30 May 2024
TM Announces a Positive Start in 1Q 2024, Sustaining its Continuous Growth Trajectory
Q 2024 Key Highlights (vs 1Q 2023)
- Operating revenue grew 1.8% to RM2.84 billion
- EBIT increased 37.5% from RM473.3 million to RM650.9 million
- PATAMI increased 28.7% from RM330.1 million to RM424.8 million
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 May 2024 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”), today announced a positive start to the fiscal year, with a strong financial performance for the first quarter ended 31 March 2024 (1Q 2024).
The Group saw its revenue increase by 1.8% to RM2.84 billion, driven by solid performance from TM Global and growth in Unifi’s subscriber base. Correspondingly, Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) grew 37.5% to RM650.9 million in the quarter under review on the back of lower total Operational Cost.
TM’s Profit after Tax and Non-Controlling Interests (PATAMI) increased by 28.7% to RM424.8 million, demonstrating its sustained profitability.
Meanwhile, the Group’s Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) stood at RM204.0 million, or 7.2% of its revenue. These investments were aimed at expanding the Group’s network infrastructure nationwide and regional submarine cable systems.
Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “Entering 2024, the operating environment remains challenging due to increased competition and evolving market dynamics. Nevertheless, the Group has shown a positive growth trajectory in the first quarter of 2024. This is evidenced by increased revenue, improved profitability, and steady growth in our fixed broadband subscribers, reaffirming our strong position in the market.
“To sustain our positive momentum, we will continue enhancing our retail convergence offerings and value-added solutions in delivering improved customer experience. At the same time, we maintain a strong focus on modernising our data and network infrastructure, as well as enhancing our business-related offerings to meet current and future digital needs.
“Moving forward, as part of our transformative journey towards becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030, our priorities over the next few years include growing our core businesses, enhancing beyond connectivity by embedding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and capturing new business growth to meet future demands. In addition, we will continue to optimise costs and enhance profitability to ensure better returns for our shareholders,” Amar concluded.
The Group maintains a positive outlook for the current year, staying aligned with the previously provided 2024 guidance.
Lines of Businesses (LOBs) Performance
Unifi maintains leadership in converged services
Unifi maintained consistent year-on-year (YoY) growth with a 1.8% increase in fixed broadband subscribers, reaching a total of 3.135 million. This is driven by convergence marketing strategies, aggressive sales and customer retention programmes. It recently launched UniVerse, the best convergence plan to date for broadband, mobile, entertainment, and digital lifestyle solutions, designed to enhance connectivity, content and Home Hub needs of today’s customers. For more information about Unifi UniVerse, visit www.unifi.com.my.
During the quarter, Unifi Business, the leading digital solutions partner of over 400,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide, partnered with Maybank Islamic Berhad to launch ‘Go Niaga’, a mobile banking bundle to help businesses manage finances and improve income with digital payment options. It also launched e-Pharmacy Solution, a mobile app enabling e-prescriptions via teleconsultation to provide digital inclusion and accessible healthcare for prescribed medications and wellness especially to the underserved communities.
Looking ahead, Unifi will continue to solidify its role as a leader in convergence to deliver unmatched converged digital services.
TM One drives innovative solutions for enterprise and Government
TM One, the enterprise and government sector business solutions arm of TM continues to adapt to market dynamics while seeking new opportunities for growth. During the quarter under review, it recorded a revenue of RM673.0 million.
In February, TM One launched the Innovation Lab and Enterprise 5G Lab to accelerate the realisation of emerging digital services and solutions. These labs bring together the latest technologies, digital leaders, inspiring ideas and collaborative spaces to create tailored solutions for its customers and partners. These facilities were set to further develop key areas like Enterprise 5G and innovative AI-powered industry solutions to help organisations thrive in the digital era.
Moving forward, TM One will continue to strengthen its core connectivity offerings while driving innovation in digital services, expanding partnerships, and developing solutions that empower its customers.
