26 Aug 2024
TM Sustains EBIT Growth in 1H 2024, Declares Higher Interim Dividend of 12.5 sen per Share
1H 2024 Key Highlights (vs 1H 2023)
· Operating revenue remained steady at RM5.74 billion
· EBIT increased by 14.5% to RM1.26 billion
· Fixed broadband subscribers grew by 1.2% to 3.143 million
· Interim Dividend declared at 12.5 sen per share, up from 9.5 sen in the previous year
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2024 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) today announced its financial results for the first half ended 30 June 2024 (1H 2024), remaining resilient amidst a challenging market environment.
The Group recorded a 14.5% growth in Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT), reaching RM1.26 billion compared to RM1.10 billion in the same period last year, driven by continued focus on enhancing operational efficiency and effective cost management. Meanwhile, TM’s operating revenue for 1H 2024 remained steady at RM5.74 billion, reflecting consistent performance.
Profit after Tax and Non-Controlling Interests (PATAMI) in 1H 2024 decreased by 8.6% to RM821.2 million due to a one-off tax credit in 2023. Nevertheless, the Group’s fundamentals remained strong and continued to underpin its growth trajectory. In line with this, TM has declared a higher interim dividend of 12.5 sen per share, amounting to RM479.7 million, an increase from 9.5 sen per share interim dividend declared in the previous year.
Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “Our latest Unifi UniVerse continues to excite the market. Its comprehensive suite of convergence offerings provides a seamless experience that meets the diverse needs of digital consumers. As a result, we have seen growth in our customer base, strengthening TM’s position as Malaysia’s true convergence champion.
“We are also advancing Malaysia’s digital infrastructure through the development of the Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999) in collaboration with various Government agencies. Leveraging advanced technologies such as data analytics and AI, this initiative will significantly improve the nation’s emergency response capabilities in replacement of the existing MERS999.
“We proactively explore new business opportunities through strategic partnerships such as the recent collaboration with Singtel’s Nxera to build a sustainable, hyperconnected AI-ready mega data centre in Johor. This initiative will support high-performance computing and future cloud and AI applications for hyperscalers and tech providers. Simultaneously, we remain committed to supporting Malaysia’s 5G ecosystem, ensuring that Malaysians benefit from the latest advancements in connectivity and digital services.
“We are focused on strengthening our core fundamentals, managing costs effectively, and seizing growth opportunities to ensure we stay well-positioned for the future. We remain steadfast in driving our aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030, while positioning Malaysia as the digital hub for the region,” said Amar.
Capital expenditure (CAPEX) in 1H 2024 amounted to RM460 million, representing 8.0% of total revenue. The Group plans to ramp up this investment towards the end of the year, focusing on enhancing its network infrastructure both nationwide and regionally. This includes the development of new submarine cable systems and the expansion of data centres.
The Group maintains a positive outlook for the current year, aligning with its 2024 market guidance.
Lines of Businesses (LOBs) Performance
Unifi Maintains Leadership in Converged Services
Unifi recorded a 1.2% increase in fixed broadband subscribers, reaching 3.143 million in 1H 2024, supported by customer acquisition and retention strategies. Unifi also gained positive traction with its latest mobile proposition and will continue improving and adapting its mobile offerings to better meet customer needs.
During the period, Unifi launched UniVerse, a suite of its best convergence offerings for home internet, mobile, entertainment and lifestyle solutions and introduced the newest UNI5G WOW Prepaid offering with unlimited 5G + 4G data with uncapped 5G speed and rewards, catering to needs of today’s digital customers. Unifi’s most recent offer is the limited-time promotion of 200GB 5G Monthly Data Pass for just RM1. This fantastic add-on gives UNI5G Postpaid 39 customers an extra 200GB of high-speed 5G data every month, enhancing their mobile experience significantly. For more information, visit https://unifi.com.my and https://unifi.com.my/mobile/postpaid.
Unifi’s excellence was recognised with several awards including the Best Fixed Business Service Provider and Best Home Broadband Service Provider at the recent PC.com 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, Ookla's Fastest Wi-Fi Provider in Malaysia award, and the World’s No.1 Fastest 5G Download Speed provider from Open Signal.
TM One Drives Digital Transformation for Enterprises and Government
TM One sustained a positive momentum in 1H 2024, achieving a 2.1% increase in revenue compared to the same period last year, reaching RM1.41 billion amidst a challenging business environment.
During the period, TM One launched the Innovation Lab and Enterprise 5G Lab, collaborative spaces designed to accelerate the realisation of emerging digital services and solutions such as Enterprise 5G and AI-powered industry solutions for both enterprises and government sectors. Additionally, TM One introduced Cybershield Simulation, a cybersecurity product that simulates real-life cyber-attack scenarios, helping organisations enhance their cybersecurity preparedness. On top the NG999 initiative, it has also recently successfully deployed a Private 5G network at PETRONAS LNG Complex in Bintulu, Sarawak in collaboration with the national oil and gas company, – signalling further advancements in connectivity and efficiency for the energy industry.
