Singapore and Malaysia to Reduce Mobile Roaming Rates

Dr Rais (third from left) said on Wednesday that mobile phone users in Malaysia and Singapore will enjoy 20 per cent discount for voice calls and 30 per cent for SMS when using roaming services, effective May 1. -- PHOTO: THE STAR

Singapore and Malaysia announced today that they have successfully concluded discussions to progressively reduce bilateral roaming rates. The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has worked closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the mobile operators in Singapore to bring about these reduced roaming rates. From 1 May 2011, Singapore and Malaysia mobile phone subscribers will see price reductions of up to 30 per cent for voice calls and 50 per cent for SMSes, when they use the mobile roaming service provided by all mobile operators in Malaysia and Singapore respectively. The price reductions will be implemented by mobile operators over two phases, for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers. Both the wholesale inter-operator charges and the retail subscriber charges will be reduced to effect the lowered prices.

This milestone follows a joint announcement made by Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Singapore and H.E. Dato' Sri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim, Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Malaysia in June 2010, that both countries were committed to explore ways to reduce the prevailing roaming rates for mobile phone users.

Commenting on the milestone achievement at Putrajaya, Shangri-La in Kuala Lumpur, Minister Lui said: "I applaud the commitment of (our) mobile operators to this endeavour which will help promote greater communication linkages between our countries". Minister Lui also said that he hoped to see regulators on both sides "continue to identify new initiatives to enhance connectivity between Singapore and Malaysia".

"This is a significant effort for Malaysia and Singapore as it marks the close cooperation between our two countries. It is also the first bilateral cooperation to reduce roaming charges within ASEAN and paves the way for other similar efforts among ASEAN countries", said Dato' Sri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim.

The telecom regulators in both countries, IDA and MCMC, have been studying the rates charged by mobile operators to better understand the prevailing industry practice and charging model. As mobile roaming charges involve different price components charged by operators from both countries, any study of and regulatory requirement to reduce roaming charges required coordination and cooperation between both regulators to ensure that users from both countries benefit from the decision. With regard to the pricing of roaming data service, MMSes and video calls, both regulators are currently studying these charges and reviewing the appropriate actions.

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