Providing best-in-class content to support hoteliers return to normalcy
unifi Business, the preferred digital partner for close to 400,000 SMEs in Malaysia, have signed an agreement to provide innovative hospitality entertainment solutions to five high-value business customers namely, the Genesis Life Care Centre, Aturan Lagenda-Ideas Hotel, Capitol Hotel, Federal Hotel and Corus Hotel.
The agreement provides these businesses access to premium and exclusive content from unifi Business through unifi TV’s hospitality entertainment solutions. Customers will be able to choose from three attractive packs to mix and match over 50 channels in genres ranging from live sports, drama series, blockbuster movies, global news, kids/edutainment, lifestyle and many more.
Mohamad Yusman Ammeran, unifi’s Head of SME Segment shared, “Foreign tourist arrivals reportedly dipped from about 26 million in 2019 to only about 135,000 in 2021 – hitting Malaysia’s tourism industry harder than most other sectors.
“As of June 2022, however, tourist numbers have exceeded 1 million and are expected to rise to 4.5 million by the end of the year. Hoteliers are revitalising their businesses and striving to provide more rewarding, comprehensive experiences in their effort to attract more customers.”
He added, “To support the hospitality industry’s effort to create greater value for their customers, unifi is excited to offer these local businesses our new hospitality entertainment solutions. These are part of our convergence solutions that include connectivity, content, and digital solutions to empower the hospitality industry to ramp up their offerings more quickly.
“In addition to more than 50 world-class channels from which they can choose, this solution provides the best in-room guest experience with five exciting new premium channels, including beIN Sports.”
Ho Hock Doong, Head of unifi TV, explained that the new hospitality entertainment solutions were designed to allow these businesses the flexibility to customise their TV channels, elevating in-room guest experiences while saving costs at the same time. In addition to BEIN SPORTS 1 and 3 HD, the new premium channels selection will include DEGUP HD, CGTN HD and CCTV-4 HD – catering to these businesses’ diverse customers.
The signing ceremony was held at the Kuala Lumpur Tower with Dr Phang Sue Ling, Chief Operating Officer, Genesis Life Care Centre Sdn Bhd; Kharil Hafez Harith Yahya, Aturan Lagenda-Ideas Hotel General Manager; Thomas A/L Anthony of Capitol Hotel; Lim Kae Juang from Federal Hotel; and Teoh Gee Chuan from Corus Hotel representing their respective businesses. In addition to Mohamad Yusman Ammeran and Ho Hock Doong, the signing ceremony was also witnessed by Kenneth Oh, Deputy Secretary, The Malaysia Budget Hotel Association; and Maznan Deraman, Head of SME Medium Business Segment, unifi Business.
Mohamad Yusman concluded, “In supporting SMEs regain their footing post pandemic, we remain committed to helping these local industries become more sustainable and resilient through our comprehensive business solutions. Through these offerings, we strive to empower the hospitality industry to attract more customers, and revitalise both their businesses and the nation’s economy.”
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ONE-MONTH FREE TRIAL ON UNIFI TV’S LATEST STREAMING APP, DURIOO+
Unifi TV, the content and entertainment arm of Unifi, is offering a free one-month trial of its latest streaming app, Durioo+, during this Ramadan period. It will also be offering free access to all of its premium channels during the Raya festivities. Durioo+ is a streaming app that produces and licenses entertaining children’s content with Islamic values, virtues and morals. With its mission to raise children with eemaan, akhlaq and ‘ilm (belief, ethics and knowledge) Durioo+ offers programmes like Mina Mila, Little Ammar, Abibi and many more – bringing safe, fun and educational content for children ages 1 to 12 years old. Offered ad-free, the free trial of this streaming app can be redeemed at unifi.com.my/raya until 30 April 2023. Unifi TV, Malaysia’s largest single TV aggregator platform will also provide free Raya viewing of its premium channels from 21 to 27 April 2023. Filled with special programmes from channels such as Sacred Riana (DEGUP), CoCoMelon (Moonbug Kids), Running Man (ONE) and more, families will be spoilt for choice as they celebrate the festive Raya period. “We are pleased to welcome our latest streaming app partner, Durioo+, whose programmes are especially meaningful during the month of Ramadan. As families spend time together during the fast, we hope to provide safe and inspiring content for children and families, reinforcing the values and virtues that are strongly emphasised during this period”, said Anand Vijayan, TM’s Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Unifi. “At the same time, we want to spread good cheer to all Malaysians, by opening up our full range of entertainment offerings during Raya. This is one of the ways that we are celebrating the nation’s diverse cultures together, by offering something for everyone during this festive period,” he said. To offer even more value to Unifi TV’s subscribers, they can now access the Aneka Plus Pack which will offer free access to VIU and SIAR streaming apps at only RM30 per month. Subscription to the Pack during this promo period includes the Unifi Plus Box and over 50 premium channels housing programmes from Korean variety shows, Hollywood movies, global news, kids animation and more.
