KUALA LUMPUR, 25 August 2023 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) recorded a stronger financial performance in the second quarter of the year that ended 30 June 2023, compared to the same period in the previous year.
Its operating revenue grew 0.3% to RM3.10 billion, propelled by Unifi’s expansion which saw a substantial increase to 3.11 million fixed broadband subscribers. The growth was also due to TM Global’s solid 10.0% revenue growth driven by higher demand for domestic and international data services.
Profit After Tax and Non-Controlling Interest (PATAMI) rose 50.4% from RM378.0 million to RM568.7 million due to lower net finance cost and the recognition of tax credits from unutilised tax losses.
TM’s Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) allocation for the first half of 2023 stood at RM942.8 million, which accounts for 15.6% of the overall revenue for the expansion of network infrastructure to enhance nationwide coverage.
Meanwhile, Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) was lower by 10.3% at RM630.0 million from RM702.7 million, due to higher preventive maintenance costs to better serve our customers and higher depreciation from revision of asset useful life.
TM declared a higher Interim Dividend of 9.5 sen per share. This is a testament of the Group’s positive financial performance and its ongoing commitment to shareholder value.
Commenting on these results, Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “We are pleased with this quarter’s performance, which is marked by overall positive results across our Lines of Business (“LOBs”). These achievements further strengthen TM’s growth momentum in facing a more competitive market.”
“In the coming months, TM expects to face a more challenging marketplace but remains confident in our overall positive financial performance. The Group remains steadfast to continue strengthening its core business to be commercially sustainable whilst also continuing to contribute to the nation’s growth.
“TM is excited by the huge potential of fixed, mobile and lifestyle convergence in the digital market, as well as digital infrastructure and solutions for MSME, enterprise and government sectors, whilst pursuing to capture opportunities from International partners including hyperscalers.
“We also remain committed to continuously invest in expanding our network to enable the nation’s progress towards a Digital Malaysia. TM will continue to collaborate closely with the Government to serve as the nation’s trusted partner to grow Malaysia’s overall connectivity and digital ecosystem, including 5G,” Amar concluded.
LINES OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Unifi drives growth with enhanced services and market leadership
Unifi’s revenue increased 0.5% to RM1.41 billion, driven by growth in fixed broadband subscribers reaching 3.11 million from consumer and Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (“MSME”) segments.
Reinforcing its market leadership in fibre broadband services, Unifi unveiled its Ultra Gigabit Broadband Plans with 1Gbps and 2Gbps packages designed to empower digital households and expedite the growth of MSMEs.
Unifi also strengthened its position by introducing innovative Uni5G postpaid and prepaid all-in-one 4G and 5G mobile plans, enhancing its fixed-mobile convergence value proposition.
Unifi’s lifestyle services arm, Unifi TV, continued its pursuit of enriching user experiences by integrating popular streaming apps such as Netflix into its diverse portfolio. This move bolsters Unifi TV’s value proposition and adds to the variety of content available to users.
The availability of a comprehensive convergence proposition encompassing gigabit fixed broadband, innovative 5G mobile packages and lifestyle services is the only offering of its kind in the industry. This is delivered over the best fibre network, superior 4G network coverage and expanding 5G nationwide footprint that offers elevated connectivity experiences at home and on-the-go.
As a market leader, Unifi Business launched its Digital Marketing Solution (“DMS”) to encourage the MSME segment develop stronger brand presence and online visibility. As the latest addition to its line-up of connectivity and business solutions, DMS complements and augments Unifi Business’ existing offerings and will propel digital adoption among businesses.
Earning further accolades, Unifi Business received the “Best Business Fixed Broadband Service Provider” award from PC.com during the period under review.
TM One Drives Innovation with Smart Solutions and Private 5G Advancements
TM One experience a decline in revenue by 11.4% to RM732.0 million in 2Q 2023 as a result of price reductions in connectivity services and lower one-off revenue from customer projects.
To mitigate this, TM One is driving the rapid development of smart innovative solutions for verticals such as smart cities, healthcare, agriculture and industries. As a trusted digital partner for large enterprises and government, TM One is also leading Private 5G propositions and solutions across diverse industries spanning across oil & gas, transportation hubs and manufacturing to drive the country’s advancement.