TM Global positions Malaysia as a digital hub for the region
TM Global saw a 12.1% YoY increase in revenue to RM742.8 million in 1Q 2024, fuelled by demand for domestic and international data. It has remained as Malaysia’s preferred network infrastructure provider, catalysing the digital industry, fostering 5G ecosystem and expanding High-speed broadband (HSBB) Access in the country. Globally, it provisioned significant managed wavelength capacity for hyperscalers, connecting key regional data centres. It also recorded substantial growth in Content Delivery Network (CDN) traffic to cater to the demand from digital players, enabling Malaysia as a digital hub for the region.
TM Global recently received recognition in two categories: Telecom Company of the Year – Malaysia, and the Wholesale Company Initiative of the Year – Malaysia, at the Asian Telecom Awards held in Singapore. This is the second consecutive year TM Global has received these accolades, maintaining its leadership as a shaper of the telecommunications landscape in Malaysia and across ASEAN.
TM Global will continue to broaden its digital infrastructure solutions while forging strategic alliances with global carriers to facilitate seamless digital connectivity and services across borders.
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The Company received special recognition for its efforts and proactive measures in handling, mitigating and curbing the spread of COVID-19. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) was recently awarded the Special Kincentric COVID Resilience Award Malaysia at the Kincentric Best Employers Malaysia 2020 Learning Conference and Award Ceremony which was held virtually. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, people and organisations face unprecedented new challenges. The special awards recognise companies that have been actively managing the employee experience in the rapidly unfolding COVID-19 crisis; especially for those in critical functions ensuring business continuity and recovery. The judging criteria is based on key themes of Senior Leadership/communication, virtual work effectiveness, concern and engagement on employee wellness; supported by people practices. Badrul Hisham Ahmad, Vice President, Support Business TM who is also the Chairman of TM's COVID-19 Crisis Response Team (CRT) virtually received the award on behalf of TM. He was also one of the panelists in the sharing session among the winners of the COVID Resilience Award. Commenting on the achievement, Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM said, "We are humbled and honoured to receive this meaningful award on behalf of all our Warga TM. In these challenging times, their dedication and commitment to serve our customers and the nation with essential connectivity have been exemplary. We would like to especially thank our COVID-19 Crisis Response Team and volunteers such as PAKAR Semboyan, TM Rovers, the 'buddies' and others behind the scenes; who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure all are taken care of." "TM will continue to take proactive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 for the safety of our employees, customers and stakeholders. We remain committed to help Malaysia rebuild its economy via connectivity and digital solutions. Together may we return stronger," he added. Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart Company through its Kincentric Best Employers programme gives high-performing organisations credit and visibility for the quality of their employer brand – and an edge in the talent marketplace. With 20 years of robust data on employee experience behind it, the programme measures and differentiates employers on the four (4) people-factors that are key to success, namely high employee engagement, agility, engaging leadership and talent focus. This year, Kincentric has introduced a special COVID Resilience Award to recognise organisations that have risen above and holistically supported their employees in managing the significant emotional, social and economic impact brought on by the pandemic. This award demonstrates how a great employee experience defines the ability for a business to survive and thrive, especially in critical moments.
