The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has released a press statement announcing a list of devices that will be eligible for the RM200 rebate under the Youth Communication Package (or Pakej Komunikasi Belia) as part of the government’s National Broadband Initiative. The Package is meant as a stimulus for more youths to utilise the nation’s broadband facilities, especially among those from rural areas.
According to MCMC, the rebate will allow youths to purchase “selected” 3G smartphones from selected dealers and agents nationwide, with the total expenditure after rebate expected to be no more than RM300. The commission adds that the main reason for the RM500 maximum price cap for eligible devices was intended to allow more people from the target market – youths from rural areas as well as those from the lower income bracket – instead of allowing others who can afford more expensive devices to abuse the scheme. This is because the package will only be available for the first 1.5 million eligible youths who register online on a first come, first served basis (to find out if you are eligible for the Package, head on to our earlier write up here).
In addition, the commission also mentions that the telecommunication companies participating in the program will offer “no less than five or perhaps up to 10 or 12” devices under the initiative, which will be made available at their respective dealership outlets, which will be identifiable by a “Pakej Komunikasi Belia” logo that will be displayed at the outlets. Further, the participating outlets will also be listed on the websites of the service providers in the scheme.
Finally, MCMC has also given a list of 23 smartphones that are eligible for the RM200 rebate under the Youth Communication Package. They are:
1) Alcatel 993D
2) Alcatel OneTouch Glory 2
3) Alcatel OneTouch Inspire 2
4) The Buzz Phone
5) HTC Wildfire
6) Huawei Ideos X3
7) LG Optimus L3
8) Ninetology Black Pearl II
9) Ninetology Palette
10) Nokia 2730
11) Nokia 7230
12) Nokia Asha 305
13) Nokia Asha 308
14) Nokia Asha 311
15) Nokia C2-03
16) Nokia Lumia 610
17) Samsung Galaxy Chat
18) Samsung Galaxy Mini
19) Samsung Galaxy Pocket
20) Samsung Galaxy Y
21) Sony Xperia Tipo
22) ZTE Acqua
23) ZTE V790
In addition, MCMC also noted that the list may be updated from time to time.
Youths who are interested and eligible for the package can register for the scheme at nbi.mcmc.gov.my starting from 1 January 2013.
Well.. you got a Lumia 610, which isn’t bad, I guess. 😀 Although the plan is clearly geared to entertain a certain demographic of voters.. which is questionable, to say the least.
Dude rather than using big words…demographics does not check if you are poor or not. This will help people with low income. Seems that some common cannot be purchased sadly :).
I think you, and your comment, are missing the word ‘sense’. If the government was really interested to help poor people, giving a RM 200 discount on a smartphone to people aged between 21-30 with a monthly income below 3K is again, a very questionable decision.
If they really wanted to help, I maybe would suggest the 300Mil given for fuel, toll or even accommodation subsidies to the same target demographics.
Although I really commend the way you prove your own point, that money really… can’t buy you common sense. 😉
no, rm500 cannot buy smart phone,
rm500 can only buy stupid phone.
Please don’t say something like that.. it shows u r so ignorant. The list includes some rather decent smartphones like lumia 610, galaxy chat and wildfire. U expect everyone to have s3 or iphone in their hands?
please don’t be fooled by this candy games by politician. they expect to help poor people to buy a cheaper “smart phone” to educate them and let them be apart of technologies? hey ? phone no need topup meh? 3g so free ar? tel line yo granpa own? stupid gov. use this budget to help them to survives live in horrible economy is much2 better. stupid gov. this not only agenda to give people cheaper ..but give their big guy vendors and crony to have bisnes.. ??stupid gov
Yes common sense thank you. And if you have time, read the financial times and the budget report if I’m not mistaken the subsidy is more than most countries in the world. Next you want petrol for free?
c2-03, Samsung Galaxy Chat not a smart phone at all
8) Ninetology Black Pearl II will cot u 599
and the alcatel is extremely difficult to get in malayia normal phone market. the telco offer much more better den the najib’s “1malayia government”
if you can afford a 2k phone, u dont need help. if u can afford 500k house, u dont need help. same goes to other stuff. this is not a communist country. this package is clearly not for you.
Well, since gov gives, we just take la. Not necessary to vote for them if u get their stuff. If it is not your cup of tea, just pass to those who are in need la. At least those who can’t afford a smart phone can get a ‘not-so-smart’ phone at a lower price lo.
It is tax payers’ money that najib is giving away. Just take and you don’t have to vote him. It is YOUR MONEY anyway.
whoever expecting to get an S3 or an iphone from this package are a total douchebags…this rebate is for the less fortunates …go and expect handouts from other country you fuckin dirtbags!
A few question come into my mind when i read this article.
1. Why is there so many Nokia phone listed while there is a quite a number of phone manufacturer produce many smartphone under RM 500?
2. Why is the government saying that this will help those who can’t afford to buy smartphone while the terms is that they must subscribe to broadband plan (normally contract is 1 year and a lot of place provide free wifi)? The cheapest plan is RM18/month which will incur a heavier burden on those who can’t afford to buy smartphone.
3. Most of the selected dealer are big vendor in the industry. Based on my point of view, this does not help small & medium business like phone shop owner. This should be opened to more small & medium business owner but with a strict registration process for youth aged 21-30 years old.
4. Certain phone are not even smartphone as pointed out by other people. And certain phone are very outdated phone which won’t really help the youth to learn much about technology.
Lastly, if there is any mistake in my statement or if there is racist or bias or insulting content, I apologize in advance
Hi guys, as much as we encourage discussions on our comments section, please do so in a civil manner and refrain from using foul and/or abusive language. Thanks!
The standout phone of this bunch is clearly the Lumia 610 in terms of specs and OS. If you’re into Android, ZTE Acqua also not too bad since it comes with ICS. The rest don’t seem to be worth bothering with.
Let me put this straight.
This rebate is for those youth who wants a cheap smartphone (not overkill iP5 or samseng garaxyies).
Nokia Lumia 610 is a great phone at that range of price and with the rebate its totally attractive.
Stop bitching about why the rebate is only for smartphone thats worth 500 and below.
If you can afford a smartphone thats worth more than 1k then u r not the target market.
although age range (21-30) does raise an eyebrow.
its like pancing undi. i would like to say more but i’ll just shut up and see where this wave takes us to.
Gov should help the poor with telco line,3G or data line!Not with cheaper smartphone.If that group of people got the so called Smartphone,if they really couldn’t afford at the first time,they will also stop the data after few months.Whats the point of having a smartphone without smart function which mostly need to use data line