As the largest local cloud provider, TM Cloud Alpha remains the preferred local sovereign hyper-scaled cloud for data residency and locality in Malaysia.
It has also reinforced its role in shaping Malaysia’s modern urban landscapes by being the strategic partner for smart city low-carbon initiatives with local councils. Along with its growing local and global partnerships, it has been appointed to implement and support various digital transformation programmes for its customers.
In recognition of its industry excellence across a suite of end-to-end next generation business solutions, TM One received the accolade for "Best Enterprise Telco" from PC.com.
TM Global on track to make Malaysia the preferred digital hub for ASEAN
TM Global recorded a 10.0% solid revenue growth from RM739.9 million to RM813.6 million, contributed by higher demand for both domestic and international data services.
TM Global remains steadfast in solidifying its stature as Malaysia’s preferred network infrastructure provider, catalysing digital industry and 4G/5G ecosystem while simultaneously positioning the country to become a digital hub for ASEAN.
TM Global continues to deploy its 4G/5G fibre backhaul rollout and drive greater demand for High Speed Broadband Access (HSBA) ports, reinforcing its commitment to support the Government’s aspirations for digital inclusivity in the country.
Beyond borders, TM Global has reinforced its position by enriching the platform play services via strategic collaborations with partners on A2P SMS Gateway in Philippines and Content Delivery Network (CDN) Last Mile Delivery in Thailand.
Additionally, TM Global continued to cater to mega bandwidth requirements with dynamic and customised solutions for hyper-scalers as well as global service providers, cementing its significance on the international stage.
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TM ONE AND SARAWAK DIGITAL ECONOMY CORPORATION (SDEC) BERHAD EXTEND COLLABORATION TO SPUR STATE’S DIGITAL ECONOMY
KUALA LUMPUR & KUCHING, 26 DECEMBER 2024 – TM One, TM’s enterprise and government sector solutions arm, and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad (SDEC) have announced the next phase in their strategic partnership to elevate Sarawak’s digital economy, digital society, and government services through enhanced connectivity. The parties recently exchanged a master service agreement to expand Sarawak’s digital infrastructure, aimed at enhancing connectivity and accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and smart services in driving the state’s digital transformation. The collaboration aligns with the Sarawak Digital Economy Strategy and Post-COVID Development Strategy 2030. This collaboration includes TM One’s Metro-E solution, a flexible, secure, and high-performance bandwidth connectivity scalable to up to 10 Gbps. Its dedicated access for critical applications, proactive security monitoring and nationwide coverage addresses the service levels needed for enterprises and government agencies alike. Shazurawati Abd Karim, TM One’s Executive Vice President, said, “We are pleased to partner with SDEC in advancing Sarawak’s digital transformation. The Metro-E project will bolster Sarawak’s digital economy, fostering innovation, improving access to digital services and bridging the digital divide across locations. High-speed connectivity at these 81 sites is essential for the adoption of advanced technologies, improving customer experiences and operational efficiency. This collaboration solidifies TM One’s commitment to Sarawak’s sustainable long-term growth and digital aspirations, aligning with the state’s 2030 strategies.” The five-year project will also deliver high-speed internet connectivity to underserved and rural areas, supporting key sectors such as education, healthcare, and local businesses. This will facilitate cloud computing, telemedicine, online education, and a variety of other digital solutions, furthering Sarawak’s digital progress. The partnership reaffirms TM One and SDEC’s commitment to transform Sarawak, empowering local communities and businesses, as well as enhancing government services through digital technologies. This collaboration is another milestone in TM’s commitment to enabling Malaysia’s digital transformation and to lead industry growth through digitalisation and sustainability, a pivotal part in TM’s efforts towards becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.
