Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said it was one of the considerations of current discussions to determine the wholesale ceiling price for providers of facilities and services used by telecommunications companies.

Subscribers who had paid more would be given a refund, he said when replying to a question from Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) on the rebate for those who had obtained the packages early this year.

“I have taken the approach that it should be backdated (to Jan 1). Therefore, when the standard pricing was implemented, my personal position was that it ought to be backdated,” he said.

Gobind added that he would meet with the telecommunications companies this week to continue discussions on new broadband packages following the enforcement of the MSAP.

“The deadline for all the proposed packages was July 31, two days ago. We are still processing. Many proposals have been sent to me but no decision has been made yet.

“I think (it will be done) in a while, perhaps in a month,” he said.

Gobind had targeted a minimum drop of 25% in fixed broadband prices in Malaysia by the end of the year following the implementation of the MSAP, which would see a drop in the wholesale prices of facility providers and market prices for consumers.

“At the end of the day, our efforts to reduce the price, increase the speed and ensure world-class standard of quality depend on the cooperation of the telecommunications companies.

“I am confident that we can resolve the problem soon and can announce the (broadband) packages,” he said.