Making high-speed internet more affordable for Malaysians

By Digital News Asia August 21, 2018

Two factors that will drive this push are service availability and end-consumer affordability
Malaysia is 74 out of 167 countries for fixed broadband services in terms of price per Mbps

Making high-speed internet more affordable for Malaysians

THE development of internet connectivity in Malaysia requires a concerted effort from all industry players in building a better digital community.

While the rollout of broadband in Malaysia focuses on “Internet for all”, two of the main factors that will drive this push towards a connected nation are service availability and end-consumer affordability.

The Communications and Multimedia Consumer Forum of Malaysia (CFM) supports all efforts and initiatives taken by the various service providers in ensuring that the consumers in Malaysia are given priority in the provision of their services to the general public.

Nonetheless, CFM continues to receive considerable grievances and complaints from consumers through social media and the complaint portal about pricing and unfair practice on fixed broadband services (high-speed broadband and fixed broadband).

Based on the Malaysia Economic Monitor report for June 2018 by The World Bank, it is stated that consumers in Malaysia are spending more on high-speed broadband access compared to consumers in other countries.

The research finds that Malaysia ranked 74 out of 167 countries for fixed broadband services in terms of price per Mbps. Malaysia is behind neighbouring country, Vietnam and countries with similar levels of economic development, such as Mexico and Turkey.

As a forum that prioritises consumers’ rights and supports the development of the communications and multimedia industry in Malaysia, CFM has conducted an online poll in July to find out consumers' preferences on the use of broadband services in Malaysia where a total of 1,800 people participated in this exercise.

The findings show that 67.55% of users chose fixed broadband internet package with an unlimited quota at a speed of 100 Mbps for RM89 per month as an ideal package that satisfies their needs.

Further to this, 50.8% consumers had internet subscriptions ranging from RM100 to RM200 while 85.8% consumers are dissatisfied with their current internet speed.

The poll result also shows that consumers in Malaysia are looking forward to enjoying high-speed broadband internet services at more affordable prices with speeds that are acceptable for home use. To view the full result of the poll, please click here.

“As a proactive consumer forum tasked to engage and conduct research on matters within the jurisdiction of CFM, we will continue to gather opinions from the public that will provide a meaningful insights for CFM and related stakeholders for the improvement of the industry,” said CFM chairman Mohamad Yusrizal Yusof.

Meanwhile, CFM also supports the proposition made by the Minister of Communications and Multimedia Gobind Singh Deo for service providers to offer rebates to existing customers so that the new reduced prices can be enjoyed by their loyal customers.

CFM believes that consumers have the right to better quality internet access that can help shape Malaysia into an advanced information society.

These efforts can be achieved through better cooperation between all relevant stakeholders and the industry players, who together play a very important role in the development of the internet connectivity in the country that will help shape the future of Malaysia's digital landscapes.