KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 2): YTL Corp Bhd’s telecommunications unit YTL Communications Sdn Bhd believes operators should not impose additional charges on subscribers who wish to switch or upgrade to 5G from current services for a better internet experience.

YTL Communications chief executive officer Wing K Lee said 5G services should be available to all Malaysians to accelerate 5G adoption in the country.

“We believe that 5G is a level playing field for all Malaysians, it should not be a penalty (for subscribers) and (telcos) should not charge people extra just for them to be able to use better internet service,” Lee said in a press conference after launching YES 5G: The Next Chapter on Thursday.

Lee said that YTL Communications through its YES telecommunications service now offers competitive 5G prices in Malaysia, while it plans to consistently beat the prices of other Malaysian telco providers with uncapped data and speeds.

“Why do we do this? We at Yes 5G have a fundamental belief that the internet is a basic right for all. Regardless of where you live, or who you are, everyone deserves a right to accessibility and internet.

“It's not about just being the first to launch new technologies, but making sure that every Malaysian will be able to afford 5G and equipping them with the necessary tools to access 5G networks,” added Lee.

YES currently offers a 5G monthly postpaid option for RM35 per month under the 5G Rahmah Packages.

In October, CelcomDigi Bhd said that its current additional charges for subscribers to upgrade to 5G services provides the “most flexible way” for its subscribers.

CelcomDigi, together with Maxis Bhd, are currently charging up to RM20 for subscribers, depending on their subscription plans, to gain access to the 5G network developed by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) under the single wholesale network model.

Last week, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that the government is expediting discussions with local mobile network operators (MNOs) to automatically onboard subscribers onto DNB’s 5G network.

Meanwhile, when asked regarding the progress of acquiring stakes in DNB which were slated to be finalised this year, YTL Communications declined to comment.

Fahmi previously said that five MNOs — CelcomDigi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd and YTL Communications — will hold equal stakes in currently government-owned 5G network infrastructure outfit DNB.

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