01 Jun 2022
TM R&D’s Customer-focused innovations recognised at the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards
In-house smart solutions for Fixed Wireless Access connectivity and customer experience platform for frontliners awarded under “Connectivity-Telecommunications” and “AI-IT Services” categories respectively
Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), recently bagged two awards at the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2022, organised by the Singapore Business Review.
The Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards spotlights exceptional companies who are technology disruptors that boosts Malaysia’s economy. TM’s Fast Internet for All (FIRA) solution was bestowed the award under the “Connectivity-Telecommunications” category, while TM’s Single Platform on Intelligent Customer Experience (SPICE.ai) won the award in the “Artificial Intelligence (AI)-IT Services” category.
Commenting on these awards, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, “I couldn’t be prouder of my team as these awards reflect their commitment to meet the fast-evolving digital needs of today’s customers and strengthen our position as a research leader in these fields. This recognition also reaffirms our efforts in building smarter digital ecosystems to facilitate the ease with which Malaysians can embrace a more digital lifestyle, while also bringing progress to the nation.”
FIRA was introduced as a way to support the government in providing Malaysians with quality access to digital connectivity nationwide. Aimed at offering better internet service to underserved communities, FIRA uses Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technologies to improve connectivity in rural areas across Malaysia. Since its first deployment in Malacca back in July 2020, the solution has demonstrated promising success in improving download and upload link speeds compared to other broadband services. The solution has since been implemented at a rural school in Selangor and at Pusat Komuniti Desa sites under the Ministry of Rural Development. It has also supported an IR4.0 use case in Terengganu.
“FIRA is formulated to address two common issues: coverage and speed. The solution is capable to deliver connectivity up to 50Mbps within 5-8km range, compared to a traditional 4G cell within 1km range. Furthermore, with its quick deployment procedures, FIRA can help mitigate customers’ connectivity concerns in a cost-effective and timely manner,” shared Dr. Sharlene.
SPICE.ai, on the other hand, aims to assist frontliners in their daily task of addressing customer service enquiries and requests.
Dr Sharlene explained, “SPICE.ai consists of multiple components that cover different parts of an existing customer experience system. By integrating these components, frontliners gain a more holistic view of each customers’ profiles. The solution then implements real-time analytics to improve customer experience, giving frontliners the right information at the right time which allows them to deliver a better experience to customers.”
This analytics system has been deployed nationwide for nearly two years and becomes the primary touchpoint for more than 5,000 TM frontliners in most customer interactions across multiple channels. The performance of SPICE.ai has proven to be reliable and seamless even when integrated with more than 20 existing, standalone systems and was still able to relay the processed information through one single platform, on top of providing analytics and advisory.
Established in 2001, TM R&D is the innovation arm of TM Group focusing on creating smarter ecosystems to make business and life easier for a better Malaysia. TM R&D’s solutions are clustered around four pillars namely Intelligent Platforms, Data Brokerage, Connectivity/Tools and IR4.0/Digital Solutions. Growing from strength to strength, TM R&D has won multiple global awards and generated more than 2,800 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and 1,400 digital assets to date. TM R&D’s innovations are developed in-house and cut across multiple industries such as Utilities, Retail, Agriculture, Healthcare and Education, with safety and productivity as its top priority.
