14 Sep 2023
TM Joins Asia Link Cable System Consortium To Boost Submarine Cable Capacity From Malaysia To Asia
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 September 2023 - TM Global, the domestic and international wholesale business arm of TM, solidified its commitment to advancing Malaysia’s digital landscape by announcing its recent participation as a consortium member of the Asia Link Cable System (ALC). This strategic move positions Malaysia as one of the key destinations connecting Malaysia to Hong Kong SAR.
Asia Link Cable; image credited to HMN Tech
TM’s entry into the consortium was made official during the signing of the Construction and Maintenance Agreement (C&MA) with all consortium members held in Penang recently. The current seven members from the ASEAN and North Asia regions include Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel); China Telecom Global Limited (CTG); China Telecommunications Corporation (CTC); Globe Telecom (Globe) and DITO Telecommunity Corporation (DITO) of the Philippines, Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN) of Brunei and Global Transit Singapore Pte. Ltd (GTS).
Commenting on this partnership, Khairul Liza Ibrahim, TM Global’s covering Executive Vice President said, “Our inclusion in the ALC consortium marks another milestone in TM Global’s ongoing efforts to position Malaysia as a digital hub in the region.
“Malaysia emerged as the region’s top destination for technological investment, particularly data centre businesses. Leveraging our strategic location, the ALC is expected to attract more international submarine cables to land in Malaysia and entice global technology players to leverage our data centres.
“This strengthens our efforts to provide reliable, diversified and uninterrupted global connectivity solutions to customers. It also enables us to better support the deployment of hyperscalers’ data centres, and deliver to the future requirements of 5G networks in the country,” she added
Spanning a total distance of approximately 7,200 km with an initial design capacity of 24Tbps, the Cable Landing Station (CLS) for ALC will be strategically located at TM Exchange Kuala Sedili, and will capitalise on its proximity to TM’s Iskandar Puteri data centre in Johor.
The Sedili CLS is the sixth international CLS in the country, including Kuala Muda, Morib, Mersing, Cherating and Melaka. Its construction is projected to be completed by 2025.
With 32 owned and leased submarine cable systems spanning more than 340,000 kilometres around the globe, TM is committed to providing the highest service performance and best quality experience to customers domestically and internationally.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
TM Inks MOU With ZTE For R&D Innovation Under Latest Strategic Partnership Programme
TM, Malaysia’s leading converged telco and technology company, has today entered into a MoU with ZTE Malaysia Corporation Sdn Bhd (ZTE), a global leader in information and communication technology solutions, to collaborate on a range of research and development innovations under its latest strategic partnership programme. The partnership will leverage TM and ZTE’s joint expertise to drive innovation and digital transformation for customers and industries, focusing on R&D opportunities and commercialisation, product and technology improvement, and the enhancement of TM’s digital talent ecosystem. The collaboration will also serve as an important step towards strengthening the nation’s digital and telco infrastructure, and empower Malaysia’s competitive edge in delivering cutting-edge solutions to the marketplace. Slated to run for a period of three years, the MoU was presided over by YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister for Communications and Digital; YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister for Communications and Digital; Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Bin Fateh Din, Chairman; and Dato’ Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus, Chief Operating Officer for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission respectively. The MOU was signed by TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Imri Mokhtar and ZTE’s Managing Director, Mr. Steven Ge. Building on TM and ZTE’s ongoing investments and commitment to R&D and innovation, the partnership aims to deliver new products and services, with TM serving as ZTE’s preferred business partner to deploy innovative solutions, go-to-market strategies, commercialisation, and networking across various markets and customer segments in Malaysia and regionally. The companies will also work on network and technology planning and overall digital transformation by bringing together Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Anything as a Service (XaaS) providers to develop customised end-to-end solutions for various industry sectors. Aside from technological developments and aligning with TM’s transformation as a human-centred TechCo, the collaboration will focus on enhancing TM's digital talent ecosystem, covering areas such as talent competency best practices, professional competency framework, technical training and certifications for digital transformation, as well as cross-border knowledge sharing on new technologies. Dato’ Imri Mokhtar, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are pleased to partner with ZTE once more in providing new innovations that will serve today’s digital customers and industries. Spearheading these efforts will be TM’s R&D arm who will provide hardware testing and design enhancement, consultation on digital platform technologies, as well as integration solutions to ensure our offerings are market-ready. This MOU comes on the heels of another recent joint research in next generation access technology to enhance Malaysia’s high speed internet connectivity. Introducing the first ever 50Gbps bandwidth in Malaysia has prepared us to drive other innovative services such as 5G, Cloud VR, and intelligent manufacturing which will benefit communities, businesses and the Government.” Mr Steven Ge, ZTE’s Managing Director, concluded: “As a global leading provider of information and telco technology solutions, we’re looking forward to collaborating with Malaysia’s leading telco player. We’re confident that our collaboration will bring forth new innovations and solutions to address the growing needs of today’s digital markets. ZTE is also committed to supporting TM's digital transformation and talent ecosystem growth through our global expertise and resources. We believe that this partnership will create a win-win situation for both parties and set a new industry standard for strategic collaborations."
