YTL: Full adoption of 4G by end-2021

The Malaysian Reserve, December 16, 2020

YTL Communications Sdn Bhd expects all of its customers to adopt 4G services by the end of 2021 as telecommunication companies (telcos) gear up for the implementation of 5G in 2022 to 2023.

MD Datuk Yeoh Seok Hong said its current 4G coverage is at 90.1%, accounting for 1.3 million customers.

“We are very well-connected with the rural areas at the moment, and our network is purely 4G, which means the 5G rollout will be layered over our 4G-ready connection.

“We are ready to make a move on the next generation of connection and have been telling the government that it’s time, much like other countries, for us to turn off 2G and 3G.

“This would allow every citizen in Malaysia to have better services, higher data speed and voice quality,” he said at the launch of its new “Yes Kasi Up” plans under its Yes mobile network yesterday.

The government has previously announced that all 2G and 3G networks will be shut down by the end of next year.

“Technically, it’s not a switch-off, more like a switch of the 3G spectrum into 4G, which means the existing telcos with 3G spectrum can layer onto the 4G connection,” he said. Currently, every consumer would have a minimum standard for data speed which can be achieved via 4G.

The “Kasi Up” plans involve the rolling out of its Yes Kasi Up Prepaid 15 plan and the Kasi Up Postpaid 49 plan, priced at RM15 per month for 10GB and RM49 per month for 100GB respectively.

Yeoh said the company’s latest plans aimed to tackle the cashflow issue faced by many individuals as a result of the pandemic.

“During these trying times, we are especially offering the first six months free on our postpaid plan, which frees up their cash to spend on essentials.

“For consumers with more modest or flexible data needs, our RM15 per month prepaid plan helps meet their data needs for the entire month. It will be a game-changer, ensuring no one gets left behind,” he said. Additionally, Yes subscribers who successfully refer the network to friends and family can earn up to RM50 cash per referral under the Refer & Earn programme.

“It’s a simple referral model that can be understood by everyone. No special skills, no training, no capital required — refer Yes to friends and family, and earn money,” Yeoh said.

Meanwhile, YTL CEO Wing K Lee said the initiative was born from the success of the YTL Foundation’s Learn from Home (YTL- LFH) initiative launched in March 2020 when the pandemic forced the closure of schools nationwide.

The initiative was a collaboration between Yes and FrogAsia Sdn Bhd after a survey it commissioned showed that almost 50% of parents did not have sufficient data at home to enable e-learning. It also found that low-income families could not afford the devices needed for Internet accessibility.

Another survey carried out by the Education Ministry a month later also showed nearly 40% of students lack access to e-learning devices.

Yeoh said in the same way, the Kasi Up plan ensures no one gets left behind in today’s data-driven economy.

“We will continue to invest in our nationwide network to increase our coverage and serve the connectivity needs of the nation.

“We believe by giving everyone in the country access to 100% 4G connectivity, the most affordable data plans, and a much-needed cash boost, we can give them the helping hand they need,” he said.