TM One’s leadership in technology solutions was recognised with the Best Technology Solution Service Provider at the recent PC.com 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
TM Global Strengthens Malaysia’s Position as a Digital Hub for the Region
TM Global delivered a steady performance in 1H 2024, with a 0.6% revenue increase to RM1.49 billion, driven by higher revenues from managed wavelength and domestic data. TM Global is expanding its digital infrastructure, including international connectivity and data centre services, to meet the global carriers and hyperscalers’ demands. Key initiatives include the development of a mega data centre in Johor in partnership with Singtel’s Nxera, as well as expansion of its existing Klang Valley Data Centre (KVDC) and Iskandar Puteri Data Centre (IPDC).
It has also made progress in deploying extensive 4G and 5G backhaul sites nationwide and increasing high-speed broadband access in Malaysia, in supporting digital inclusivity across the nation.
TM Global was recognised in multiple awards - Telecom Company of the Year – Malaysia, and the Wholesale Company Initiative of the Year – Malaysia, at the Asian Telecom Awards as well as Best Operator in Emerging Market Category at the Carrier Community Global Awards 2024.
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As nation shows encouraging signs of recovery, TM posts strong results for first nine months of 2021 revenue up 6.8%, net profit increases 7.7%
Group Operating Revenue in Jan - Sept 2021 (YTD Sept) grew 6.8% to RM8.38 billion compared to the same period last year Continued focus in supporting the nation's sustainability and recovery has resulted in Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) posting a strong financial result in the first nine months of 2021. Fuelled by high demand for digital connectivity and solutions, TM continues its positive trajectory for the year with a solid performance in the third quarter (3Q2021). YTD Sept 2021 Financial Highlights (vs YTD Sept 2020) Solid revenue growth, with a 6.8% increase to RM8.38 billion, from RM7.84 billion in the same period last year. This achievement is driven by revenue increase from all lines of products, particularly Internet services which saw a 6.8% increase on the back of steady growth in fixed broadband customer base. Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) grew by 17.1% to RM1,414.8 million, from RM1,208.6 million as a result of revenue growth and continuous cost optimisation initiatives. PATAMI increased by 7.7% to RM815.3 million compared to RM756.7 million, following sound operating profits. Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM commented: "Throughout 2021, we've focused our efforts to deliver digital connectivity and solutions in supporting the sustainability and recovery of our country. As a result, we are able to deliver another solid quarter of revenue and net profit growth. Our next focus will be on delivering enhanced customer experience and strengthening our digital offerings across all customer segments in unifi, TM ONE and TM WHOLESALE. With movement control restrictions in Malaysia continue to be eased and the economy gains momentum, we remain committed to serve the nation. We will continue to play our leading role in Malaysia's digitalisation drive outlined by the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) action plan, 2022 Budget and the 12th Malaysian Plan, including MyDIGITAL blueprint. As we continue our shift towards becoming a human-centred technology company, we will develop innovative solutions and drive digital adoption across our broad customer base of home, SME, corporate and Government customers – anchored on enhanced customer experience. Supporting this evolution, will be our new way of working at TM – focusing on increased productivity through digitalisation and process automation, upskilling of our existing workforce and welcoming new digital talents." Driving digital adoption and a new way of working in the post-pandemic era TM recorded the highest increase in unifi subscribers for three consecutive quarters. In the quarter under review, TM registered an additional 210,000 new unifi subscribers in both the consumer and micro, small and medium sized enterprise (MSMEs) segments. This record-breaking growth is fuelled by high demand for connectivity and digitalisation tools which have become an important necessity. To deliver this demand, TM has been adding higher number of broadband ports and delivering a wider fibre network coverage. This expansion has exceeded TM's committed targets in JENDELA action plan. The fast network rollout together with strong frontline support, a steady marketing push and speedy installation had cemented customer's confidence and trust. Beyond connectivity, unifi has steadily strengthened its entertainment proposition with the addition of 19 new content offerings comprising 7 content streaming services and 12 new channels. Supporting the Government's push to digitalise MSMEs, unifi registered encouraging increase of productivity and digital tools utilisation amongst its 375,000 MSME customers, leveraging the Government's Digitalisation Grant. Focusing on enhanced customer experience Customer experience remains our key focus across all segments and we continue to introduce new experience features and improvements in this area. For unifi customers, we continue to innovate and improve in the management of user experience. We now provide customers with a proactive early detection and intervention support for broadband connectivity and ensuring fast resolution of service. As a market leader, TM commits to a continued focus on customer experience, with progressive releases of more new experience leveraging on analytics. TM WHOLESALE was recently awarded the Best Asia Pacific Zero Outage Supplier by T-Systems amidst intense competition from other established telcos in the region. This recognition signifies TM's commitment and focus to provide the best quality service to our telco and hyperscaler customers. Enabling