TM Announces Upcoming Change In Chairmanship
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), is pleased to announce the appointment of Dato’ Zainal Abidin Putih as its new chairman effective 1 August 2023. He will succeed Tan Sri Azlan Hashim, who completes his 2-year term on 31 July 2023. Dato' Zainal Abidin brings a wealth of experience and distinguished track record in the corporate sector. He is currently Chairman of Financial Reporting Foundation (FRF), Land and General Berhad, Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd and Tokio Marine lnsurans (Malaysia) Bhd, as well as Board Member of Khazanah Nasional Berhad and several private limited companies. He has also previously served as Chairman of Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad, CIMB Bank Berhad, Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) and President of Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA). As Chairman, Dato' Zainal Abidin will be responsible for overseeing the overall governance and strategic direction of TM. He will work closely with the Board of Directors and management team to drive TM's next wave of growth and strengthen its market position. Tan Sri Azlan, who shall complete his term as Chairman on 31 July 2023, expressed his confidence in the appointment of Dato' Zainal Abidin and stated, "I am delighted to hand over the reins to Dato' Zainal Abidin. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the corporate sector make him the ideal candidate to lead TM into its next phase of growth. I have full confidence in his ability to guide the company towards greater achievements and new horizons." Dato' Zainal Abidin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and said, "I am honored to assume the role of Chairman of TM. I am excited to build upon the strong foundation laid by Tan Sri Azlan and work together with the Board and management team to create new opportunities and achieve even greater heights. It is an exciting time to be joining TM, especially as we build on the company's recent successes." TM extends its appreciation to Tan Sri Azlan Hashim for his invaluable contributions, dedication, and leadership during his tenure as Chairman. His vision and strategic guidance have played a pivotal role in the company's recent growth and success.
TM Delivers Strong Performance Amidst Challenging Market Conditions in 3Q 2023
3Q 2023 Key Highlights (vs 3Q 2022) · Operating Revenue declined 2.6% to RM3.08 billion, due to market challenges · PATAMI grew 102.9% from RM265.2 million to RM538.2 million · CAPEX investment stood at 15.1% of revenue or RM1.38 billion, mainly for network infrastructure expansion KUALA LUMPUR, 23 November 2023 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging market dynamics, delivering stronger financial performance in the third quarter ended 30 September 2023 (3Q 2023), compared to the corresponding period last year. This steadfast momentum solidifies TM’s position in the local and global telecommunications landscape. The Group’s Profit After Tax and Non-Controlling Interest (PATAMI) experienced a surge of 102.9% from RM265.2 million to RM538.2 million, against a revenue of RM3.08 billion primarily attributed to a lower tax impact and reduced net finance costs. The strong performance of two of TM’s lines of business, Unifi and TM Global played a pivotal role in this growth. Unifi’s fixed broadband subscription increased 4.6% reaching 3.12 million, while TM Global’s revenue increased due to heightened demand for both domestic and international data services. The Group’s year-to-date (YTD) Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) investment stood at RM1.38 billion or 15.1% of the overall revenue. This strategic allocation of resources is directed towards the nationwide network infrastructure expansion and enhancement of its regional submarine cable system. Reflecting on the 3Q 2023 performance, Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “I am pleased to announce the significant strides we have made amidst intensified competition. Our commitment to advancing quad-play convergence services, coupled with the introduction of attractive and competitive packages, enabled us to retain and expand our customer base, solidifying our portfolio as the true convergence champion. “Our relentless pursuit of improving mobile coverage nationwide aligns with our dedication to inclusivity, bridging the digital divide, and fostering widespread digital adoption. By ensuring our services are accessible to all, we contribute to creating a more connected and inclusive society. “Simultaneously, our aggressive expansion of data and network infrastructure is strategically positioned to meet the growing demands of our domestic market and attract more international players. This is a crucial step towards positioning Malaysia as a digital hub for the region, contributing significantly to the creation of a globally connected digital economy. “TM supports the recently launched New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and we are well positioned to unlock technological