PUTRAJAYA – The Communications and Multimedia Ministry has directed the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to carry out mapping nationwide and measure the actual levels of internet speed, for comparison with reports prepared by telecommunication companies.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that many people, especially in rural areas, still complained about the current quality of services provided by telecommunication companies.
“I want MCMC to map the nation, do a performance audit of the level of achievement and compare with what the telcos have done,” he said while speaking at the ministry’s 2021 Excellence Service Awards ceremony, here today.
“I want MCMC to issue what is stipulated in the constitution, namely the commissioner’s directive and, if necessary, the minister’s directive, to the companies concerned, as the directive requires those who do not reach the level we want to improve the quality of their services,” added Annuar.
Annuar said that the agencies under his ministry, especially MCMC, needed to take a new and more aggressive approach to solve the problems faced by the people.
“In our country, in terms of services, we give to companies while the government issues licences. If the company says it can’t do it, then when I look at the general profit gained every year, where does the profit come from? The profit must come from the users of their services.
“I’m not anti-profit, it’s okay to make a profit but please invest back and fix the problems of the people in the village who climb trees and mountains (just to get internet access).
“How much longer can we hear about this problem?” he asked.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Annuar said his ministry received a lot of feedback from the people about the quality of internet access and mobile broadband services, as some areas have low internet speeds while some areas only have services from certain telecommunication companies.
In this regard, he urged telecommunication companies to reinvest from the profits gained to help the government solve the connectivity problem.
“We also know at the service provider level, they act largely based on commercial needs because they are business entities. Hence, there is a gap between the elements of public interest and business-based considerations. It is the responsibility of the government and MCMC to ensure the gap is not too wide.
“They have already invested, but I ask for an increase so that they can together help the government solve the people’s problems,” he said.
Apart from the construction of new telecommunication towers under the National Digital Network, telecommunication companies are encouraged to invest in upgrading the existing towers, he said.
In another development, Annuar said that negotiations on a service agreement between the telecommunication companies and Digital Nasional Bhd for the implementation of the country’s 5G network were still ongoing.
“I have high confidence that all the telcos do not want to be left behind in providing 5G, which is why we take the policy of inviting everyone to come on board, but we cannot force them to join.
“We will continue with any company that participates in rolling out 5G. If the number of companies is not enough, I will issue licences to new players. I’m not going to wait for anybody. I did say, please think about the importance of the national interest.
“We want to roll out 5G according to plan and the government has given space for existing players to come on board. Hence, we have set a dateline (June 30) which we feel is more than enough. Let them complete the negotiation,” he said. – Bernama, June 14, 2022
