Encouraging QoQ revenue growth across all product lines
3Q2020 QoQ Key Financial and Operational Highlights (All comparisons refer to the second quarter of 2020 (Quarter-on-Quarter (QoQ) comparison), except as noted):
- Group Revenue grew 3.8% to RM2.69 billion from RM2.59 billion recorded in 2Q2020.
- Group Reported Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) increased by 7.0% QoQ to RM456.2 million, from RM426.3 million in 2Q2020.
- Group Reported Profit After Tax and Non-controlling Interests (PATAMI) rose 19.9% QoQ to RM329.5 million compared to RM274.7 million.
- The total capital expenditure (capex) for 3Q2020 stood at 14.9% of revenue or RM400.0 million.
- unifi: Continues convergence leadership with growth in broadband and mobile; highest convergence penetration of TM households at 58%.
- TM ONE: Strengthened position as the digital enabler for enterprise and public sector customers with connectivity and end-to-end cloud offerings.
- TM Wholesale: Continues to connect industry players, carriers, over-the-top (OTT) providers and content players in Malaysia and globally.
- Addressing the digital divide: Remain committed to increasing connectivity reach via Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) and accelerating the digital economy with recently announced Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) collaboration.
Strong Business Performance for 3Q2020
Despite these unprecedented times, TM Group Revenue continues to increase QoQ recording a resilient 3.8% growth to RM2.69 billion from RM2.59 billion recorded in 2Q2020 on the back of higher revenue from voice, internet and data services.
Group EBIT for 3Q2020 increased by 7.0% QoQ to RM456.2 million, from RM426.3 million in 2Q2020, on the back of lower operating cost, from the Group's continued momentum from its cost optimisation programmes. This subsequently led to a 19.9% increase in Group PATAMI from RM274.7 million in the preceding quarter to RM329.5 million.
In 3Q2020, the company invested 14.9% of revenue in capex amounting to RM400.0 million - in line with guidance - as it continued to optimise its network and sweat its assets. Of the amount invested, 50% was for network access, 17% for core network, and the balance 33% for support system.
Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM, commenting on the results:
"We are pleased to report another quarter of growth across all key financial metrics – revenue and profits – despite the challenging environment in Q3. Our efforts in cost optimisation continue to yield results with a healthy EBIT and a strong PATAMI. As we enter the ninth month of the Covid-19 pandemic, our priority continues to be the safety and health of our 'Warga TM' while continuously delivering connectivity and solutions excellence to our broad customer base."
"We are seeing unifi gaining momentum, posting a 6.3% growth to 1.65 million subscribers, with our total broadband customer base now at 2.26 million. We achieved the highest convergence penetration (of three services or more) in TM households since 2018, of 58%, as more Malaysians embrace digital living-working in this new norm. On the wholesale front, we continue to collaborate with industry players in Malaysia and globally. At TM ONE, we further cemented our leadership position as the digital enabler for enterprise and public sector customers with enterprise-grade connectivity and end-to-end cloud offerings. We look forward to more collaborations with strategic partners and customers towards establishing a solid foundation for a more Digital Malaysia," Imri concluded.
Operational Review: Maintaining Business Momentum
TM delivered another quarter of robust performance, driven by its agility to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Group businesses and operations; leveraging on new avenues for growth in the 'new normal' whilst adapting to challenges.
- unifi: Continues convergence leadership with growth in broadband and mobile
- Achieved the highest convergence penetration at 58% of TM households.
- unifi customer base grew 6.3% to 1.65 million; total broadband customer base grew 2% to 2.26 million during the quarter.
- Helped empower Small and Media Enterprises (SMEs) with relevant tools and knowledge to grow their businesses and embrace digitalisation with the launch of cari@unifi and eBiz Pack, unifi Business Club (uBC) collaboration with Lalamove and live webinars such as Reboot and Sembang Bisnes.
- Partnered with Funding Society Malaysia to provide business financing solutions for Micro SMEs (MSMEs) utilising Yellow Pages' digital platform.
- unifi Mobile extended access to the daily free 1GB Productivity Internet offer to 24 hours, until 31 December 2020, to support Malaysian's connectivity needs in Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
- TM ONE: Strengthened our position as digital enabler for enterprise and public sector customers with connectivity and end-to-end cloud offerings
- Scaled up the full capabilities of Cloud α (Cloud Alpha) suite of services with full data residency, locality and sovereignty.
- Appointed as the technology partner of the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) to develop and maintain the Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020 (e-Census) platform.
- Continue to support state governments and local city councils to establish future-ready smart cities and smart homes via its TM ONE Smart City Solution enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) and various smart solutions.
- TM Wholesale: Continues to connect industry players, carriers, over-the-top (OTT) providers and content players in Malaysia and globally
- Domestic
- Secured a new contract with a domestic mobile player for cross ocean connectivity, backhaul connectivity solutions and broadband access capacity upgrade.
- New backhaul connectivity deal with a domestic mobile player for new backhaul services.
- International
- Expansion of content delivery services with an Asian-based OTT player.
- Secured a deal with an Asian-based OTT player for connectivity solution within Asia Pacific, and two (2) new long term data connectivity deals with global carriers.