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Jangkau Digital TM Reimagines Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman as Malaysia’s First Smart Eco-Village, Driving Rural Digital Inclusion and Nation-Building
KUALA LUMPUR, 14 August 2025 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) has identified Kampung Mukut, Pulau Tioman as the first village for its inaugural Jangkau Digital programme, reimagining the small coastal settlement as a Smart Eco-Village that blends digital connectivity, economic empowerment, education, and environmental stewardship. The initiative is aligned with the Government’s call for organisations to contribute in uplifting rural communities through sustainable and inclusive development. Home to just over 100 residents, Kampung Mukut is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, lush rainforests, serene waterfall, and the towering Dragon Horns of Tioman. Its remoteness has also meant limited access to connectivity and public infrastructure, challenges that Jangkau Digital seeks to address while preserving the village’s unique culture and biodiversity. The programme in Mukut was officially launched by His Royal Highness The Sultan Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, during his recent visit to the village. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer said, “Jangkau Digital TM is about building the right foundations for communities to thrive, from expanding digital access, to unlocking new economic opportunities, nurturing future-ready talent, and safeguarding environment. It reflects our role as a nation builder, ensuring that even the most remote communities are part of Malaysia’s digital future. In Mukut, we are working closely with the community and the Tioman Development Authority as our strategic partner to demonstrate that rural and island villages can progress sustainably, while preserving the heritage and natural beauty that make them unique.” Digital Foundation for Inclusive Growth The transformation begins with robust digital infrastructure across Pulau Tioman. The 75km submarine cable from Kuala Rompin that was deployed by TM, forms the backbone that connects the entire island to Malaysia’s national digital network, effectively bringing the world to Tioman and Tioman to the world. This is followed by the rollout of high-speed fibre broadband and expanded mobile coverage that now reaches all key settlements and tourism hotspots. This upgrade ensures that residents, businesses and visitors across Tioman enjoy stable, high-quality internet access, a critical enabler for economic activity, education, and tourism. In Kampung Mukut, this connectivity has been further strengthened with the installation of outdoor WiFi spanning the village from the jetty and school to the mosque, eateries, homestays, and along scenic trails, enabling tourists to navigate, locals to run online businesses, and students to participate in virtual learning without interruption. Complementing this, TM’s Vision AI CCTV systems have also been deployed at strategic points to improve public safety, manage visitor flows and support responsible tourism in line with Mukut’s eco-tourism appeal. MSME Empowerment & Economic Upliftment With strong digital connectivity as the foundation, entrepreneurs in Mukut are now better positioned to tap into the digital economy. Tourism operators, guesthouses, and boat service providers have been onboarded to visitmukut.com – a community-managed tourism portal powered by TM and enhanced with AI to deliver an end-to-end experience, from discovering Mukut’s natural beauty to booking and engaging with local operators. This is integrated with the Unifi Business Go Bookit app for seamless visitor experiences. This transition to online visibility is strengthening business resilience, particularly for operators who once depended solely on walk-in visitors. To support this shift, TM will conduct targeted training sessions to equip local MSMEs with skills in booking management, social media promotion, and digital content creation, with additional support extended to B40 entrepreneurs via the Sejahtera MADANI programme. By building these capabilities, TM aims to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are shared more broadly across the community, while positioning Mukut as a destination that is digitally accessible. Equipping Students and Teachers for the Future The Jangkau Digital TM also brings the TM Future Skills (TMFS) to SK Mukut as the Champion School. SK Mukut is now linked to SMK Tekek, Tioman’s “nucleus” digital hub school, enabling resource-sharing and access to advanced digital tools. Through this collaboration, students are exposed to coding, robotics, 3D printing and AI learning modules – subjects that previously seemed out of reach in rural settings. Teachers in Mukut also benefit from training programmes that help them integrate STEM content into lessons and maximise the use of digital tools. Beyond the classroom, TM is investing in capability building for the community’s core sporting tradition - sailing. Efforts include upgrading essential infrastructure such as dedicated walkway and slipway to provide safe and convenient access to the waterfront. The Group also goes the extra mile by providing a comprehensive coach training and talent development programme, and providing official sports attire for the school’s sailing team. These initiatives are designed to inspire the students, enhance competitive readiness, and cultivate a new generation of talent capable of competing at the highest levels. This integrated approach ensures that Mukut’s youth can excel both in academics and in sports, proving that rural communities can nurture future champions on multiple fronts. Preserving Environment and Biodiversity In preserving Mukut’s charm, TM is embedding environmental stewardship into every aspect of development. The village’s coral reefs, rainforest trails, and marine biodiversity are recognised as irreplaceable assets, and planned coral protection and trail conservation programmes will ensure these remain intact for future generations. TM’s sustainability commitment extends to the seabed where the presence of submarine cables naturally fosters the formation of artificial reefs, providing vital habitats for marine life and cultivating to long-term biodiversity ecosystem. To further support eco-tourism safety, TM is enhancing measures to ensure the safety of both tour guides and hikers on treks to the Dragon Horns including providing GPS trackers and other digital solutions, helping Mukut maintain its reputation as a safe, well-managed destination for adventure tourism. By combining digital technology with environmental care, Jangkau Digital TM reinforces the idea that progress in rural communities can go hand in hand with sustainability. Greater Purpose of TM “Our aspiration to become Malaysia’s Digital Powerhouse by 2030 is grounded in our greater purpose to enable progress that is inclusive, sustainable, and meaningful for all. When students in Mukut can explore robotics, local entrepreneurs can reach customers worldwide, and young athletes can train for national glory, all while preserving their environment, we see the true value of digital transformation. Jangkau Digital TM in Mukut is just the beginning, and we are committed to extending this progress to other rural islands and communities across the nation,” concluded Amar.
