CYBERJAYA, 29 March 2020 – The PRIHATIN package valued at RM250 billion, announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on 27 March 2020, was the biggest economic stimulus package ever in the history of the nation. Included in the package are offerings from the country’s telco industry.
Several packages will be offered in collaboration with various telecommunications companies (telcos), including efforts to improve telecommunications network and free Internet offerings, that are collectively worth RM1 billion.
Among the initiatives offered is free Internet with a value of RM600 million from 1 April 2020 until the end of the Movement Control Order (MCO) period. The initiatives include:
a) Celcom, Digi, Maxis, and U Mobile Postpaid and Prepaid customers will receive free high-speed internet of 1GB per day, to be used between 8am and 6pm. This will begin 1 April 2020 and will be in effect throughout the duration of MCO;
b) Free calls to important hotlines including Crisis Preparedness Response Centre (CPRC), National Operations Management Centre and Ministry of Health (MOH) state branches;
c) YTL Communications will offer free access to online learning resources through FrogAsia, 40GB free data on the YES 4G mobile network, as well as five (5) free 4G prepaid SIM cards from YES to parents of children in Government schools; and
d) On top of offering unlimited home and mobile plans, fixed broadband provider Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) is offering free 999GB LTE hotspot pass for unifi Mobile postpaid customers. Meanwhile, TIME dotcom Berhad is offering domestic voice calls for free and bill rebates worth RM240 to its subscribers who wish to upgrade their home broadband plans.
The telco industry is also committed to invest an additional RM400 million until Q2 of 20202 to increase network coverage and capacity to maintain a high and sustainable telecommunications network availability and quality. The investment will also be used to upgrade capacity and improve coverage for critical locations including hospitals, government agencies, enforcement agencies and media centres.
In the meantime, the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) will continue to be implemented to improve the country’s digital connectivity, especially in rural areas.
A sum of RM3 billion has been allocated by the government, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) as announced in the first Economic Stimulus Package on 27 February 2020 for the implementation of six projects under the NFCP (NFCP1-6) for the year 2020.
Private broadcasters including Astro and unifi TV are offering free viewing packages while Malaysians remain home in adherence to the MCO:
a) Astro
– Offering 14 movie channels and 11 news channels free-ofcharge; free channels for sports package subscribers;
– 22 free channels through the Astro-On-The-Go app as well as KIX, Nat GEO WILD, Celestial Movies and Cartoon Network channels for NJOI subscribers; and
– Astro business customers are allowed to suspend their services at no charge.
b) unifi TV
– Offering free access to all channels (more than 100 available channels); and
– 20% discount for every Video-on-Demand film purchased.
The public is encouraged to contact or refer to their respective service providers for more information on the packages offered during this MCO period.
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