- Additional voice business deals with global service providers worldwide.
- Domestic
- TM Network remained stable throughout CMCO as a result of continuous network optimisation. This is despite traffic utilisation surging between 30% to 50% depending on peak hours, from March 2020 to November 2020 due to more Malaysians working from home.
- Supporting the nation's digital agenda and addressing the digital divide: Remain committed to increasing connectivity reach via JENDELA and accelerating the digital economy with the recently announced MDEC collaboration.
Prospects for the Current Financial Year Ending 31 December 2020
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, Bank Negara Malaysia has revised Malaysia's annual gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to contract between 3.5% to 5.5%[1], against 4.3% growth in 2019. Uncertainty from the most recent wave of the pandemic from October onwards is expected to bring about further revision to these numbers.
As the nation faces this adversity, relying even more on the internet and digital connectivity for work and studies, TM continues to serve as an essential service provider, ensuring stable network performance for the entire nation via both our retail and wholesale fronts. The Government's introduction of JENDELA in September 2020 as well as the RM7.4 billion allocations in the recent National Budget to deliver upgraded broadband services for year 2021 and 2022 will serve as a platform to accelerate Malaysia's digital connectivity through wider deployment of mobile, fibre and fixed wireless access. This will pave the way for 5G under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021–2025).
TM is at the forefront in collaborating with other service providers, enabling and delivering JENDELA. We continue to seek opportunities to cater for future demands of connectivity, in line with our proven commitment to maintain business profitability whilst adapting to and exploring new norms and avenues from this dynamic circumstances that the nation faces today.
[1] Sourced from Bank Negara Malaysia, 14 August 2020
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TM’S NEW FIBRE OPTIC NETWORK HUB (POINT OF PRESENCE) BRINGS FASTER, MORE RELIABLE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY TO RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) has today announced the completion of its new fibre optic network hub or point of presence (PoP) project phase one (1) installations, across northern region, Sabah and Sarawak. The launch ceremony, which was officiated by YB Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital, took place at SMK Padang Terap, Kuala Nerang, Kedah. Also present were Dato’ Haji Pkharuddin Bin Haji Ghazali, Director-General of Education and Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad Bin Mentek, Secretary-General, Ministry of Communications and Digital. PoP is a place where different devices connect to each other and to the internet. In simple terms, PoP brings fibre closer to users. By setting up PoP locations near schools, people in rural and remote areas can get better and faster internet services in their homes, instead of relying on mobile internet. This will improve internet access and connectivity for more people in the community. During the ceremony, YB Fahmi highlighted the significant benefits and opportunities that the new PoPs would bring. The new PoPs represent a major step forward in the Government's efforts to narrow the digital gap and promote digital inclusion across Malaysia. A total of 4,370 PoPs had been planned under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) where 4,323 PoPs will be installed near rural schools and 47 PoPs near industrial area. Phase one (1) of the project, involves 677 sites and the remaining will be implemented under phase two (2) over the span of three (3) years, 2022-2025. A total of 233 PoP circuits were installed under phase 1, with 100% completion achieved by TM, ahead of other industry players. “We are thrilled to see the progress and achievements of this project, which will bring significant benefits and opportunities to the community, including improved internet quality, economic development and the development of new infrastructures,” said Shazurawati Abdul Karim, Executive Vice President of TM One. PoP will create a more balanced and inclusive regional development, boosting the growth of new technologies like 5G and future generations of communication technologies. Through this initiative, users in TM's PoP area have now reached over 9,000 and are increasing. A total of 58 of its users are schools that have subscribed to Unifi services. The widespread internet accessibility will not only help to develop the rural economy but more importantly allow learning materials to be downloaded, to improve the quality of education in schools, equipping the future generations with a wealth of knowledge. “As the nation's telecommunications leader, and enabler of Digital Malaysia, TM is committed to support the nation's development agenda through the benefits brought by hyperconnectivity and digital solutions, which will accelerate digital adoption and new economic growth,” added Shazurawati. “The presence of PoP can attract technology companies, start-ups and other businesses that require a high-speed internet connection to operate. This can create more job opportunities, increase innovation, and stimulate economic growth in local communities,” concluded Shazurawati. The collaboration between TM and the Government demonstrates the shared commitment to deliver digital inclusivity throughout Malaysia. For phase two (2) of PoP project, TM has been awarded with 174 sites in the central region. This phase is expected to further boost digital connectivity and economic development for Malaysia.

