KUALA LUMPUR – The Communications and Digital Ministry has suggested that consumers be allowed to opt-out of 5G services, given the additional costs currently imposed on signing up for the service.
Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, has engaged with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and mobile network operators (MNOs) on the recommendation.
“The request is for there to not be any additional charge for anyone to take up 5G, (but in the meantime), one of the suggestions that the ministry has put forward is that rather than have an opt-in (procedure), we can (provide consumers with the choice to) opt-out.
“To use 5G, you need to have a 5G compatible device. Out of about 45 million accounts in Malaysia, there are currently only about over seven million 5G-ready devices.
“Even if we have an immediate opt-in, not everyone can use 5G (services) right away,” said Fahmi, adding that 5G Rahmah packages at affordable rates will allow consumers to purchase and utilise 5G services.
The minister said this when speaking to reporters after the launch of the nation’s first commercial private 5G network by Petronas. He added that he hopes for updates on the matter to be presented within the next few weeks.
Fahmi quipped that his wife was reluctant to switch to 5G due to added costs in August – a worry reflected in consumers migrating from 4G to 5G.
He then said that he would be meeting with telco CEOs to discuss the extra charges for 5G access, as some telcos were reportedly charging customers an additional RM5 to RM20 per month. – October 6, 2023