CelcomDigi maintains its stance on additional charges for 5G despite calls from various parties, including the Minister of Communications and Digital (KKD) Fahmi Fadzil to abolish them.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Mohamad Idham Nawawi, explained to Berita Harian that additional charges are one of the most flexible ways for customers to switch and use 5G services.
I think that probably at this point in time, [this] is one of the most flexible ways for them (subscribers) to come in and experience the (5G) service. So, for a small amount, they can have additional capacity and then they have access to the 5G network. It gives that kind of transition for our customers who do not have enough capacity to opt-in to 5G.
Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mohamad Idham Nawawi
The Edge reported that CelcomDigi together with Maxis charges customers up to RM20 depending on the subscription plan to use the 5G network which is developed by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB).
Fahmi previously said that the government will contact mobile network operators (MNO) through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to discuss the possibility of waiving additional charges.
No ceiling cap on retail prices
Meanwhile, CelcomDigi’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Albern Murty was quoted saying that CelcomDigi’s access agreement with DNB didn’t set any ceiling prices that MNOs can charge its customers.
Murty said the current model of upgrading to 5G allows customers to make the decision to choose whether they want to try a 5G plan.
When they do that, then they get additional 4G and 5G quotas. So, we treat it as a step up of the quota in those plans. So, for us, we don’t see that as an issue and we see that that is the right way of introducing the right customers in the right segments to use 5G.
CelcomDigi Deputy Chief Executive Officer Albern Murty
Murty also explained that currently, CelcomDigi’s 5G service is bundled with the 4G network, and there is no standalone package for 5G which usually involves higher data usage.
Customers using a 4G plan will automatically get 5G if you use a high-end plan.
CelcomDigi Deputy Chief Executive Officer Albern Murty
He also mentioned that 5G’s coverage will only hit 80% by the end of this year and added that CelcomDigi wants to ensure that customers who register for 5G have the right device first.
After that, they can connect to 5G and have 5G wherever they are.
CelcomDigi Deputy Chief Executive Officer Albern Murty
