PUTRAJAYA – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is in the final stages of negotiations with broadband service providers to enable wholesale internet prices to be offered at a lower rate, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
The minister said he has requested that the negotiations be concluded next week to allow for the next step, which is the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Communications and Digital Ministry and the broadband service providers.
He said that the negotiation process has taken quite some time as it involves various parties, but the outcome will result in a significant reduction in internet prices.
“I believe we are almost reaching a conclusion (following the negotiations). I expect it to be concluded by next week,” he told reporters after attending the ministry’s monthly assembly here today.
On August 7, Fahmi reportedly said that all broadband internet service providers have been instructed to lower internet prices beginning in September in order to comply with the implementation of the mandatory standard on access pricing, which would result in lower internet wholesale prices and cheaper packages.
Fahmi said the reduction in internet prices also aims to decrease the inflation rate in the country’s telecommunications sector, which has now eased from 0% to -3.7% as of last July.
“Under the unity government, we have successfully reduced the inflation rate in the communication sector. This means that we will offer internet at affordable prices,” he said.
On August 25, Fahmi reportedly said that his ministry would implement various initiatives to reduce the financial burden on the people in the communication sector in line with the positive development of the inflation rate.
Meanwhile, in his speech at the monthly assembly, Fahmi said that the ministry would host the Asia-Pacific Telecommunication/Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development Forum (ADF2023) in the capital on October 9 and 10.
“I see this as an opportunity for the country to showcase some telecommunications advancements. We must seize this opportunity to highlight the strategies we have implemented, including the successful roll-out of 5G and the reduction of the communication sector’s inflation rate,” he said.
The hosting of ADF2023 in Malaysia is part of Malaysia’s commitment as a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the term 2023-2026, after being elected to the council on October 3 last year during the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania. – September 21, 2023