• Partnership with five state-backed telecommunications tower operators to benefit mobile, wireless and WiMAX operators in rolling out their broadband services to wider coverage
• The parties commit to leverage on their core competencies in providing backhaul connectivity and telecommunication tower facility services

The agreements were signed by Rafaai Samsi, Executive Vice President, Wholesale, TM on behalf of TM while the tower operators were represented by:

i.              Mohd Sabri Abdullah, Chairman, Infra Quest Sdn Bhd
ii.             Dato’ Seri Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan, Chairman, Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd
iii.            Norsiake Kassim, Chairman, Perlis Comm Sdn Bhd
iv.            Md Isa Salim, Director, Rangkaian Minang (NS) Sdn Bhd
v.             Azri Ibrahim, Representative from Yiked Bina Sdn Bhd 

The ceremony was witnessed by Datuk Bazlan Osman, Group Chief Financial Officer, TM and Tuan Haji Ahmad Kamal Zakaria, Chairman of State-Backed Company Association.  

The deal with the 5 tower operators involves linking their towers with TM’s high-speed fibre optic-based technology for fast, high-capacity network connectivity. The deal also means that mobile and wireless operators can leverage on TM’s expertise, as well as its scalable and future-proof infrastructure. 

Datuk Bazlan Osman said that TM will provide Wholesale Ethernet and High-Speed Broadband services to around 100 potential tower sites with a speed up to 1Gbps.  

All the parties committed to leverage on their core competencies in providing backhaul connectivity and telecommunications tower facility services in supporting large capacity requirements and wider coverage for telecommunications industry.  

“The five separate partnership agreements with the five telecommunications tower operators—Infra Quest Sdn Bhd, Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd, Perlis Comm Sdn Bhd, Rangkaian Minang (NS) Sdn Bhd and Yiked Bina Sdn Bhd—would benefit mobile, wireless and WiMax operators in rolling out their broadband services and enhancing their service offerings to its customers by utilizing TM’s network in those 5 states”.  

“This partnership is testament to TM’s support towards the tower operators’ effort in provisioning telecommunications infrastructure via its wholesale business arm. By making the network infrastructure open to all licensed service providers, TM is keeping its promises for open access. The effort is in line with the Government’s aspiration to enable more licensed service providers to enjoy the benefits of broadband connectivity via infrastructure sharing provided by TM. These strategic partnerships reiterates TM’s supporting role in achieving the Government’s broadband penetration target of 50% by end of this year,” Datuk Bazlan elaborated.

Datuk Bazlan added that the partnership will benefit other network providers to ride on TM’s infrastructure including HSBB network, strengthen its position as a neutral wholesale service provider, and will complement the rollout of its HSBB-enabled services to the nation. 

“With this partnership with TM, we look forward for further opportunities to move up the value chain by providing Connectivity Services to our current and potential customers. I am delighted about this collaboration with TM as we share a common goal to accelerate nationwide broadband penetration in Malaysia. This pivotal and strategic initiative leveraging on TM’s robust nationwide Connectivity Services will facilitate a holistic approach towards building a nationwide broadband availability and we believe in working together with TM to bring the nation closer to its national broadband aspirations,” said Haji Ahmad Kamal Zakaria.  

Earlier in August 2009, TM signed similar collaboration with 2 state-backed companies, Konsortium Jaringan Selangor Sdn Bhd (Selangor) and D’Harmoni Telco Infra Sdn Bhd (Johor) for the provision of Connectivity Services at their respective states. 

TM’s Wholesale Ethernet and HSBB (Transmission) services are high speed, highly scalable and future proof offerings for Wholesale customers seeking bandwidth flexibility and multiple class and quality of service options. The services allow network operators to grow their network according to their own business expansion plans and enable them to support multiple IP and Next Generation Network applications.

About TM 

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Malaysia’s leading integrated information and communications group, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in broadband, data and fixed-line. As a market leader in the broadband and fixed-line businesses, TM is driven to deliver value to its stakeholders in a highly competitive environment. The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements and innovations.

 With its extensive global connectivity, TM is poised to position Malaysia as a regional Internet hub and digital gateway for South-East Asia. In line with this, TM is evolving into a Next Generation Network service provider enabling the Group to enhance its efficiency and productivity while providing enriched products and services. 

On the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) front, the Group has always been a major corporate contributor towards responsible activities in the belief that these practices are a fundamental tenet of good corporate governance. The Group promotes 3 major platforms i.e. education, community/nation-building and environment. Under education, TM has spent some RM800 million to develop Multimedia University into one of the top universities in Malaysia with more than 20,000 students. TM has also provided scholarships to over 11,000 graduates pursuing academic programmes locally and overseas. Under the community/nation-building platform, the Group contributes towards causes that bring value to the community and nation at large. TM was awarded the prestigious STAR-BIZ ICRM Corporate Responsibility Award under the workplace category for 2008. 

For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my. 

