Tuesday April 8, 2008
Astro told to buck up
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Astro will not be allowed to introduce new channels until the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is satisfied with its efforts to enhance present services to its two million over subscribers.
Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said there were a host of problems that Astro needed to iron out following complaints by its customers. These include matters like poor service, billing problems and charges that burden users.
He said among complaints were a charge of RM10 for late payment, RM20 for re-connection and a fee of RM50 for services provided by the technical team. He added that another major grouse was that Astro services would be unavailable during bad weather.
Shaziman said the ministry would also want to see Astro "migrate" to the Communication and Multimedia Act as promised since 1997 before the company could introduce any new packages and programmes.
"We want to ensure Astro sorts out the present problems at hand as the commission has received countless complaints by its users, demanding the authorities take action.
"We also want Astro, which is currently offering 126 channels, to be governed under the Act, not only for better enforcement and monitoring, but also for the benefit of its subscribers," he said.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the commission headquarters Tuesday, Shaziman said Astro has until the end of the year to "migrate" over to the new Act, adding that the company had been given ample time to do so, adding the move was necessary as the Broadcasting and Telecom Acts, which had governed Astro when it was established, had since been abolished.
Asked if Astro could be forced to "migrate" to the Act, he said: "I am hoping that we do not have to resort to that. I do not know why there is a delay but I suppose the service provider feels there is no urgency to do so.
"However, I feel the time is right for them to do so now and I will see to it that the move is made this year," he said.
Shaziman also wants the company to sit down with MCMC to discuss on how best to sell its packages, saying the public could do with rates lower than the present RM39.
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