Simba faces fines or licence loss over alleged intentional spectrum misuse

Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has put six allegations to mobile operator Simba, and the penalties under consideration range from fines to loss of its licence, Simba's parent Tuas told the ASX on Monday 26 October 2026. One allegation is that Simba knowingly used radio frequency bands without authority, with senior management signing off. Tuas shares fell more than 33 per cent at the market open on 26 October, trading at A$1.21 at 9.50am against a prior close of A$1.81.

IMDA alleges Simba ran dynamic spectrum sharing at about 133 sites for intermittent periods in 2022 and 2023, which let it carry both 4G and 5G in the 2100MHz band although its authorisation covered 5G only. It also alleges Simba used the 2340MHz to 2360MHz band at about 92 sites, on and off between 2023 and 2026, with no authorisation. Separately, the regulator says Simba installed 5G indoor radio access network equipment at two locations in 2023 ahead of approval, which came on 14 November that year. IMDA further alleges Simba deliberately did not fully comply with an order to produce documents, and it has flagged concerns about the company's governance and compliance culture.

Any fine could be as high as S$1 million or 10 per cent of the annual turnover of the relevant part of Simba's business, whichever is greater. IMDA is also weighing suspension or cancellation of Simba's spectrum rights or telecommunications licence, a shorter licence period, or extra regulatory obligations. Tuas said IMDA has not concluded whether to act or what form action might take.

Simba has until 16 November to respond, and Tuas said it intends to do so. Tuas said in its filing that "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". An IMDA spokesperson told AsiaOne that the regulator informed Simba of its findings on 23 October, and said, "As part of due process, IMDA had written to Simba to inform them of IMDA's investigation findings into Simba's use of unauthorised frequency spectrum".

The inquiry became public in May, when IMDA paused its review of Simba's proposed S$1.43 billion purchase of rival operator M1. Tuas ended the sale and purchase agreement on 22 May. In September, Simba conceded it had used more spectrum than the regulator permitted, with management blaming a mix of hardware and software issues for unauthorised use of the 2300MHz spectrum. Simba began as a spinout of TPG Telecom.