19/03/2026
THIS STRUCTURE CONNECTS YOU TO THE WHOLE WORLD
This is a Base Transceiver Station (BTS).
I captured this photo of the BTS in Kluang, Johor. It is located near the hotel where I was staying.
This BTS is installed on the rooftop of a building or in an elevated location.
This is what carries your voice communications, your messages, your social media comments, and your web searches across the world.
In areas with large open spaces, telecommunication towers are used. However, in urban areas, BTS structures are used and are typically placed in locations such as rooftops.
In Malaysia, from operational routine, to construct a BTS structure like this, the BTS owner must enter into a tenacy agreement with the building owner.
The space allocated for the BTS must be clearly specified in the tenancy agreement, including its perimeter measurements and a schematic site drawing.
Typically, the tenancy for a BTS site also includes the rental of an equipment room, which houses other telecommunications equipment.
In addition, the BTS owner must obtain permits or approvals from the local authority before commencing any construction, as required under the Local Government Act 1976, Town and Country Planning Act 1976, Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 and its subsidiary legislation.
Approvals must also be obtained from other relevant authorities such as the Fire Department, the Civil Aviation Authority, and others.
These permits must be renewed annually. If they are not renewed, the local authority has the right to issue a demolition order and impose fines on the BTS owner.
Let me explain, in layman’s terms, the telecommunications components found in this BTS.
The vertical rectangular panels at the top are called antennas.
Below the antennas are other components known as Remote Radio Units (RRU), which are installed close to the antennas.
There are feeder and fiber cables running downwards, connected to an equipment room or cabinet.
This equipment cabinet or room houses other devices such as routers and also serves as the point where the power supply for the BTS is managed.
The dish-shaped equipment is called a microwave dish, which is used to transmit data or telecommunications frequency waves.
This BTS functions to transmit and receive telecommunication signals (voice and data) to be delivered to the intended telecommunications destinations.
This is what carries your communications across the world.
Dr. Sharen Alzalip
Managing Partner,
Messrs Sharen Alzalip & Co.
19 March 2026
Kluang, Johor, Malaysia
www.sharenalzalip.com
Industrial Insights | Legal Precision
Telecommunication, Media & Technology Law Firm.
*If you have any issue or matter relating to Telecommunication, Media & Technology (TMT) particularly on telecommunications laws, please contact the writter for consultation.
This is an informative article and it is not intended to be legal advice.
