as potential users from among them government, corporate, business and educational users to conduct field trials, technical trials and commercial trials on new systems, equipment and applications.
1.2 The trials for licensees to introduce new systems, equipment or applications have been undertaken even before the establishment of MCMC, i.e. during the earlier regulatory regime.
1.3 For instance, the trials for IMT-2000 and DTTB systems and their applications were undertaken in 1991 and both the licensees and non-licensee were granted permission to import their equipment and devices for demonstration during exhibitions or conferences or during their own showcasing events. In all these cases, they were given "special approval" from SIRIM.
1.4 For all the above purposes, temporary Apparatus Assignment (AA) were issued by MCMC for durations of anything between 3 months to one year, with the possibility of extension upon agreement by the various parties involved.
2. Process
2.1 Definition of a Trial System
"Trial System" means an evaluation of a particular system or product over a specific period of time and confined to [a] specific and limited geographic location[s].
The term"trial" may also be applied to cases of the installation of equipment or systems for the purpose of demonstration on a regular or on-going basis; for experimentation for the purpose of research and development; and, for continuous review or assessment of technical performance or behaviour parameters of systems (e.g. transmission system) by manufacturers or vendors. These will however be confined to its limited activities, geographic location[s], the number or users involved and shall not be for commercial purposes. Where frequencies are involved, these shall be subject to the Spectrum Plan and Regulations and the conditions applied from time to time for the interim or temporary issuance of frequency under the Apparatus Assignment procedure.
2.2 Criteria for a Trial System
A trial system could be considered under each of these categories:-
(a) For the benefit of users, the people or for "national interest"
(b) For strategic business decision and implementation
(c) For consumer education, orientation and feedback
(d) For technology orientation, research and development
A similar trial shall not be implemented within the same geographic area that
has an existing trial system of the same nature, unless there are critical and
strategic reasons to support the subsequent trial application[s]. Each
application of a trial will need to specify the criteria as listed above and its
justifications.
2.3 Purposes of a Trial System
A trial may be conducted for the purposes of:
(a) Field (or Technical) Trial
A field or technical trial will concentrate largely on the areas of technical operation and performance of a system or product as well as the technical assessment of the technology. This will cover aspects such as compatibility, interoperability, safety, compliance to standards and engineering and network operational practices, as well as other related aspects.
(b) Pilot Study (Trial)
A pilot study (trial) may encompass evaluating all-round aspects of a system or product and is normally conducted with an offering for trial to a select group of users. The select audience will evaluate services offered by the trial within the time period determined.
(c) Commercial Trial
A commercial trial will involve commercial issues and may incur all or any of these commercial levies or charges, as mutually agreed for the trial: usage or recurring charges and billing, installation and commissioning costs, or rental of equipment, over the period of time where the trial is being conducted.
(d) Research and Development
Trials could also be conducted for the purpose of research and development (R&D). These trials might be conducted either by individuals or organizations, like government, universities, research establishments, companies, trade associations or learned societies. Sufficient justification will need to be provided for trials for R&D purposes.
(e) Testing of Applications and Contents
Trials could also be conducted to test new applications and contents on an existing system or product.
2.4 Duration of the Trial
(a) Short term
The minimum trial period shall be three (3) months.
(b) Long term
The maximum trial period shall be twelve (12) months.
(c) Extensions
For short term, the trial period may be extended based on the evaluation and discretion of MCMC and each extension period shall not exceed three (3) months.
For long term, the trial period may be extended based on the evaluation and discretion of MCMC and each extension period shall not exceed six (6) months.
For all extensions applied, consideration can only be made upon receiving and evaluating the submission of the status report of the trial for the preceding period and the justifications given for the requirement for extension.
PDF