20 Jan 2023
TM R&D inks MoU with ZTE to collaborate on optical network research, bringing the first 50gbps bandwidth experience to Malaysia
Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd (ZTE), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, to collaborate on optical network research, bringing the first 50Gbps bandwidth experience to Malaysia.
The MoU was signed by Dr Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D and Steven Ge, Chief Executive Officer, ZTE Malaysia.
Under this agreement, TM R&D and ZTE will jointly explore the capabilities of next-generation Passive Optical Network (PON) access technology, 50GPON, to support various application scenarios. In addition, both entities will look into use cases that can deliver ultra-broadband access to the government, enterprise and consumers, as well as support the requirements of innovative services such as 5G, Cloud Virtual Reality (VR), industrial intelligent manufacturing for high bandwidth, low latency & jitter, and clock synchronisation, all of which will enhance the user experience in Malaysia.
Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, “TM R&D is committed to conducting research on future technologies and innovating new value-added smarter eco-systems that will improve the quality of user experience, and ultimately bring a positive impact on their lives. This fits well into the TM Group’s transformation towards becoming a human-centred TechCo. We are very excited to partner with a renowned global player such as ZTE to innovate on future generation PON technology in line with the global trend and technology roadmap.”
Meanwhile, Steven Ge, Chief Executive Officer, ZTE Malaysia shared, “With Gigabit home broadband services widely used in Malaysia at present, and the basic fixed network is in the time window of evolution from GPON to 10G PON, this partnership could not have come at a better time.”
“ZTE is pleased with the opportunity to collaborate with TM R&D on future research in next-generation PON technology supporting Digital Malaysia,” he added.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
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
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.
TM lauds the government’s national recovery plan; stays committed to serve customers
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) lauds the Government on the announcement of the National Recovery Plan which outlines the four-phase exit strategy and conditions for Malaysia to overcome the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. TM is fully supportive of the recovery plan that is anchored on three conditions – the number of daily cases reported, the medical healthcare capacity (ICU) and the national vaccination rate. Commenting on the announcement, Imri Mokhtar, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer, TM said: "We welcome the clarity provided by the Government on the National Recovery Plan. It is indeed a necessary response to the serious economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic. We hope that through the effective implementation of this plan, the nation will be able to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic to a reasonable level of normality by year end, revive the economy and place the country on a new growth trajectory." "TM as an essential services provider continues to ensure Malaysians remain connected in the safety of their homes and that all our customer support services remain in operation throughout each phase of the recovery plan. As the enabler of Digital Malaysia, TM is committed to playing our part to support all our customer segments across homes, businesses, industry as well as the public sector with connectivity and digital infrastructure and solutions towards economic recovery. All of us at TM pray for the safety and health of all Malaysians nationwide; stay safe and ensure that we get vaccinated - together may we return stronger," he concluded. TM is taking proactive measures in its operations to ensure homes and businesses stay connected; strictly adhering to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines set by the National Security Council (MKN). TMpoint outlets and key partner stores are open for service applications and essential transactions subject to government and local authority regulations. Service installation and restoration activities remain available for customers with SOPs in place to ensure the safety of both TM personnel and its customers. TM customer care lines remain open. Additionally, customers are encouraged to utilise our 24/7 self-serve digital platforms for service registration, service diagnostics, account-related enquiries as well as payment. TM supports the National Immunisation Programme and encourages Malaysians to register for vaccination to ensure the country can achieve herd immunity. TM also runs its own internal vaccination drive and thus far, 65% of Warga TM has registered. TM will also be running an internal campaign to rally its TM Volunteers by participating in the Malaysia Vaccine Support Volunteers (MyVAC) programme for The Special Committee On COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) to assist with the vaccination process at Vaccine Delivery Center (PPV) locations across the country. TM is also offering its suitable venues nationwide for PPV, drive through and mobile unit stations. Today, its Multimedia University Melaka campus begins its operations as a PPV facility for JKJAV. TM also connects PPVs nationwide with internet access services to enable the frontliners, medical teams, volunteers as well as members of the public to stay connected during the vaccination process. More than RM8.0 million has been channeled for nation building initiatives to date; in terms of medical and non-medical humanitarian aid for communities in need during the pandemic. Most recently, TM has also set up Tabung Solidarity COVID-19 TM as a continuation of the employee donation drive last year, which has already raised and disbursed RM800,000 to various causes. Thus far, TM Board members and Warga TM have pledged another RM600,000 for the fund through voluntary salary and allowance deduction. The contribution is matched by the company to total RM1.2 million to date. The donation will be channelled to the government's Akaun Amanah Bencana. TM also continues to support the nation and communities in need through connectivity initiatives such as Jaringan Prihatin, CERDIK and MYBAIKHATI. TM reiterates its commitment to ensure the safety and health of customers and Warga TM with special working arrangements implemented and enhanced SOPs towards business and customer service continuity. The Company will continually monitor for developments on the ongoing situation, adhere to the SOPs under the specific phases detailed out by MKN and adapt its services to help customers, whenever needed as the safety of its employees and members of the public are of paramount importance.