TM joins SK Telecom to Pioneer Multi-Access Edge Computing in Malaysia
SEOUL, 6 September 2023 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and SK Telecom today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) to jointly develop the Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) business arrangement in Malaysia. This will pave the way for the business to be pioneered and provisioned in Malaysia. The signing took place at SK Telecom’s headquarters in Seoul in the presence of YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital, Malaysia who had just arrived in South Korea for a working visit. TM was represented by Khairul Liza Ibrahim, TM Global’s covering Executive Vice President, while signing on behalf of SK Telecom was its Vice President and Head of Enterprise CIC of SKT, Kyeong Deog Kim. “I am happy to have witnessed the MoU signing between TM and SK Telecom as there are many opportunities that can be gained from such close cooperation and collaboration. I believe this MoU is a step in the right direction,” said Fahmi. Khairul Liza said, “TM 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. Our next step is to provide the means to empower all our customers in Malaysia and the region with multi-access edge computing from all our data centres around the country. Through this collaboration with SK Telecom, TM is stepping up its game to accelerate innovation for the nation’s progress towards a Digital Malaysia.” “Through collaboration with TM, we have once again confirmed that striving to provide faster and more stable services to customers through multi-access edge computing is a common interest of global telcos,” said Kim Kyeong-deog. “As we have been working actively to create a 5G ecosystem through the development of technology standards and use cases, we will put our best efforts so that our collaboration with TM contributes to creating a better communication environment in Malaysia.”
TM supports 5G deployment in Langkawi with its Integrated Operations Command Centre
Deployed the Region’s First Stand Alone (SA) Dedicated 5G network Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) is fully supportive of the 5G Demonstration Project (5GDP) currently undertaken by Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). The Company has already embarked on a total of 11 use cases in Langkawi and deployed the operations of an Integrated Operations Command Centre (IOCC) which is at the heart of 5G implementation in Langkawi. The IOCC, or also known as 5G Command Centre (5GCC), which is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is an integrated command centre where the data feed and dashboard monitoring of TM 5G network and use cases in Langkawi are centralised. This 5GDP is recording a number of firsts for TM and the country: The first Telco to deploy SA dedicated 5G network in the country and in the region. The first telco in the region to update our Radio Access Network (RAN) and devices with SA dedicated 5G network. The first Telco in the country to achieve 1.5Gbps for 5G speed tests conducted within its 5G use cases sites. Langkawi is the first Smart Tourism Island in the world equipped with 5G Dato’ Noor Kamarul Anuar Nuruddin, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM said: “We fully support MCMC’s 5GDP and we are currently testing the implementation of a converged 5G core network which allows co-existence of Non-Stand Alone (NSA) (5G enabled on current 4G network) and Stand Alone (SA) dedicated 5G network in Langkawi. SA is the future of the 5G network deployment and this demonstration is crucial to fast track 5G implementation in the country. With the implementation of the SA network in Langkawi for the 5GDP, TM is the first Telco that has deployed the first SA dedicated 5G network in the country and in the region. We are also proud to note that 5G speed tests conducted within TM’s 5G use cases sites have achieved up to 1.5Gbps. I’m also pleased to update that TM is the first telco in the region to update our Radio Access Network (RAN) and devices with SA dedicated 5G network.” “For 5GDP in Langkawi, we have deployed the highest number of 5G use cases among the participating telcos and all the 5G network and use cases sites can be monitored via the dashboard at the 5GCC, where our expert, qualified technical team works 24/7 to monitor the operations. It is also linked to the local authorities and emergency response services which allow for the communities as well as tourists to experience a smarter, safer living. In addition, we open the 5GCC for all other Service Providers to deploy their monitoring dashboards so all relevant data can be centralised for collective insights.” Currently, the 5GCC houses the dashboard for the following use cases: Smart Traffic Light Smart Parking Smart Safety and Security Solutions Langkawi Smart Tourism Dashboard (Smart Tourism App and UNESCO 8K VR) Gerbang Langkawi Platform (for Smart Water Management System, Smart Vehicle System, Smart Retail Analytics, Smart Safety Helmet and Geolocation People Safety Solutions) Backed up by analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and data-driven insights, the 5GCC is furnished with advanced integrated security features to serve as a security monitoring centre through closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras being installed at hotspots on the island. It is also equipped with face and vehicle recognition system that will assist authorities in public safety and surveillance as well as with criminal investigation, crime prevention and citizen protection. It also monitors weather sensors, tsunami alarms, wind speed systems that have been installed at TM’s designated 5G use cases sites in Kuah and Cenang. The control centre empowers local agencies in promoting tourism safety and attractions effectively, unravelling businesses growth opportunities for the local and providing a safer and smarter crowd control for tourists that will help drive forward Langkawi as a Smart Tourism Island. The monitoring dashboards provides real-time data and consolidated information from all the use cases, for example traffic, parking and security conditions of the 5G use cases areas in Kuah and Pantai Cenang, water consumption level, retail footfall and customer emotions data, number of incidents and alerts, among others. In addition, the authorities can receive alerts and notifications, such as distress calls and response via a panic button from the closed circuit television (CCTV) poles deployed with the smart safety and security solution, or alerts during emergencies e.g. accidents at the workplace, missing individuals, detection of unhappy customers at retail outlets and detection of dangerous driving. These alerts enable the authorities to mobilise resources swiftly during any undesirable incidents or emergency situations, thereby improving their ability to react and respond to the Rakyat's needs in a timely manner for any emergencies. “As the national telecommunications infrastructure provider of Malaysia’s Digital Nation aspirations, we are honoured to be given the opportunity to establish this 5GCC which demonstrates our expertise and capabilities in delivering 5G services to Malaysians nationwide. We aspire to not only enable the ecosystem but also plans to be a neutral partner for industry players and collaboration partners towards enabling Malaysia’s Digital Economy. This signifies our support for 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,” he added.