About Infra Quest Sdn Bhd 

Infra Quest Sdn Bhd (IQSB),a subsidiary owned by Permodalan Kelantan Berhad is a fully owned state government company which is Perbadanan Kemajuan Iktisad Negeri Kelantan (PKINK). IQSB initially started its operation on 23^rd January 1997 and has been actively running in early 2001. On 27^th October 1997, Kelantan state government has awarded the concession of ‘Common Trencing’ to IQSB. Later on 4^th December 1997, IQSB has again been given the trust by the state government the rights to construct ‘Common Tower’ in Kelantan. 

IQSB has broaden its wing when appointed by Kelantan State Government as the supervisory body to manage the planning, implementation and maintenance of all communication infrastructures in Kelantan which is also known as ‘One Stop Agency’ (OSA) since 2^nd October 2003. As the OSA, IQSB has to oversee and to ensure all telecommunication towers built in Kelantan are to comply with all the guidelines given by Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the state government.  

IQSB has also played an important role whereby it has become the consultant to Celcom (M) Berhad, Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Berhad. Besides, IQSB is the developer for Radio Base Station (RBS) for TM Touch Sdn Bhd (now owned by Celcom (M) Berhad).  

Apart from that, IQSB also acts as the consultant for Ar Rahn renovation works which is an Islamic pawn company owned by Permodalan Kelantan Berhad. IQSB has evolved in the new era in its association whereby MCMC has granted the ‘Network Facilities Provider’ (NFP) in accordance with the Federal Government target which is to provide nationwide full coverage in year 2005 and 2006. 

For further information on Infra Quest, visit www.pkb.net.my/iqsb.

About Perak Integrated Network Services  

Incorporated on 2^nd August 2000, Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd (“PINS”) is entrusted by the Perak State Government to systematically develop and monitor the telecommunication infrastructures in the state. PINS has successfully assist the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in realising its Time Two Master Plan exercise within the State of Perak. 

Functioning in the capacity of a State Back Company (SBC), PINS collaborates with Perak Communication Technology Sdn Bhd (PCT) to develop the telecommunication infrastructure and assumes the responsibility of a “One Stop Agency” (OSA) on behalf of the State Government to ensure that all telecommunication infrastructure development program conform to the required guidelines. 

PINS has also played an important role in providing sound consultation to the TELCOs in understanding and overcoming a broadspectrum of development issues. Assisting the TELCOs and MCMC in educating members of the public through talks and seminars on the radiation related issues is one of the organization’s social obligations.

PINS emphasized in building competent project managers and site supervisors to be able to perform its duties up to the mark. Currently PINS has completed 85 sites in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. Among its clients are Celcom, Maxis, Digi, Telekom Malaysia and Sapura Holdings in providing sharing telecommunication infrastructure in the state of Perak Darul Ridzuan. 

PINS will strive to keep to the pace in this industry in our pursuit for success. Our objectives upon conveying fresh ideas and new technologies for the community are to share and benefit from these privileges. 

About Perlis Comm Sdn Bhd 

Perlis Comm Sdn Bhd (PCSB) was incorporated as the Perlis State Economic Development Coperation (Perlis SEDC) subsidiary company on 6 July 2005 and officially, begins its operation on 1^st Mac 2007. 

PCSB holds the responsibility as the Perlis State Back Company (SBC) through the initiative of the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Furthermore, PCSB plays a vital role in coordinating the planning, implementation and maintenance of the telecommunication infrastructure services in the state of Perlis. 

PCSB earned the Network Facilities Provider (NFP) license from MCMC, which gave the exclusive rights to construct, own, maintain and lease any telecommunication tower to Telcos consisting of Maxis, DiGi and Celcom.  

It has always been the company’s goal to provide the best towards the state’s telecommunication development programs. To date, PCSB continues its eager and passion to enhance the Wireless Broadband and ICT industry with the collaboration of the state government.  

For more information, visit us at www.perliscomm.com.my.

About Rangkaian Minang (NS) Sdn Bhd 

RANGKAIAN MINANG (NS) Sdn Bhd was incorporated as a joint venture with the Negeri Sembilan State Government through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Menteri Besar Incorporation (MBI) to coordinate the planning, implementation and maintenance of the telecommunication infrastructure services in Negeri Sembilan.  

RANGKAIAN MINANG holds the prestigious recognition as a State Backed Company (SBC) and is a One-Stop Agency (OSA) for processing all applications relating to telecommunications infrastructure development. Todate, it has facilitated tower sharing services to Malaysian telecommunication companies like Maxis, Digi and Celcom which have greatly benefited the communities in Malaysian rural locations. RANGKAIAN MINANG plays a lead role in coordinating, advising and assisting the State of Negeri Sembilan on industry developments and the cost-effective implementation of telecommunication utilities. 

Since inception, RANGKAIAN MINANG has successfully observed stringent timelines towards the quality construction and building of telecommunication towers, monopoles and lamp poles on private and state agency land.  

RANGKAIAN MINANG currently owns and operates over 100 telecommunication structures. RANGKAIAN MINANG also plans to start trenching as one of its services that will soon be offered to the state of Negeri Sembilan. 

For more information, visit www.minang.com.my. 

About Yiked Bina Sdn Bhd 

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