TM wins two (2) platinum awards at NACRA 2020
Bagged Platinum Excellence Award for Companies with RM2 billion to RM10 billion in Market Capitalisation and Platinum Award for Best Annual Report in Bahasa Malaysia. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) continues its winning streak at the National Annual Corporate Report Awards (NACRA) 2020 when the Company walked away with two (2) Platinum awards at the awards presentation ceremony, held virtually in Kuala Lumpur, recently. TM bagged the Platinum Excellence Award for Companies with RM2 billion to RM10 billion in Market Capitalisation and this is the fifth (5th) time the Company clinched the most coveted award, after its win in 2014, 2013, 2011 and 2006, thus portraying its long history of exemplary corporate reporting. The other Platinum award that TM won at NACRA 2020 was the Special Awards – Best Annual Report in Bahasa Malaysia. Commenting on the win, Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM, said: “We are both humbled and thrilled to be recognised once again at NACRA 2020. As a public listed company, we are committed to good shareholders’ communication to keep all our stakeholders well informed about the company. This underpins the foundation of corporate reporting; building trust, reputation and value whilst complying to Bursa Malaysia’s listing requirements. These awards are testament to our resolve to uphold a high level of corporate governance, transparency and disclosure of information as we work towards delivering higher value for our all stakeholders.” “On behalf of TM’s management team, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every Warga TM for their hard work and tireless efforts towards producing the Annual Report year after year; and especially for the 2019 edition. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic proved not a hindrance to the team in delivering their best. This year also saw us conducting TM’s very first virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM). I am personally proud with these achievements and hope that this will give a boost for all of us to deliver even better in the future,” he added. The 2020 National Annual Corporate Report Awards (NACRA) was jointly organised by Bursa Malaysia Berhad (Bursa Malaysia), Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA). In its 30th year, NACRA 2020 continues to be a force for spurring continuing excellence and improvement in corporate reporting in Malaysia, in line with its evergreen theme, “Towards Accountability & Excellence”. Every year, NACRA guidelines are reviewed and enhanced to ensure that the standards and quality of the production of annual reports are in line with current requirements and the latest global developments. NACRA 2020 introduces a brand-new awards structure and assessment criteria that augments recognition to many more leading organisations and is aligned with global and integrated reporting framework (IRF) and best practices. It has become the benchmark, in which stakeholders associate with fair, transparent and informative corporate reporting. Earlier in 2020, NACRA introduced a new framework which integrates elements of sustainability and integrated reporting in line with evolving expectations.

Empowering Malaysia’s Youth: Yayasan Telekom Malaysia Expands TM Future Skills Programme
BATU PAHAT, 12 September 2023 – TM, through its corporate responsibility arm, Yayasan TM (YTM), collaborates with two more secondary schools in Peninsula Malaysia to expand its TM Future Skills (TMFS) programme. The programme aims at enhancing digital skills among students from B40 or low-income families by integrating digital technologies into their learning experiences. The newly included schools – SMK Dengkil in Selangor and SMK Tunku Putra in Johor join the programme after the successful launch of the first TMFS school, SMK Gunung Semanggol in Perak last November. These schools were selected because they have the highest percentage of B40 students in their districts and are actively engaged in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities. “At TM, we hold a firm belief in the pivotal role of Malaysian youth in propelling the nation’s growth and societal advancement. As an organisation that has been instrumental in the establishment of Digital Malaysia, we remain unwavering in our commitment to nurturing the next generation as drivers of our digital economy and the ongoing Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). The TMFS programme fulfils this commitment by equipping students with digital skills, while emphasising on leadership, design thinking, and cognitive abilities,” said Ainol Shaharina Sahar, Director of YTM during the TMFS launching ceremony at SMK Tunku Putra recently. “In addition, we are optimistic that the partner schools will evolve into educational hubs, effectively disseminating the knowledge and skills acquired to neighbouring schools and students. We hope that through this approach, it will ignite the students’ interest in pursuing tertiary education in technology and digital fields, thus empowering them with skills vital for Malaysia’s future workforce,” added Ainol. To enhance the immersive learning experience, YTM is establishing TMFS Digital Hubs at these partner schools. These hubs are equipped with resources such as PocketLab, robotics kits, 3D printers, smart TVs, desktop computers, and digital learning content. This hands-on setup aims to spark students’ interest in digital exploration. Highlighting the comprehensive approach of the TMFS programme, Ainol expressed, “We are delighted to witness the holistic growth within all TMFS Schools, which encompasses the development of diverse skills ranging from urban farming and vocational training to entrepreneurship. As we continue our journey to identify more potential schools nationwide, we envision unearthing more remarkable talents that will contribute to the nation’s growth while aligning Malaysia with the forefront of digital innovation.” The event was also graced by Azman Mashuri, Deputy Director of School Planning & Management Sector 2, Ministry of Education Malaysia, who expressed enthusiasm for such collaborations between the private sector and educational institutions. Azman emphasised the importance of providing exposure to digital technologies in rural schools and predicted that initiatives like TMFS will stimulate students to explore their capabilities beyond conventional academics, subsequently driving an increased interest in STEM-related fields. YTM has remained steadfast in its commitment to promoting STEM-oriented programmes since 2014, encompassing disciplines such as robotics, 3D modelling, coding, and big data analytics. In 2020, these modules coalesced into the comprehensive TMFS programme, meticulously designed to align with the Ministry of Education’s syllabus and the IR4.0. To date, YTM’s STEM-related endeavours, including the TMFS programme, have benefited over 15,000 students and educators across more than 500 schools throughout the nation. This remarkable endeavour is not just nurturing individual futures, but also cementing Malaysia’s position as a digital frontrunner on the global stage.