Covid-19: gov't seeks support from internet service providers in response efforts

The government has sought support from service providers for an initiative by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to ensure telecommunication and internet connectivity will be enhanced for the people during this critical time.

The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Maldives.

As such, the government has recognized that the people have had their ways of income and earning cut short due to the pandemic and that the government’s orders to stay at home adds to the additional burden on internet usage for those e-schooling and working from home.

As such, the government has requested for service providers to pledge their support for the initiative which asks them to assist their consumers in these areas for the next three months if the state of public health emergency is not lifted.

As such, service providers are to;

· Provide free, fast and reliable internet access to the Covid-19 taskforce operation centers and cells,

· Provide free access to internet for everyone during the period of mandatory isolation or quarantine,

· Recognize the extra demand for data beyond normal usage and increase the current data caps, lower the price of data boosts

Further, the service providers are expected to at least double the original data allowance for 70% fixed broadband and 50% of mobile broadband customers.

In addition, the government expects service providers to introduce daily uncapped allowances after customers reach their package data limit, for all fixed broadband and mobile broadband customers.

The government has also urged service providers to propose additional solutions that will further allow affordable access to fast internet even after the package limits are reached.

Providers are also urged to offer a special data package at an affordable price, in order to help people stay connected to their loved ones during the outbreak.

Further, the government has recognized and expressed gratitude for service providers for several initiatives they are taking, especially in the areas of e-schooling and remote working.

Following the appeal, Dhiraagu has extended the free data allowance for home fixed broadband customers for the months of April and May. As such, 70% of said customers will have a twofold increased free data allowance and mobile customers will have 50% increased allowance.

Furthermore, Ooredoo Maldives has also offered daily 5GB free data for their SuperNet customers on top of the 25% bonus data for postpaid customers.