opportunities whilst driving innovation for the nation and key economic sectors. As we continue our journey towards humanising technologies, our commitment extends beyond services to the development and refinement of smart innovative solutions. It is not just about technological advancement and improving business outcomes but also about enhancing lives, bringing positive impact to the environment and society. “In summary, these initiatives underscore our goals to foster digitalisation and emerging technologies. Our comprehensive approach reflects TM’s position as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving landscape, with a clear focus on driving positive change and shaping the future of digital connectivity”, added Amar. LINES OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Unifi Drives Innovation and Maintains Growth Trajectory Unifi recorded 0.7% revenue growth reaching RM1.41 billion, propelled by effective convergence campaigns and robust customer retention activities. As leader of converged offerings, Unifi continues to elevate connectivity at home and on-the-go through the country’s best fibre network, superior 4G coverage and an expanding 5G nationwide footprint. Driven by vibrant content offerings, improved mobile coverage and competitive new packages, Unifi caters to diverse consumer lifestyles and digital experiences for Malaysians. Unifi received the Open Signal 5G Global Awards 2023, recognising it as one of the fastest 5G telcos in the world. Unifi Business serves close to 400,000 MSMEs nationwide and further strengthened its position as a preferred digital partner. Its diverse digital solutions help MSMEs build stronger brand presence and online visibility, enhanced by ultra-speed broadband internet and 5G mobile to empower their business. Looking ahead, Unifi is solidifying its true convergence leadership and powering the MSME digital ecosystem, driving continuous innovation for the nation’s connectivity needs. TM One Navigates Challenges, Continues to Drive Smart Innovation Despite intense competition, TM One remains a resilient and trusted partner for enterprises and the public sector. Recently, TM One forged a successful collaboration with the Selangor government to launch the Selangor Government Data Exchange (SelGDX) portal, positioning Selangor as the first state in Malaysia to develop a data-sharing platform across its 48 agencies and departments. The portal facilitates secure, fast, and accurate data sharing and processing with enhanced efficiency while fostering transparency and good governance. In August, CyberSecurity Malaysia recognised TM One for its role in safeguarding the Critical National Information Infrastructure through its Security Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre. The award reinforces TM One's commitment to protecting data and devices across all network environments, contributing significantly to national security and opens the door to new cybersecurity solution opportunities. Moving forward, TM One maintains its focus on managed converged next-gen connectivity, smart services, cloud and cybersecurity while remaining steadfast in providing fit-for-purpose solutions to enable industry digital transformation and economic growth. TM One is well positioned to support the recently launched NIMP 2030, dedicated to enabling innovative solutions for the nation and key sectors, spurring new opportunities and driving continuous innovation. TM Global Strengthens Malaysia position as the Preferred Digital Hub for ASEAN TM Global reported a 5.0% revenue increase to RM808.6 million from RM769.9 million, driven by encouraging demand for both domestic and international data services. TM Global actively contributed to Malaysia’s digital transformation through continuous deployment of 5G infrastructure, HSBB access and edge facilities nationwide. These facilities set the foundation for industry players to offer new innovative 5G solutions and industry specific use cases. Despite market challenges, TM Global mitigated the risk through strong collaborations with industry players in promoting wholesale broadband solutions to drive internet inclusivity for the nation. TM Global signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SK Telecom for the joint development of Multi-Access Edge Computing and participated in the Asia Link Cable System to enhance submarine cable capacity from Malaysia to Asia, amplifying inbound traffic, laying a solid foundation for the future of Malaysia's digital landscape. Looking ahead, TM Global remains focused on advancing 5G and broadband infrastructure, whilst expanding its submarine cable system and building regional scale in Content Delivery Network. It will further expand its edge and data centre capabilities, positioning Malaysia as the preferred digital hub for ASEAN. 2023 Market Guidance Revenue Growth Flat EBIT RM1.8bil - RM2.0bil CAPEX/Revenue 18% - 20% The Group is on track to achieve its 2023 market guidance, reinforcing its commitment to powering a digital future.
NEWSLETTER
Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!