TM ONE PARTNERS MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TO ELEVATE DIGITAL SKILLS THROUGH TVET PROGRAMS
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 October 2024 – TM One, TM’s enterprise and Government sector business solutions arm, has announced a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to enhance Malaysia’s digital competencies, equipping students and educators from vocational colleges and secondary schools with essential digital skills that align with industry standards. The partnership, which was recently formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MOE’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Division, targets critical areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, cybersecurity, and smart agriculture solutions. These initiatives will benefit both students and educators, ensuring Malaysia’s future workforce is ready to meet the demands of the digital economy. Shazurawati Abd Karim, Executive Vice President of TM One said, “We are pleased to collaborate with MOE to deliver industry expertise and digital infrastructures to uplift Malaysia’s TVET ecosystem. TM One will facilitate education and practical training on advanced technologies to the students and educators, preparing them for emerging digital trends and career opportunities. This aligns with the country’s transformation agenda and TM’s Digital Powerhouse aspiration to revitalise Malaysia’s talent and innovation ecosystem for a digitally enabled and globally competitive workforce.” This collaborative effort includes industry placements for educators to develop their digital expertise as well as co-creation of learning modules, syllabi, and curricula revolving technology and telecommunications education, creating a sustainable skills development framework for the future. Leveraging TM’s extensive nationwide connectivity, TM One will also enhance MOE’s digital infrastructure at TVET institutions, fostering a modern learning environment through network enhancements and relevant digital solutions. This collaboration is expected to produce a highly skilled and digitally proficient workforce, positioning Malaysia as a leader across various sectors. Through this initiative, TM One and MOE are ensuring TVET students and educators are well-prepared with the right skills and certifications, providing greater digital access to students from all backgrounds and shaping a dynamic and digitally empowered Malaysia.
TM wins again at Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2021 for its innovation, patrol
This is the fourth award received by TM at Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards in three years running Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) through its innovation arm, TM Research & Development (TM R&D) wins the AI – Telecommunications Award at the recent Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2021, presented by Singapore Business Review. The award was conferred in recognition of the Company's achievement in developing PATROL as a proof of function for research particularly on automatic detection of construction using vehicle dashcam and generate proactive alerts using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms. This is the fourth award received by TM R&D from the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards in its three years of running. The awards ceremony lauds exceptional companies that have successfully pioneered IT products, solutions and innovative technology projects in their respective industries to boost Malaysia's fast-growing economy. Commenting on the accomplishment, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, "This is indeed a proud moment for us. Winning the award is a huge boost for our effort in showcasing how AI can be applied to solve real-life problems. It is also a huge encouragement for us to further strengthen our position as the leader in the research, development and innovation field. This award goes out to the team for delivering such outstanding work. We hope it will give them the drive to explore more innovations for TM to serve a more digital society, digital business, digital industry and digital Government, towards accelerating Digital Malaysia." Project PATROL was developed to provide early warning alerts on areas where TM infrastructure has a high risk of being destroyed due to civil and construction works by a third party. Ideally, before the civil or construction works were to begin, TM and other utility companies are to be consulted to ensure proper precautionary measures are taken to avoid telecommunication cable or other utility infrastructure cuts such as water or sewerage. The cable cuts will lead to loss of broadband and other telecommunication services which will cause major inconveniences to consumer lifestyle and businesses, as well as operation nightmare for any telcos. To fill in those gaps, PATROL was developed powered by digital and AI capabilities. PATROL leverages AI, object detection capabilities and the Internet of Things (IoT) to detect a construction area using a dashcam. The system then automatically checks if the unregistered civil and construction activity is in close proximity to underground or overhead cable infrastructure. Several parameters are used to assess risk before an alert is sent to the Network Operations Centre for investigation. "PATROL provides real-time alerts on civil and construction activities that pose a high risk to the security and safety of TM's cable infrastructure. This information allows telco providers to act fast in preventing possible threats to their assets. With PATROL, we foresee a huge opportunity for operational cost avoidance due to cable cut cases," she further added. Established in 2001, TM R&D is the innovation arm for 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 (4) pillars namely Intelligent Platforms, Data Brokerage, Connectivity/Tools and IR4.0/Digital Solutions. Growing from strength to strength since 2016, 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 all developed in-house and cut across multiple verticals such as Utilities, Retail, Agriculture, Healthcare and Education with safety and productivity as the top priority. As TM R&D continues to expand beyond connectivity and into smarter digital ecosystems, its role in TM has become more prominent and exciting. For more information about TM R&D and its innovations, visit www.tmrnd.com.my or email your inquiry to business@tmrnd.com.my or follow them on LinkedIn (TM Research & Development) for more news and updates.
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