Find ways to reduce SMS and call charges, minister tells telcos – Bernama
Telecommunication companies have been urged to find ways and means to reduce the charges and costs of using the telephone in the country, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek (pic).
"I call on them to sit down and think how to reduce the existing cost of using the telephone (conversation and SMS). Previously, it was expensive, now it should be cheaper.
"What is the point of the telco (telecommunication company), which is given the licence by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in announcing substantial profits. They should have a bigger corporate social responsibility (CSR) besides erecting telecommunication towers in the rural areas. At the same time, they must also announce cost reduction," he said.
Speaking after opening the Felda Sg Tengi 1Malaysia Internet Centre today, Ahmad Shabery said the government was committed to providing internet access facilities to the community throughout the country, including in remote areas.
He said this was driven by the rapidly changing technology which must benefit the people so that they were not left out in accessing any information rapidly and accurately.
"It is the government's policy when a reduction is made on the subsidy for certain items, the money could be utilised for many things, such as creating internet centres in the remote areas.
"This must be utilised properly and at the same time generate revenue. It must be remembered that the development of a particular nation is measured by the communication facilities," he said.
Ahmad Shabery also gave an example that previously, only the rich and village heads could use the telephones, but now everyone including children had telephones.
Commenting on the 1Malaysia Internet Centre programme, Ahmad Shabery said 424 centres had been built throughout the country (including in Felda Sg Tengi).
The centre was included in the MCMC programme to provide broad band internet access in selected areas and had been implemented in stages beginning last year. - Bernama, January 21, 2014.
