Affordable internet access is crucial in today’s digital age as it enables people to access vital information, communicate with others, and participate in the global economy. It also plays a significant role in education, as students can access online learning resources and participate in virtual classrooms.
Affordable internet access can also provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and small business growth. Without access to affordable internet, people can be left behind in terms of job opportunities, education, and access to vital services. Therefore, it is essential for governments and organisations to work towards making the internet more accessible and affordable to all.
Malay Mail reports that the recent implementation of the Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing (MSAP) in Malaysia has resulted in lowered broadband service prices compared to the previous MSAP.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) introduced the MSAP in 2018 as one of the legislative measures to control access service providers’ wholesale access pricing.
The new MSAP, effective from 1 March, sets maximum access prices for 14 facilities and services until 2025. For instance, the price for wholesale high-speed broadband services with a speed of 100 Mbps under the new MSAP for this year is RM254.64 per month, a significant decrease from the earlier price of RM515 per month.
The Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil explained that this reduction in prices can lower the costs for access service providers to provide fixed broadband services to users.
Indirectly, services provided to consumers at the retail level can be offered at a lower and more competitive price or at a higher speed.
Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil.
He also mentioned that although Telekom Malaysia (TM) suffered a loss in the first year after the MSAP implementation, the company bounced back and recorded a net profit of RM1.14 billion for the last year.
Recently, Fahmi introduced a cheaper fixed-line internet the for the B40, veterans, people with disabilities and senior citizens known as “Pakej Perpaduan Jalur Lebar Tetap” (Fixed Internet Broadband Unity Package).
This plan will costs RM69 per month for 30Mbps with a 24-months contract and it will be available starting this month.
