Malaysia defends missing broadband discounts

Details: Manny Pham; Category: Regulation; 11 July 2023; 5550 views

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) responded to a media report criticising the body for not enforcing cheaper broadband services, since a new mandate took effect in March.

In a statement, the MCMC detailed the mandate the report was pointing to was the Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing (MSAP) which took effect on 1st March 2023.

It defended itself by highlighting how the reduction in retail fixed broadband prices can only be implemented when access agreements have been concluded between ISPs.

At the moment, most providers have or are in the process of publishing a reference access offer (RAO), and the conclusion of negotiations of access agreements will be based on published RAOs and are expected to be concluded by the end of September 2023. Price reductions can be expected after.

The regulator also highlighted its initiative to help vulnerable groups to access low-priced broadband plans. The government launched the Pakej Perpaduan Fixed Internet Broadband back in early February 2023, aimed at helping B40 group, veterans, the disabled and the elderly at a lower price, with up to 30Mbps speed. This apparently cost 22% less than existing packages with the same download speeds and data limits.