Fahmi Fadzil wants Telco CEOs to "turun padang" and experience Malaysians' problems firsthand

Telecommunications companies (telcos) that are still lax in addressing internet problems in rural areas will be called upon by the Ministry of Communications together with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). According to BERNAMA, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the move was aimed at obtaining clarification from telco companies, as well as accelerating improvement efforts in areas that still face internet access problems.

Even Johor’s MCMC director “turun padang”

For your information, Fahmi said he brought Johor MCMC Director Syed Isa Shekh Alsagoff to personally inspect the situation in the area following complaints from residents regarding telecommunications coverage problems. He added:

"I see an attitude on the part of the telcos; they are being dishonest... we have data, and we know they also have data, but I think this data is not being fully utilised. The people are expecting 5G, but the speed they are using to solve their customers' problems is probably at the level of 2G or 3G," he said after reviewing telecommunications problems in Kampung Parit Jepon, Bukit Naning.

Moreover, he said MCMC would issue a notice to telco companies to immediately carry out coverage optimisation work, as there were telecommunications towers in the area, but the signal still failed to cover the surrounding area.

Fahmi Fadzil wants telco to hold their promises

Commenting on the same issue in other rapidly developing areas, Fahmi said the matter would be raised in meetings with telco companies because there were still locations that had not been included in network upgrade plans under related programs, including the National Digital Network (JENDELA).

"I came myself following the Prime Minister's instructions for ministers to go to the field to see the real situation. If possible, telco CEOs should also be with me so that they can personally experience the difficulties faced by residents when communication lines are often disrupted," he said.

Personally, we feel Fahmi Fadzil is right when he said that telcos are not holding their part of the bargain when it comes to the internet speed, coverage and performance nationwide. After all, everyone in Malaysia deserves stable and reliable internet coverage. What are your thoughts on the news? Feel free to leave your comments below.