Registration for 3G smartphone rebate start from next Tuesday –MCMC

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KUALA LUMPUR: Youths between the ages of 21 and 30 can start applying for the RM200 rebate to purchase selected 3G smart phones from registered Celco dealers from next Tuesday.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Chairman Datuk Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said the application under the Youth Communication Package could be made via online registration at http://nbi.skmm.gov.my/.

The scheme was on a first-come-first served basis and would be for the first 1.5 million eligible youths who may claim their smartphone while stocks last, he said in a statement today.

Mohamed Sharil said youths who qualify for the RM200 rebate would be able to purchase selected 3G smartphones costing up to RM500 from selected dealers and agents appointed by the providers

“The idea is to spread the incentive across lower income group youths who do not yet use smartphones and cannot afford to upgrade from their old 2G phones to a basic 3G smartphone.

“Those who can afford phones priced RM500 and above are really not in the intended category or target market,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a one-off rebate of RM200 for 3G smartphone purchases for 1.5 eligible youths through Youth Communication Package when tabling the 2013 Budget last September in efforts to give youths access to the information highway.

With the rebate, they were expected to pay no more than RM300 to own a new 3G smartphone, he said while refuting claims that the RM500 price limit was low as there were over 20 models of branded phones which are 3G enabled.

“The participating celcos and mobile virtual network operators will offer no less than five and perhaps up to 10 or 12 models under the initiative via their dealership outlets.

“Therefore youths should look out for the ‘Pakej Komunikasi Belia’ logo that will be displayed on banners and buntings at these outlets or they can also check websites of the service providers for the list of smartphones and participating dealership outlets,” he said.

He said based on studies conducted by MCMC, over 90 per cent of users were

in the prepaid segment but Celcos only provided mobile phone incentives for postpaid contracts.

Meanwhile Mohamed Sharil said owners of small businesses between the ages of 18 and 65 would be able to start applying for the Get Malaysian Business Online RM1,000 grant starting next Tuesday (Jan 1) by also registering online at http://nbi.skmm.gov.my/.

He said small business entrepreneurs who had registered websites and fullfilled all the termS and conditions would receive a RM1,000 grant from MCMC which would be credited directly into the successful aplicants’ local bank account.– BERNAMA