TM Statement on Cable Theft Incident in Johor Bahru
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 January 2025 – Following the recent cable theft incident in Johor Bahru involving the group known as “Geng Boy” who were apprehended by the police, TM is fully cooperating with the authorities to facilitate their investigation. As the matter is still ongoing, we are unable to provide additional comments at this time. Cable theft is a serious offense that endangers lives, disrupts essential services that Malaysians rely on daily, and impacts the community. Protecting our national infrastructure is vital, and we urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately by calling 999 or visiting the nearest police station. TM is committed to ensuring the security and reliability of our nation’s digital infrastructure, and we will continue to collaborate closely with the authorities to prevent such incidents in the future. We thank the Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) for their swift and effective action, as well as members of the public for their vigilance and support in addressing these crimes.
Unifi TV Launches Original Content
Kuala Lumpur, 23 October 2023 – Unifi TV today launched Unifi TV Originals, its own original production to provide greater diversity and valuable content to its viewers. The series and movies line up are locally tailored to satisfy Malaysian viewers which include urban legends, folklore stories and social issues familiar to Malaysians. Customers will be able to enjoy Unifi TV Original series and movies starting with the first series of “Nak Dengar Cerita Hantu?” directed by Sabri Yunus and written by Sophillea. This is an 8-episode series of Malaysian urban legends and folklore tales passed down through generations. The casts featuring renowned local talents such as Namron, Beto Kusyairi, Nora Danish, Uqasha Senrose, Elizabeth Tan, Sean Lee, Thanuja and more will ensure the series remain a true Malaysian affair. Catch the premier of the series on 27 October 2023 with new episodes every Friday at 9.00pm, exclusively on DEGUP (Unifi TV channel 120). Viewers who missed the 9.00pm time slot, will be able to catch the episode through Unifi TV’s Catch Up feature. The series can also be streamed over the Unifi TV app. Anand Vijayan, TM’s Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Unifi said, “We are excited to launch our Unifi TV Originals on DEGUP channel. These original productions allow us to compete with other content platforms and providers, offering diverse content to our viewers. This will also create opportunities to the local entertainment industry to showcase their work.” Partnering with local production houses; Golden Adventure Creative (Nak Dengar Cerita Hantu?), NS Star Sdn. Bhd. (Gemersik Berbisik series) and Nuansa Sdn. Bhd. (Bara Jiwa series) with well-known directors and cast like Sabri Yunus, Osman Ali, Amorizan, Elisya Sandha, Ezzrin Loy, Yasmin Hani and many more, Unifi TV aspires to produce high-quality and exciting content, for its viewers through Unifi TV Originals. “The rest of the original series spanning action, horror and thriller genres will be released in the next 12 months. Working with experienced talents in the industry will ensure the delivery of top-quality drama series and movies and we hope that this produces the best content for our Unifi TV subscribers while supporting development of the local entertainment industry,” concluded Anand. To find out more about Unifi TV and its current offerings, visit https://unifi.com.my/tv.
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