TM inks agreement with DNB to provide fibre connectivity in accelerating rollout of 5G network services nationwide
With a total contract value of RM2 billion over 10 years, the signing of a Fibre Leasing Service agreement with DNB demonstrates TM’s commitment to enable the provision of 5G infrastructure in supporting the Government’s ambitious digital aspiration Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today announces the signing of a Fibre Leasing Service agreement with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) to speed up the deployment of the Government-owned 5G network nationwide. Taking on a leading role in enabling a Digital Malaysia, and as the national connectivity and digital infrastructure provider, TM is at the forefront of technology and innovation to support the country as it moves forward to realise a more digital society, digital business, digital industry and digital Government by 2030. The term sheet agreement with a total contract value of RM2 billion over 10 years was duly signed by Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM and Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Executive Vice President, TM Wholesale while DNB was represented by Augustus Ralph Marshall, Chief Executive Officer and Dushyanthan Vaithiyanathan, Chief Operating Officer. Commenting on the signing, Imri said: “Today’s signing further reinforces the Government’s aspiration of putting in place Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and network. We have always been a strong advocate of infrastructure sharing in providing connectivity services and end-to-end solutions, to enable excellent wireless solutions and services.” DNB will be able to leverage on TM’s extensive fibre and network infrastructure, and subscribe to TM’s 5G RAN-to-Edge Fronthaul and Backhaul solution for the provision of fibre connectivity, enabling DNB to provide 5G network services nationwide. Under the agreement, TM will provide DNB with 5G fibre leasing services for connectivity between DNB’s 5G mobile sites and nodes, leveraging on TM’s domestic fibre cable network spanning over 640,000 km across Malaysia. Prior to this, TM along with other fibre providers in Malaysia had participated in the 5G Fiber Leasing Request for Quotation (RFQ) exercise conducted by DNB in June 2021. “As DNB’s selected partner in implementing the Government’s 5G network rollout plan in Malaysia, the signing of this Fibre Agreement is testament to our advanced network technology and workforce capabilities in delivering fibre solutions throughout the country. Critical in executing this mission is to ensure our network is robust to support the future requirements of 5G and further fuel technological innovation in Malaysia,” Imri added. “In delivering the fibre connectivity for DNB’s 5G network, the local telecommunications vendors and suppliers’ ecosystem shall benefit too, in areas such as engineering services, supply of fibre, accessories, poles, manholes and premise equipment. Based on our current fibre implementation, we expect more than 70% of the work to involve and benefit bumiputera and local companies.” “TM is also excited to utilise DNB’s 5G network to provide 5G services and solutions to our home, SME, enterprise and public sector customers. With the launch of DNB 5G network services yesterday, we will be able to test the 5G network and offer services on a trial basis in selected areas across Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya,” Imri concluded. Today’s signing is in tandem with the implementation of Jalinan Digital Negara’s (JENDELA) action plan and cements TM’s commitment of enabling Digital Malaysia through MyDIGITAL. It is also in support of the Government’s other digital plans encompassing digital connectivity (domestic fiberisation, international connectivity), digital infrastructure (cloud, data centre and cybersecurity) and digital talents (via Multimedia University and TM Digital Academy).
Chairman of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission pays a visit to TM’s 5G use cases in Langkawi
The Company also deployed the region’s first 5G Standalone (SA) network Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) was honored to receive an official working visit by Al-Ishsal Ishak, Chairman of Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to TM's 5G use cases in Langkawi, Kedah recently. The transmission of 5G service in Pulau Langkawi is utilising the region's first 5G Standalone (SA) network, deployed by TM. Al-Ishsal and his delegates were received by Rosli Man, Chairman of TM; Ir. Ts. Azizi A. Hadi, Chief Network Officer, TM; Ahmad Taufek Omar, Executive Vice President / Chief Executive Officer, TM ONE; and Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM Research and Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D). Commenting on the visit, Rosli said: "We are very honored to welcome the Chairman of MCMC to experience our 5G use cases which include UNESCO 8K Virtual Reality (VR) at Langkawi International Airport (LIA) as well as to observe TM's 5G network, smart and innovative solution operations centre at its 5G Command Centre (5GCC). 