KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 18): Local mobile network operators (MNOs) are not ignoring the government’s call to waive the additional fee charged on existing subscribers to access the 5G network, said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
“No, they have not [ignored the government]. So, my last conversation with the CEO of CelcomDigi Bhd, for example, he informed me that just before we signed the landmark share subscription agreement (SSA) for DNB (Digital Nasional Bhd), they announced they were repackaging,” he told reporters here after launching a new television service by Ansat Broadcast Sdn Bhd on Monday.
“So, they have announced their own new packages where they have done away with the additional fees. That's what CelcomDigi told me,” he added.
However, a quick check on Celcom, Digi as well as Maxis' websites showed that all three telcos are still charging existing subscribers — who are on plans cheaper than RM60 — up to RM20 for each to gain access to the 5G network.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has also been instructed to take action against MNOs that are still charging this additional fee, Fahmi reiterated on Monday.
“With regards to the rest, I have instructed MCMC that they need to follow through and make sure that there are no more additional charges for using 5G because the entire infrastructure — up until they signed the SSA — the entire infrastructure was borne by the rakyat’s money. So there should not be additional charges,” he said.
“We will have to take further action [if the MNOs continue to charge]. I have not checked [whether MNOs are still charging]. You can refer to MCMC,” he added.