IMDA escalates Simba probe over intentional spectrum misuse at more than 100 sites; operating licence at risk

The telco has been given until November 16 to respond to the notice served by the Infocomm Media Development Authority.

Published Oct 26, 2026, 09:59 AM

Updated Oct 26, 2026, 10:01 AM

SINGAPORE - Probes into Simba Telecom have escalated with fresh allegations that its unauthorised use of radio frequency bands were intentional, and had been approved by the firm’s senior management.

In an Australian Securities Exchange filing on Oct 26, its parent company Tuas said that Simba had been issued a Show Cause Notice from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to explain and debunk the fresh allegations, failing which the telco could face a fine or lose its licence to operate.

The unauthorised spectrum use, first disclosed in May, contributed to the collapse of its proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of M1.

Among the fresh allegations include Simba having deployed dynamic spectrum sharing to about 133 sites for intermittent periods in 2022 and 2023, allowing the use of 2,100 megahertz band spectrum for both 4G and 5G, when Simba was only authorised to use the 2,100 MHz band spectrum for 5G.

Radio frequency bands, or spectrum, are invisible airwaves that carries signals that communication systems rely on. IMDA allocates and assigns spectrum frequencies to mobile operators for their dedicated use, and telcos are allowed to use only the spectrum frequency assigned to them.

The telco is also alleged to have used the 2,340 MHz to 2,360 MHz band spectrum without authorisation at about 92 sites for intermittent periods between 2023 and 2026.

These instances are alleged to have been intentional and approved by Simba’s senior management.

Other fresh allegations by IMDA include the unauthorised deployment of 5G network equipment at two locations in 2023, failure to comply with a production order issued by IMDA, and a “deliberate and intentional” failure to produce documents, which have led to concerns about deficiencies in Simba’s governance and compliance culture.

The telco has been given until November 16 to respond to the notice.

The IMDA also said Simba faces a possible spectrum rights suspension or cancellation, and/or a fine of up to $1 million or 10% of Simba’s annual Singapore revenue, whichever is higher.

IMDA may also cancel or suspend Simba’s telco licence or a part of it, or reduce the period for the licence.

Tuas said Simba intends to respond to the IMDA notice by the required Nov 16 deadline.

“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,” Tuas said in its bourse filing.

Tuas shares plummeted over 33% after markets opened on Oct 26. It traded at AUD$1.21 as of 9.50am, down from its previous closing price of AUD$1.81.

The investigation into Simba Telecom became public in May, when IMDA suspended its review of the telco’s $1.43 billion bid for M1’s telecommunication business, citing unauthorised use of radio frequency bands.

In September, the telco admitted that it had used spectrum beyond the limits permitted by the regulator, with management attributing unauthorised usage of the 2,300 MHz spectrum to a combination of hardware and software issues. It did not give further details.

IMDA/Infocomm Media Development Authority

电信公司需在11月16日前对资讯通信媒体发展管理局发出的通知作出回应。

发布于 2026 年 10 月 26 日上午 9:59

更新于2026年10月26日上午10:01

新加坡——针对 Simba Telecom 的调查升级，新的指控称该公司未经授权使用无线电频段是故意的，并且得到了该公司高级管理层的批准。

10 月 26 日，其母公司 Tuas 在提交给澳大利亚证券交易所的文件中表示，Simba 已收到新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局 (IMDA) 的责令说明通知，要求其解释并驳斥新的指控，否则该电信公司可能面临罚款或失去运营许可证。

该公司未经授权使用频谱的行为最早于 5 月份披露，这导致了其以 14 亿美元收购 M1 的交易最终失败。

最新指控包括：Simba 在 2022 年和 2023 年期间，间歇性地向约 133 个站点部署了动态频谱共享，允许将 2,100 兆赫频段频谱同时用于 4G 和 5G，而 Simba 仅被授权将 2,100 MHz 频段频谱用于 5G。

无线电频段，或称频谱，是不可见的无线电波，承载着通信系统赖以生存的信号。新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局（IMDA）负责分配频谱频率给移动运营商，供其专用，电信运营商只能使用分配给他们的频谱频率。

据称，该电信公司在 2023 年至 2026 年期间，在约 92 个地点未经授权间歇性地使用了 2,340 MHz 至 2,360 MHz 频段频谱。

据称，这些事件都是故意的，并得到了辛巴公司高层的批准。

IMDA 提出的其他新指控包括：2023 年在两个地点未经授权部署 5G 网络设备、未能遵守 IMDA 发出的生产令，以及“故意”未能提供文件，这些指控引发了人们对 Simba 公司治理和合规文化缺陷的担忧。

该电信公司需在11月16日前对该通知作出回应。

新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局 (IMDA) 还表示，Simba 可能面临频谱使用权暂停或取消，和/或最高 100 万美元或 Simba 在新加坡年收入的 10% 的罚款，以较高者为准。

IMDA 也可能取消或暂停 Simba 的电信牌照或其部分牌照，或缩短牌照有效期。

Tuas表示，Simba打算在11月16日截止日期前对IMDA的通知作出回应。

“由于监管机构仍在审查此事，尚未作出任何调查结果或确认任何结论，大士集团不打算就本公告中提出的事项提供进一步评论，”大士集团在其交易所文件中表示。

10月26日开盘后，大士股价暴跌超过33%。截至上午9点50分，其股价为1.21澳元，低于前一日收盘价1.81澳元。

对 Simba Telecom 的调查于 5 月公开，当时 IMDA 暂停了对这家电信公司以 14.3 亿美元收购 M1 电信业务的竞标的审查，理由是该公司未经授权使用无线电频段。

9月份，这家电信公司承认其使用的频谱超出了监管机构允许的范围，管理层将未经授权使用2300MHz频谱归因于硬件和软件问题的综合影响，但未提供更多细节。

新加坡资讯通信媒体发展局/IMDA