TM Delivers Steady Performance in Q1 2025, Positions for Long-term Growth
Q1 2025 Key Highlights (vs Q1 2024) Operating Revenue increased by 0.5% YoY to RM2.85 billion EBIT and PATAMI stood at RM550.3 million and RM401.2 million, respectively Fixed Broadband Subscribers increased by 1.6% CAPEX at RM280.0 million, representing 9.8% of revenue KUALA LUMPUR, 28 May 2025 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2025 (Q1 2025), reflecting positive topline growth amidst an evolving and dynamic market landscape. The Group’s operating revenue increased by 0.5% year-on-year (YoY) to RM2.85 billion, primarily driven by higher revenue from data, other telecommunication services and education segment. Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) stood at RM550.3 million due to the shift in recognition of 5G access costs, higher device costs in line with stronger device revenue and unfavourable foreign exchange movements. Consequently, Profit After Tax and Non-Controlling Interests (PATAMI) came in at RM401.2 million, a 5.6% decline YoY, partially mitigated by lower net finance costs. Capital expenditure (CAPEX) for the quarter was RM280.0 million, accounting for 9.8% of revenue, on track to meet the 2025 guidance range. The majority of it focused on expanding digital infrastructure such as existing data centres, domestic fibre network and submarine cable systems, which are crucial for a thriving and vibrant digital ecosystem. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM Group Chief Executive Officer said, “TM’s performance in Q1 2025 reflects our disciplined execution of our strategic priorities aimed at long-term value creation amidst dynamic market landscape. Nevertheless, our fundamentals remain strong, marked by steady performance, continued operational efficiency, and a growing customer base.” “During the quarter, we sustained fixed broadband subscribers' growth and continued to delight our customers through attractive Unifi UniVerse bundled device offerings, delivering seamless home internet, mobile and lifestyle solutions. This further reinforced our position as Malaysia’s Convergence Champion with the only quad-play services. We also observed positive traction on our national cloud solutions that enable digital transformation across enterprise and public sectors, alongside significant data demand from hyperscalers. In addition, our recent strategic collaboration with U Mobile to provide high-capacity 5G fibre backhaul is a testament of TM’s strength and ability to deliver at scale, speed and quality.” “We remain focused on strengthening our core to better position ourselves in capitalising emerging opportunities such as data centres, GPU-as-a-Service, cloud and smart services. These efforts are underpinned by our nation-building commitments especially in talent development, community initiatives, and digital empowerment, driving digital inclusivity and ensuring no one is left behind. By aligning business growth with meaningful impact, we demonstrate that commercial success and achieving a higher purpose can go hand in hand, bringing us closer to our aspiration of becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030 and position Malaysia as the digital hub of ASEAN,” Amar concluded. TM maintains a confident outlook driven by disciplined execution, strategic investment, and a forward-looking approach to value creation. Lines of Businesses (LOBs) Performance B2C Strengthens Position as the Market Leader in Converged Services TM’s B2C segment, anchored by Unifi, recorded a revenue of RM1.39 billion in Q1 2025 YoY. It also reinforced its leadership in convergence offerings with a 1.6% year-on-year increase in fixed broadband subscribers, reaching 3.185 million contributed by traction from TM’s Unifi UniVerse convergence offerings, which bundle home internet, mobile, content, and lifestyle services to meet the demand of today’s digital customers. At the same time, Unifi Business continued to empower over 400,000 MSMEs nationwide with digital solutions tailored to their needs. The Group’s convergence model is designed not only to enhance customer retention, but also to create sustained revenue opportunities across multiple service lines. Investments in AI-driven service operations, predictive maintenance, and digital self-service channels further support this model, enabling TM to manage cost-to-serve while strengthening customer lifetime value. For more information, visit https://unifi.com.my/all-in-one, https://unifi.com.my/tv/ and https://biz.unifi.com.my/ B2B Drives Digital Transformation for Enterprises and Government TM’s B2B segment, anchored by TM One, recorded a revenue of RM668.7 million in Q1 2025. It achieved positive growth in Beyond Connectivity, driven by stronger performance in customer projects, outsourcing business, and ICT services including cloud and cybersecurity. The segment continued to enhance its digital solution offerings, including smart services, cybersecurity, and AI-powered solutions. As the national cloud provider, it is driving digital transformation through secure, sovereign and scalable cloud infrastructure. At the same time, the launch of sector-specific events called "TM One NEXT Series" showcasing and discussing the latest technology solutions for various industries underscored TM’s commitment to driving innovation and accelerating digital adoption across key verticals. It also supported digital inclusivity efforts by powering the Sentuhan Digital Madani Kiosks with 5G Fixed Wireless Access, reinforcing its role as a trusted digital enabler. C2C Strengthens Malaysia’s Position as a Digital Hub for the Region TM’s C2C segment, anchored by TM Global delivered a positive performance in Q1 2025 with revenue reaching RM760.9 million, a 2.4% YoY increase, primarily driven by higher revenue from international data and growing demand for data centre services. Domestically, TM Global continued the rollout of mobile backhaul to support 5G and increased wholesale broadband access to strengthen last-mile delivery, ensuring reliable, high-speed connectivity across the country. It also recently partnered with U Mobile to provide high-capacity fibre backhaul, the essential backbone of a resilient and high-performance 5G ecosystem. Internationally, the segment secured substantial long-term capacity requirements from global carriers, strengthened data centre co-location services, and expanded interconnection with international customers. It also progressed the data centre upgrades and submarine capacity investments. The introduction of sovereign GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) also marked a key milestone in supporting Malaysia’s AI ecosystem, reinforcing the nation’s position as a strategic digital hub for the region.
NEWSLETTER
Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!