Gobind: Action against telcos that fail to reduce price by month-end

Strict action will be taken against telecommunications companies that fail to announce revised prices for their packages by the end of the month, said Gobind Singh Deo.

According to the Communications and Multimedia Minister, to date, only two telcos – Maxis and Telekom Malaysia – have adhered to the ministry’s Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing (MSAP) to review their broadband packages.

He said these new, lower-priced packages, which are expected to be rolled out by the end of the year, will see broadband users to at least enjoy a 25% price reduction.

“MSAP came into force on June 8 and we initially gave a deadline of July 31 (for companies to announce their new packages), but there have been calls to extend it, so we agreed to postpone until Aug 31.

“I will look at all the packages that have been proposed by the companies at the end of the month. If there are any telcos that refuse to comply with the MSAP, then action will be taken. I’m serious about this.

“We will not entertain any non-compliance. Otherwise, we will never move forward.

“We want to move ahead, and I expect all telcos to cooperate to make sure the government’s goal is achieved,” he told reporters after officiating the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) meeting, here today.

Gobind had, on his first day in office as minister in May, announced his goal to achieve broadband connections that are “double the speed, half the price” for the people.

He said while he understood that improving broadband service in the country would not come overnight, the government remained committed to place it on par with neighbouring countries like Singapore and Thailand.

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2018/08/27/gobind-action-against-telcos-fail-reduce-price-month-end