digital solutions in the Enterprise and Public sectors TM ONE remains steadfast in its commitment to realise the nation's MyDIGITAL blueprint and support efforts to rebuild the economy in both the Enterprise and Public sectors. New sales and contract renewal across the Enterprise and Public sectors are encouraging in the post pandemic recovery period with TM ONE providing digital connectivity and solutions for the Digital Community Centre in rural areas, regional cloud services and major financial institutions. TM ONE maintains its role as a trusted business partner driving digital transformation for Enterprise and Public sectors especially in business process automation via partnerships with global digitalisation partners such as SAP. Delivering network for the Industry TM WHOLESALE continues its "telco for telcos" role by providing wholesale services and solutions to all Malaysian licensed service providers. In line with the overall growth of broadband, TM WHOLESALE recorded high demand for its wholesale broadband service. As the primary mobile backhaul provider for the industry, TM WHOLESALE registered an increase in bandwidth utilisation of its Next Generation Backhaul service by major mobile telcos. This also positions TM as a capable enabler for Malaysia's 5G network deployment. Internationally, TM WHOLESALE continues to strengthen its partnership ecosystem with global telcos and hyperscalers, and has recorded significant growth of international bandwidth traffic. This is further complemented by the coverage increase of the global content delivery network (CDN) with more than 80 CDN nodes worldwide. TM WHOLESALE has also established a collaboration with a Tier 1 Internet Protocol (IP) transit provider – Tata Communications – to offer high-speed and reliable connectivity in the ASEAN region and open access to global enterprises. At the same time, we have successfully on boarded more than 15 major international hyperscalers and digital service providers in TM's core data centres. All of the above positions Malaysia positively as a digital and technology hub in ASEAN. A socially responsible Corporate Citizen TM played its part in supporting the fight against COVID-19 via various programmes. Overall, TM has contributed over RM9.5 million for humanitarian and community initiatives this year including to Tabung CERDIK and COVID-19 GLC/GLIC (GDRN) fund. TM also provided digital connectivity services to more than 400 PPVs nationwide, in addition to converting three of its premises into PPVs at its Multimedia University (MMU) campuses in Cyberjaya and Melaka, plus Kompleks TM Taiping. TM had also spent over RM16.0 million on several safety protocols and preventive measures across its customer operations to ensure the wellbeing of our frontliners and customers. These measures include providing personal protective equipment (PPE), weekly COVID-19 screening, UV air treatment and other workplace measures.
TM and Cybersecurity Malaysia join forces to strengthen national cyberspace resilience
Both companies will leverage each other’s expertise, technical capabilities and global best practices to create a safer and more robust cyber ecosystem. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) via its enterprise and public sector business solutions arm, TM ONE, today sealed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) with CyberSecurity Malaysia, the national cybersecurity specialist agency under the purview of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM), to empower and strengthen the level of cybersecurity in Malaysia. The MoC was signed in a virtual event by Dato' Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Abdul Wahab FASc, Chief Executive Officer, CyberSecurity Malaysia and Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), TM. The ceremony was witnessed by General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Mohd Azumi Mohamed (Retired) Chairman of the Board of Directors, CyberSecurity Malaysia and Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh, Chairman of TM. The event was also graced by the presence of YB Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia. Commenting on key aspects of the memorandum, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh noted: "We are honoured to collaborate with CyberSecurity Malaysia in this strategic initiative, which is aimed at elevating the nation's cybersecurity network and ecosystem and strengthening Malaysia's self-reliance in cyberspace. It is vital for the adoption of cybersecurity to be in tandem with the pace of transformation in order to secure our digital economy. Being a strategic partner, it is our pleasure to lend our expertise not just for this initiative but in Malaysia's mission to enhance its cybersecurity capabilities. This collaboration will enable both parties to enhance the ability of the public and business sectors to fend off cyberattacks that can come from all corners of the world and make cybersecurity a key thrust towards a sustainable digital economy, digital government and digital society. TM as the enabler of Digital Malaysia, is here to bridge the need for cybersecurity in order to successfully use cloud services; and to enable organisations to focus on their transformation journey, securely and comfortably." Meanwhile, General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Mohd Azumi Mohamed (Retired) said, "As a cybersecurity specialist and technical agency, CyberSecurity Malaysia is strongly committed to ensure the e-Security aspects of the country and will continue to identify areas that could endanger national security and the well-being of the people. The main focus is to strengthen capacity through monitoring and providing effective response towards cyber threats and attacks to avoid major impact. With the signing of this strategic partnership, the principles and mechanisms of collaboration will enable both entities to merge and benefit from each other's technology and expertise, thus enabling both organisations to act as commercial strategic partners locally