The Ministry of Communication and Digital’s request to waive additional charges for 5G subscriptions is being actively considered by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to encourage compliance from mobile network operators (MNOs).
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital, Teo Nie Ching, revealed that some MNOs are currently insisting on imposing extra fees for users who wish to upgrade to the 5G network, according to The Edge Malaysia.
MNOs justify this by pointing to their need to purchase 5G network access from Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), a decision seen as a commercial one.
Teo, responding to Datuk Mohd Isam (BN-Tampin) during the oral question and answer session in Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (8 November), stressed that the ministry, especially the minister, has repeatedly expressed the expectation that MNOs should waive these additional charges. The ministry hopes that MNOs will heed this request.
Teo further stated that the ministry, in collaboration with MCMC, will investigate measures to ensure MNOs comply with the request.
Currently, CelcomDigi and Maxis Bhd are levying fees of up to RM20, depending on users’ subscription plans, for access to the 5G network provided by DNB under the single wholesale network model.
In a separate development, Teo announced that MCMC plans to conduct network service quality audits at 4,000 locations throughout 2023 to guarantee that consumers receive a satisfactory level of service meeting the prescribed standards.
As of September 2023, MCMC has already audited 3,280 locations, and the remaining audits will occur in the coming weeks. In cases where the quality of service does not meet the mandatory standards set by MCMC, the relevant MNO will receive a notice or warning letter.