5GCC serves as an integrated command centre for all our 5G network, smart and innovative solutions in Langkawi. As the national telecommunications infrastructure provider of Malaysia's Digital Nation aspirations, we are indeed excited to be part of this 5G Demonstration Project undertaken by MCMC and showcase our 5G use cases. This signifies our support and capabilities to realise MCMC's aspiration in progressing humanity towards improving the quality of lives of the Rakyat. TM, via our innovative and comprehensive products and solutions will continue to work closely with the Government and MCMC to lay the foundation for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and rolling out 5G nationwide to serve a more digital society and lifestyle, digital businesses and industry verticals, as well as digital Government." During the visit, Al-Ishsal was briefed on TM's capabilities and readiness to deploy 5G network solutions as well as how the Company can power the Government's Digital Malaysia aspirations through its innovative products and solutions. TM also aspires to work together with the local authorities, particularly in Langkawi to make it a safe tourist destination via TM's solutions. Under the 5G Demonstration Project, TM through its enterprise and public sector business solutions arm, TM ONE and its research and development arm, TM R&D are deploying 11 use cases in Langkawi as below: Smart Safety and Security Solutions – a real-time monitoring system consisting of cameras and related monitoring equipment placed in strategic areas to serve variety of purposes, including building/grounds security, crime prevention, and traffic observation and integrated with TM's emergency response team. Smart Agriculture Solutions – a solution that offers single display and real time monitoring that provides information on indoor farming environment's key parameters such as temperature, humidity, grow lights intensity and selected plant parameters that are critical for timely decision making and ensuring optimality of the growth conditions. Smart Traffic Lights Solutions – data driven solution that provides a single dashboard for monitoring and helps to improve traffic flow by reducing waiting time at traffic lights, improve traffic congestions and management of traffic. Smart Parking Solutions – parking system that provides real time parking bay monitoring using camera and Artificial Intelligence (AI) which enable users to search for vacant parking bay via mobile app. UNESCO 8K VR – 8K resolution streaming over cloud, showcasing 2 episodes focusing on (1) geopark & geosites; and (2) lifestyle in Langkawi. Tourists can have a taste of all these hidden treasures through an immersive virtual reality experience for some hard to access locations that are not for the less fit. Smart Tourism "My Smart City" application – a single, integrated mobile app for tourists' convenience as it consists of several features and services such as Trip Planner, Places of Interest, Events & Happenings, Parking, and Alert Button. Smart Retail Analytics – a platform that analyses customer's experience within a physical premise and offers insights to enhance that experience. With this solution, retailers can improve customer experience, sales and brand loyalty as the platform supports customised services, targeted advertising and visitor visibility. Smart Water Management System – an internet of water solution that offers seamless end-to-end smart water integration that improves non-revenue water management, optimises repair and replacement of ageing infra as well as improves response to weather events such as flooding and pollution through smart water level and water quality measurements respectively. Smart Vehicle Management System – a fleet management solution that provides management of commercial motor vehicles for work purposes. Smart Safety Helmet – a data-driven smart industrial helmet that helps make worksite safer by providing live, wireless monitoring and array of sensors (i.e. accident impact and geolocation) to perform various analysis of data. Geolocation People Safety – the tracking solution is designed to protect and connect with people who matters the most that allows users to locate loved ones and receive alert based on safety zone and SOS button through mobile application. With all these uses cases in place and most of it are already up and running, TM has the highest number of 5G use cases among the telcos participating in the 5G Demonstration Project. The demonstration project is for TM to test the new 5G features, explore the 5G technology system and assess the best way to deploy 5G infrastructure nationwide. The transmission of 5G service in Pulau Langkawi has been going live since early December, where TM has deployed the first 5G Standalone (SA) network in the country and the region. The Company is currently testing the implementation of a converged 5G core network which allows co-existence of Non-Stand Alone (NSA) and SA network. SA is the future of the 5G network deployment and this demonstration is crucial to fast track 5G implementation in the country. 5G speed tests conducted within TM's 5G use cases sites have successfully achieved up to 1.5Gbps. TM's aspiration is to deliver efficient and cost effective 5G infrastructure via infrastructure sharing approach, through the access regulations implemented by MCMC. This is by leveraging on its extensive fibre networks, including the submarine cables, telecommunications towers, and Cloud computing as well as ready Data Centres to support the 5G era in Malaysia. In terms of devices and use cases, its wholly-owned subsidiary, TM R&D is also developing and experimenting 5G related equipment to get ready for the upcoming 5G.