and internationally." The initiative between both parties includes the sharing of global best practices, leveraging each other's technical capabilities and is set to deliver optimal cybersecurity technology solutions to local enterprises and public sectors. TM's role encompasses offering end-to-end comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to both Malaysia and the world. This is delivered principally through CYDEC, which is a portfolio of active cyber defense capabilities, managed security products and services, powered by TM's Global Security Operations Center (GSOC). CYDEC is indeed paving the way for greater digital trust and cyber resilience in the digital era. These managed security services ensure access to real-time, continuous, predictive cybersecurity, quickly and without complexity, for added assurance and is well-positioned to secure and protect our nation's strategic Critical Network & Information Infrastructure (CNII). Another key aspect of this strategic collaboration is to explore the development of advanced security monitoring capabilities by tapping on TM ONE's extensive cloud infrastructure. Both parties will also endeavour to advance digital forensic capabilities and enhance incident response services. This will eventually feature cyber-outreach, a capability and capacity development programme, which will help to upscale the skillset and digital intelligence potential of Malaysia's public and private sector workforce. This MoC also signals the continued urgency of addressing the relentless surge of cyber threats impacting both the public and business sectors as a fundamental step to enabling a sustainable, safe and successful digital society. TM ONE CYDEC cybersecurity solution comprises four (4) key elements: Managed Security Service Provider – an end-to-end security solution and management in real-time through predictive protection on private or public networks Cybersecurity Subscription Service – a self-service Digital Risk Protection portal powered by a renowned global telecommunications player, Telefonica Digital Identity Services – provide authority certificates and digital signatures that comply with Malaysia's regulatory and legal systems Professional Services – offers holistic security consulting and assessment services on an organisation's cybersecurity strategy and landscape For further information on TM ONE CYDEC cybersecurity solution, visit www.tmone.com.my/solutions/cybersecurity-services and for more info on CyberSecurity Malaysia, visit www.cybersecurity.my.
TM AND ZTE MALAYSIA ENTER INTO A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP NEXT-GENERATION TECH THROUGH HYBRID CLOUD 5G CORE NETWORK
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd have entered into a new partnership to build a hybrid cloud 5G core network that is designed for future technologies and applications. Over the next three years, this strategic partnership will foster innovation and advancement of state-of-the-art technologies for TM’s 5G Core project, which includes bare metal containers, SDN-based architecture, hardware acceleration, CUPS, and 3-layer decoupling. Advancements in these technologies will propel the development of a converged, open, reliable, trusted and efficient 5G core network. This rollout is anticipated to transform and revolutionise the way that data will be processed and transmitted, which could significantly impact the development of future technologies and applications. Developing a high-capacity network will also address the rising need for network bandwidth and speed as Malaysia’s 5G adoption and ecosystem accelerates. The integration of this converged network will strengthen TM’s capabilities to provide seamless connectivity and exceptional network performance, serving a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and education. Additionally, the hybrid cloud 5G core network will aid in the growth of smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), and other next-generation technologies that necessitate rapid, low-latency connectivity. This collaboration marks a significant achievement in the advancement of 5G technology in Malaysia, with the novel hybrid cloud 5G core network anticipated to revolutionise Malaysia’s telecommunications industry. With the deployment of these sophisticated technologies, customers will gain unparalleled user experience, while also improving the network's dependability, safety, and efficiency. Jasmine Lee Sze Inn, TM’s Executive Vice President for Mobile said, “TM is pleased to partner ZTE in building a hybrid cloud 5G core network that is designed to meet the rising needs for future technologies. This strategic partnership will transform 5G-enabled networks to deliver innovative solutions and services through our state-of-the-art network and infrastructure, and enable seamless connectivity and exceptional network performance. “We believe that this collaboration will further accelerate the adoption of 5G networks across Malaysia, and enable next-generation technology such as smart cities, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, automation and other future technologies to drive both industry and the nation’s digital agenda forward.” ZTE Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Steven Ge, is also excited about the prospect of this collaboration and how it will advance the development of a converged, open, reliable, trusted and efficient 5G core network. Mr Steven Ge said: “We’re excited to strengthen our partnership with TM through the development of a hybrid cloud 5G core network. This will accelerate the launch of 5G network across Malaysia, which will bring forth new innovation into the market. As a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions we are confident that the advancement of our hybrid cloud 5G core network will be the model for future networks. ZTE is committed in this collaboration that will put Malaysia as one of the leading countries in the region to roll-out its 5G network.”
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