Background

Wireless Communication Centre (WCC) started in 1989 as Wireless Communication Research Laboratory (WCRL).

In June 2003, WCRL was upgraded to the status of Centre of Excellence (CoE) by the Ministry of Education (MoE) Malaysia. WCC focusses on research, products commercialization, contract research and consultancy services. WCC works closely with both local and international telecommunication operators, manufacturers and regulators including Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), Ministry of Defense Malaysia, Malaysia Centre of Remote Sensing (MACRES), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), SIRIM, Petronas, Maxis, Celcom, MIMOS, ATSB and ANGKASA. WCC has also played a vital leading role in International Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000) standardization activities in Malaysia. In November 2014, WCC reached another important recognition with the MoE awarding the status of Higher Institutional Centre of Excellent (HICoE). WCC currently focuses its resources to future 5G wireless communications, in particular on the research and development (RnD) of 5G antenna and propagation.

Currently, WCC is focusing on research, products commercialisation, contract research and consultancy services. Most of the researches are fully funded by grants from Science Fund, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), research university grant and MCMC. Previously, WCC has been funded by government bodies such as Ministry of Science, Technologies and Innovation (MOSTI), Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and MCMC. Additionally, the centre also received funds from the private sector such as telecommunication operators (Maxis, Celcom) and international telecommunication industry such as Ericsson Telecommunication, Nippon Telephony Telegraphy and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

WCC has played a vital leading role in International Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000) standardisation activities in Malaysia. In 2011, WCC embarked on another milestone by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The MoU seeks to provide a foundation of cooperation related to research, development and training in four areas including Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, Wireless Industry Emission, IP Multimedia Subsystem in Mobile Network and Convergence between Mobile and Broadcasting Technology. Furthermore, under this MoU, the relevant lab related to those areas will be setup in WCC funded by MCMC.

Various efforts have been taken in order to increase the awareness and understanding among players in local industries about the emerging wireless communication technologies. With the ultimate goals are to become a world-class CoE in wireless communication engineering and one of the very best research hubs for wireless technology in nation, WCC strategised in playing more dynamic and proactive role in both local and international level in years to come.

Vision

To be a world class centre for research, development and commercialisation in wireless communication.

Mission

To lead a wireless technology research, development and commercialisation concurrent with national aspiration.

Objective

Wireless communication plays very important role within commercial, business and public sectors in almost all industrialised part of the world. Therefore, WCC has been established based on the objectives as stated below:

• To stimulate, encourage and enhance the quality of research development and commercialization in wireless communication.
• To conduct contract research and consultancy services for government and telecommunication industries related to wireless communication.
• To use latest facilities in order to provide technical training programs in the field of wireless communication.