Fahmi: Almost 10.07 million subscribers as of Jan 31
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has recorded almost 10.07 million 5G service subscriptions, representing an adoption rate of 29.9% as of Jan 31, says Fahmi Fadzil.
However, the Communications Minister said all mobile network operators must be more sensitive and responsible towards the needs of their users in the future.
“With greater speed and technology also comes responsibility. So my wish is that all mobile network operators will also be more sensitive to the needs of our users.
“We have to provide fast, reliable and cheaper Internet as well as better technology, but this must also come with better service,” he said in his speech at the Maxis 5G-Advanced Trial Showcase here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Besides the showcase, the Maxis 5G-Advanced trial will also be part of the Malaysian Pavilion at the Mobile World Congress (MWC 2024) to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from Feb 26 to 28.
At a media conference later, Fahmi said all telecommunication companies (telcos) in Malaysia will participate in the congress, along with several other local companies.
He said this would mark the first time that the country is participating with the involvement of all telcos under one pavilion.
“This is expected to be the country’s largest attendance at MWC. The delegation involves all telcos and a number of other companies,” he said.
Improving service: Fahmi (centre) taking part in a gimmick at the Maxis 5G-Advanced Trial Showcase in Kuala Lumpur. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Fahmi also said mobile network operators (MNOs) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are expected to hold a meeting to discuss the mandatory standards for the quality of experience.
“We pay a lot but when we enter a building, there is no 5G. So we must work together to overcome a lot of these challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said his ministry has proposed to develop a basic system so that news owners or content creators can lodge complaints if their content is used without permission.
He said this was because news material that was taken and “copied” and then uploaded without permission would result in the information being misinterpreted or altered.
“I see that we need a basic system where the original owners of the news can make complaints, for example, to the MCMC so that action can be taken.
“A simple system can be developed so that copyright content can be ensured for those who have produced it,” he said.
On another issue, Fahmi emphasised that the latest version of the Malaysian Code of Ethics for Journalists would not restrict media freedom in the country.
He pointed out that some of the comments on the revised version of the code were unfair towards the Information Department (JaPen) and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), which drafted it.
“If you were to look at the original code of ethics, it includes phrases like to curb communism, which no longer is an issue in Malaysia.
“If you compare (the original and the revised codes), they are almost the same.
“The preamble is the same; there are still eight key points in the document. Nothing to do with curbing media freedom,” he added.
Fahmi said it was necessary to update the code, especially in the era of artificial intelligence, blogs and online media, which did not exist when the original code was introduced.
