RM308 mln for 2.2 mln decoders to be given to lower-income group

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM308 million for 2.2 million decoder sets to be given free to the lower-income group to enjoy the myFreeview digital terrestrial television services.

According to the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, another two million decoders would be paid by MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd (MYTV), a company which had been appointed to provide the infrastructure and facilities for the DTT network, with an estimated allocation of RM280 million.

The ministry was replying to a question from Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng) who asked about the allocations given to MYTV to distribute 4.2 million decoders to BR1M recipients.

On June 6, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that 4.2 million decoders would be given free to eligible persons, including those who received the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) to enable the public to enjoy the myFreeview Digital Broadcasts without any monthly charges. - Bernama

In his speech, Najib said among others, the decoders would speed up the process of migrating from analogue to digital.

According to the ministry, MYTV had been appointed by the government as the sole distributor of the decoders in Malaysia after taking into account various aspects such as services and after sales suport, enforcement taken on decoders which had gone through SIRIM’s certification and accreditation process as well as upgrading the services of digital television in the future. - Bernama