PUTRAJAYA: Communications and Digital Ministry has kicked off the latest 5G Rahmah package, complete with device, for all Malaysians, with additional incentives for low income groups and civil servants.
Its minister Fahmi Fadzil said the 5G Rahmah package with device is available from August 31, 2023 to December 31, 2023 while the Rahmah postpaid incentive for civil servants will start from September 16, 2023.
Both of the Rahmah packages are part of the collaboration between the ministry and five telecommunication companies (telcos) which comprise CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, Telekom Malaysia (TM) Bhd, YTL Communications Sdn Bhd (Yes) and U Mobile.
For the 5G Rahmah package is a device bundle that comes with 5G smartphone device of two mobile phone brands: Samsung A14 5G or Honor 90 Lite 5G along with data plan.
The device is priced at RM240 while the postpaid plan is RM60 per month with a minimum data of 60GB.
"This is just the basic specification for the 5G Rahmah package. I would like to emphasise that telcos are given the opportunity to come up with better offers based on each companies' marketing strategies.
"For example telcos can offer lower pricing range for the smartphone device which is lower than RM240 or monthly payment for postpaid plan that is lower than RM60 or to offer data quota of more than 60GB per month," he said during his speech at the launching of the 5G Rahmah packages.
On device warranty, Fahmi said the ministry has established a strategic partnership with smartphone manufacturer Samsung and Honor to increase the warranty period from 12 months to 24 months.
This makes the total warranty period for the device to be aligned with the contract period.
"It is part of the package's benefit compared to other device bundle contracts that only offer smartphone warranty for only 12 months for 24 months contract," he said.
As for the subsidy for low income group (B40), Fahmi said under the 5G Rahmah Package, 100,000 first customers from the B40 group are entitled to receive a subsidy of RM120 for smartphone purchase.
"The subsidy is only applicable to one 5G Rahmah package. The second smartphone purchase and onwards under the same package will be at RM240," he added.
On the same package for civil servants, Fahmi said all government employees on all levels (federal, state and local authorities) will be able to enjoy RM10 rebate across 12 months for postpaid packages that cost RM60 and above.
He reminded that the package must adhere to terms and conditions set by the telcos involved.
The incentive package can be divided into two, one for civil servants who are new customers who subscribed to postpaid plans worth RM60 and above from any telcos.
The second category is for any civil servants who have already subscribed to any postpaid package worth RM60 and above, which are not tied to any contract.
"If the postpaid package is tied to some contract, this matter has to be clarified with the respective telcos to oversee the applicant's eligibility to apply for the incentive," he said.
Fahmi also revealed that the ministry is in talks with telco companies to finalise some details before the launch which is anticipated to happen in September.
He said the package for media practitioners will be in the form of one month rebate off mobile phone bill.
"This new package will involve approximately 10,000 media practitioners who are registered and hold the media pass issued by the ministry.
"I'm sure the telco leadership are on board with this idea," he said in keynote speech at the launch of The 5G Rahmah package and postpaid incentive for civil servants.
He said the rebate for the media is part of a tribute by the government to media practitioners that has facilitated in explaining to Malaysians about the Rahmah initiative under the Malaysia Madani concept.
"More details will be revealed soon after ironing out the details with the telcos involved which include TM (Unifi Mobile), CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile dan YTL Communications (Yes)," he added.
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/business/2023/08/948707/government-launches-5g-rahmah-package-complete-device