MIDA as the lead agency of MITI in implementing strategies for Industry4WRD; collaborates with TM One for the deployment of high-speed internet connection for the nationwide programme

TM One, the enterprise and public sector business solutions arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) had successfully deployed high speed broadband (HSBB) accessibility services to 33 industrial areas within the Northern, Southern and Eastern regions; including Sabah and Sarawak, in February 2021. The implementation is in support of Industry4WRD, a National Policy on Industry 4.0, that was launched by Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), designed to transform the Malaysian manufacturing industry and its related services to be smarter, more systematic and resilient.​

The deployments followed the signing of a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) in July 2020 with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) - as the implementation agency for the Industry4WRD funds - for the installation of new high-speed internet network infrastructure to boost and secure data connectivity; accelerating Industry4WRD adoption among industry players and businesses. The deployments were completed ahead of schedule, initially aimed to be completed by June 2021, and are focused on systematically addressing and removing key connectivity bottlenecks in the priority locations.

Dato' Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA commended, "We are pleased to establish this proactive engagement and collaboration with TM, through TM One; reflecting our shared commitment to ensure seamless and stable connectivity of Industry4WRD undertakings by our investors. This HSBB commitment is crucial to advance the level of digital compatibility, in strengthening Malaysia's economy amidst the pandemic and beyond."

"The profound importance of high-speed internet connection to support the adoption of IR4.0 by businesses in Malaysia has led the MITI to propose for MIDA to obtain specific funding under the Industry4WRD agenda, towards the implementation of HSBB in the identified industrial areas across Malaysia. The Government has made the allocation under the Development Fund to MIDA, amounting up to RM19 million," added Dato' Azman.

Meanwhile, Mohd Roslan Mohd Rashidi, Vice President Sales, TM One informed, "We are happy to announce that we had successfully completed the HSBB deployments ahead of target in these areas despite the Covid-19 situation. This collaboration with MIDA has enabled us to increase our momentum towards delivering efficient, widespread and affordable HSBB access across the country. Amidst the pandemic, industries and businesses have to leverage and keep up with the latest digital transformation trends to remain relevant in this digital age. They now rely heavily on Internet connectivity and the latest technologies to be more productive, efficient and competitive; enabling greater automation and richer insights through big data analytics. We are also seeing a shift in the way information technology is utilised through cloud computing, system integration and Internet of Things (IoT). Industries are also enhancing human capacity through artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous robots."

"A robust national digital infrastructure is the key enabler to build a high-income digital economy. In serving the digital economy, TM hopes to further enable the transformation of core processes across all priority sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, oil and gas, besides promoting the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. This collaboration fits well in TM's unique role as the enabler of Digital Malaysia," he added.

As Malaysia's national telecommunications provider, TM is a trusted institution, committed to enabling a Digital Malaysia future as an advance-tech nation with its digital and socio-economic aspirations through reliable network infrastructure and connectivity excellence. TM is ready to provide the best customer experience with innovative and reliable solutions towards fulfilling the objectives of the MyDIGITAL Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, and in supporting widespread quality connectivity for Malaysians nationwide.