Minister Fayyaz denies reports of slashing internet prices
Maldives has one of the highest costs for internet in the Asian region
Minister of Economic Development and Acting Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Fayyaz Ismail
Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has denied media reports that claimed that internet prices were being slashed across the Maldives after years of price-fixing by ISPs in the country's duopoly for the field.
Minister Fayyaz clarified that while the news being circulated was not entirely true, the government had been conducting dialogue with those in the industry, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), as a follow up to earlier discussions.
Minister Fayyaz went on to detail that while no change had been finalized as of yet, it was expected in the near future.
Media reports have been circulating since July that the government is working to significantly slash the cost of internet in the Maldives, and while some reports have specified the new price of internet, Minister Fayyaz has gone on to deny all of them.
Reducing the cost of internet in the Maldives had been a major electoral pledge for the incumbent Solih administration, In a press conference held in February, Spokesperson for the President's Office Mabrook Azeez revealed that the price of internet in the Maldives will be reduced in the next two years.
Minister of Communications, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal was removed from his position on 1 March 2021, with Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail now the temporary head of the ministry. There had been talks of dissolving the ministry following Maleeh's sacking, but the Solih administration has since decided against dissolving the ministry.
