The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) earlier today has announced that telcos have begun to offer device packages called the Pakej Peranti RM1 Malaysia Prihatin. Timed nicely with the upcoming Merdeka Day, the package aims to provide affordable devices for consumers to upgrade to 4G and VoLTE from as low as RM1.
This is because the 3G network is already on the way out in Malaysia and the full shutdown is expected to take place by the end of this year. The government is planning to reorganise the spectrum used by the 3G network to improve the quality of the country’s 4G services.
Today’s announcement stated that the new package is available from six telcos including Celcom, Digi, Maxis, TM, U Mobile, and YTL (Yes 4G). As you may expect, each of them is offering the RM1 Malaysia Prihatin device package in their own way through different plan options and product line-up.
Immediately after we caught wind of MCMC’s announcement today, we went through the websites of all six telcos and have compiled the information regarding the new package. That led to the list below that we hope could be useful to those who are planning to sign up for it.
CELCOM
According to a promotional poster on Celcom’s website, there are four phones available under the RM1 Malaysia Prihatin device package. However, the phone that you can buy for RM 1 depends on a specific Celcom MEGA postpaid plan which has a rather premium monthly fee.
Here is a simplified list for Celcom:
Lightning M (RM 98/month): vivo Y20 2021, OPPO A54
Lightning M Plus (RM 128/month): vivo Y20s
Lightning L Plus (RM 158/month): vivo Y31
There is also another device that was not featured in the promotional poster but you can see it listed on the telco’s website as shown above: the iPhone 12 mini. This particular phone can be obtained with Lightning XL Pass which costs RM 188 per month.
DIGI
Digi is offering the RM1 Malaysia Prihatin device package as part of its Gemilang Deals. Among phones that is currently being offered by the telco at just RM1 includes the Redmi 9A and Samsung Galaxy A02.
Customers can also choose to get their hands on the Samsung Galaxy A02s instead although it is priced much higher at RM 28. If you want to get your hands on any of these phones with the price that we have mentioned here, you have to pair it with Digi Postpaid 60 plan.
MAXIS
From what we have noticed, Maxis has the biggest selection when it comes to the RM1 Malaysia Prihatin devices to the extent that there are even tablets on the list. That being said though, we believe that some of these devices may have been offered for RM1 prior to the announcement by MCMC today.
Just like Celcom, you also have to be aware that Maxis Postpaid plans have a rather premium monthly fee which ranges from RM 98 up to RM 188. Here is a summary of the listing based on what I have found on Maxis’ website today:
Maxis Postpaid 98
vivo Y20 2021, Samsung Galaxy A02s, realme C21, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0” (2019).
Maxis Postpaid 128
vivo Y20 2021, Samsung Galaxy A02s, Samsung Galaxy A12, realme C21, realme C25s, OPPO A15s, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0” (2019), Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite LTE.
Maxis Postpaid 158
vivo Y20 2021, vivo V21e, Samsung Galaxy A02s, Samsung Galaxy A12, Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, OPPO A15s, OPPO Reno5 F, realme C21, realme C25s, realme 8 5G, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0” (2019), Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite LTE, Lenovo Tab M10 HD (2nd Gen).
Maxis Postpaid 188
vivo Y20 2021, vivo V21e, Samsung Galaxy A02s, Samsung Galaxy A12, Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, OPPO A15s, OPPO Reno5 F, OPPO A74 5G realme C21, realme C25s, realme 8 5G, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0” (2019), Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite LTE, Lenovo Tab M10 HD (2nd Gen).
Meanwhile, we also noticed that the Hotlink Postpaid 60 plan also offers realme C21 and vivo Y12s for RM1. However, it is not clearly stated whether this offer is officially part of the RM1 Malaysia Prihatin device package.
TM
Even though the company’s name was actually mentioned in MCMC’s announcement, we couldn’t find any reference to RM1 Malaysia Prihatin package on unifi’s website at the time this article was published. We will update this post once we receive more information from TM.
U MOBILE
As opposed to other telcos, U Mobile is the only telco that refers to the package exactly on how MCMC called it. That being said, it is quite possible that some of these devices have already been offered for RM1 (or RM 0.99 in U Mobile’s case) before today’s announcement by the regulator.
At the same time, the device availability also depends on the specific U Mobile’s postpaid plan that you choose:
Giler Unlimited GX68
Vivo Y1s.
Unlimited Hero P79
OPPO A15s.
Unlimited Hero P99
OPPO A15s, OPPO A54, Samsung Galaxy A12.
Unlimited Hero P139
OPPO A15s, OPPO A54, OPPO Reno5 F, Samsung Galaxy A12, Samsung A32 5G, Samsung Galaxy A51.
YES 4G
While other telcos provide plenty of options for their RM1 Malaysia Prihatin device package, Yes 4G offers only one device: Samsung Galaxy A02. This particular option is being paired with its existing Kasi Up Postpaid 49 plan through its Merdeka RM1 Package although it will only be made available to the public on 23 August according to the package’s FAQ document.
Do note that what we have discussed here is just a general outlook of the RM1 Malaysia Prihatin device package. But one thing seemed rather clear: while these devices may be offered at RM1, you still have to consider the telco plans and contract duration associated with them.
Not to forget, some of them may require an upfront fee before you can pick up the offer. As always, please take a look at the in-depth details behind each offering as well as the terms and conditions from respective telcos, so that you know exactly what you are signing up for.
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