Astro to go ahead with plans to revise rates from Monday
By RISEN JAYASEELAN and EUGENE MAHALINGAM
starbiz@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Despite all the brouhaha that has arisen following Astro's planned revision of its rates, indications are it will take effect this Monday as planned.
This is according to industry sources. Astro has yet to reply to e-mail questions on this at the time of writing.
Industry experts also said the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA) did not prevent Astro from carrying out its price revisions.
Corporate lawyers familiar with the CMA pointed out that companies operating under the Act did not need the prior approval of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for price revisions.
“The same applies to all broadcasters and telecommunications operators. The Act doesn't require them to seek approval for any price changes.
“Telco's change their rates all the time as it is a dynamic industry. It would also not be feasible for these operators to seek the commission's approval for price changes every time,” a lawyer explained.
Another lawyer said that while the minister in charge had the right to intervene in the determination of rates of companies licensed under the CMA, as provided for by section 199 of the Act, that section should be read in the full context of the CMA.
“In particular, reference must be made to section 198, which determines the general guidelines for licensees to determine rates,” he said.
Section 198 of the CMA states among other things that rates must be fair and not unreasonably discriminatory and should be based on costs of the operator. It also states that rates should be structured at levels “set to attract” investment into the communications and multimedia industry.
In an advertorial published in major newspapers yesterday, Astro clarified that its price adjustment was in essence “a rationalisation of its existing packages, with the specific intention of creating more value for the customer.”
“Under the previous structure, prices were based on an add-on rate. Under the revised price structure, the more packs purchased, the greater the discount.
“Depending on the choice of package, customers could either save, experience a price increase or remain unaffected by the new price revision,” Astro said.
Astro wins again. Hats off to Datuk Rais !!!
Added on July 8, 2011, 10:55 amQUOTE(Gaia34 @ Jul 8 2011, 09:19 AM)
The trend now is what u buy today wl be very cheap tommorrow, we hv to accept this fact.What we hv now wl be an old model in just days cos new features are added so fast! U like it take it and move on!
This post has been edited by smileguy: Jul 8 2011, 10:55 AM 
Jul 6 2011, 09:21 AM
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if i can get the series 6 for rm3500 then i'll 
what is your TV model and the spec for HDMI? unless you have latest 3d model, then it will work better with 1.4
don't know why???
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