03 Sep 2020
Telecommunications operators committed to JENDELA to deliver seamless digital connectivity for all Malaysians
Telecommunications operators Celcom Axiata Berhad, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd, Maxis Berhad, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Berhad and TIME dotCom Berhad (collectively 'the Industry'), are fully committed to partner with the Government and make connectivity a basic utility to fast-track Malaysia's transition into a high-income digital society. The Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) action plan announced recently by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Yassin, will be the platform to achieve these aspirations by accelerating the country's digital connectivity through widespread deployment of mobile, fibre and fixed wireless access, and paving the way to 5G, under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021–2025).
The National Digital Infrastructure Lab: A collaborative effort aspiring to deliver connectivity for all
The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered an urgency for Malaysia to address the 'new normal' and cater for future demands of connectivity as an enabler for all facets of life: The economy and people's livelihoods, education, business opportunities and building and connecting communities amongst others. To prepare for the future and to fulfill our Digital Malaysia aspirations, it is clear the Industry must aspire to enable everyone in this journey through quality and reliable connectivity.
To this end, the Industry was a strong participant alongside the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in the National Digital Infrastructure Lab (NDIL), with the aim to collaboratively address how to deliver quality connectivity to all Malaysians. The outcome of the NDIL was a comprehensive digital infrastructure plan that accelerates improvements to coverage and quality of experience nationwide, optimises fixed, mobile and fit-for-purpose technologies; and paves the way for the eventual adoption of 5G technologies to enable the country's digital ambitions.
JENDELA: Strengthening Malaysia's Digital Communications Infrastructure to Deliver Seamless Connectivity for all Malaysians
The Industry will work closely with the Government to fast-track the nation's progress towards becoming a globally competitive, resilient and enriched digital society and economy through JENDELA.
Phase 1 (now to 2022): An accelerated improvement plan for nationwide 4G coverage and 7.5mil fixed broadband premises; with consistent quality of experience for everyone
As announced by the Prime Minister, JENDELA will be implemented in phases. Phase 1, which starts now until 2022, will optimise existing resources and infrastructure for both mobile and fixed connectivity to:
- Expand 4G mobile broadband coverage from 91.8% to 96.9% in populated areas;
- Increase mobile broadband speeds from 25Mbps to 35Mbps; and
- Enable as many as 7.5 million premises to access gigabit speeds with fixed broadband services.
JENDELA will firstly prioritise strengthening the nation's existing fixed and mobile networks and building a strong foundation for the eventual adoption of 5G. This will also involve the gradual retirement of 3G networks at the end of 2021. To achieve the targets in Phase 1, the Industry will look at providing wider coverage and enhanced quality of experience by upgrading and building new 4G sites, and fiberising more premises.
This will be driven by extending 4G mobile coverage in rural and remote areas, improving in-door coverage for urban and suburban areas, connecting more homes with fixed broadband via fibre and other fit-for-purpose technologies (e.g. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and satellite) to ensure widespread nationwide coverage and connectivity for all.
Meanwhile, fibre providers will continue to support the industry with fibre backhaul for capacity to serve higher traffic demands expected on 4G and to ensure the fibre foundation essential for future technologies such as 5G.
Phase 2 (Beyond 2022): Address the Digital Divide via Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and pave the way for 5G
Phase 2 of JENDELA involves utilising FWA and other fit-for-purpose technologies to address further gaps in the digital divide, as well as priming for the nation's eventual adoption of 5G technologies; which will take place once action plans under Phase 1 are achieved.
The Industry will continue to educate the public on the potential of 5G and its capabilities, through use cases applied across verticals such as manufacturing, agriculture, education, healthcare, security transportation, consumer experience, environment and smart city development. These use cases will continue to be explored under the 5G Demonstration Projects (5GDP).
JENDELA: A realistic, progressive digital connectivity plan to realise Digital Malaysia
JENDELA is an accelerated improvement plan where all public and private stakeholders are equally invested to deliver. This is a shared aspiration for the whole country, driven by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) and MCMC in partnership with the telecommunications operators, and other agencies at the federal, state, and local council levels.
The industry believes that collaboration among all parties is crucial to facilitate infrastructure rollout in a coordinated manner, with minimal impact on civil works, the public, the environment, and all aspects of the ecosystem. We look forward to working together to fulfil the objectives of JENDELA and enabling widespread quality connectivity for Malaysians nationwide.
The Industry will provide periodical updates to the public on the progress of JENDELA, including initiatives undertaken as part of journey towards its aspirations.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
TM GLOBAL BAGS A DOUBLE WIN AT THE ASIAN TELECOM AWARDS 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, 5 March 2024 – TM Global, the domestic and international wholesale business arm of TM, clinched top honours in two prestigious 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 marks the second consecutive year TM Global has received these accolades, solidifying its position as a leader in shaping the telecommunications landscape within Malaysia and across Asia. Khairul Liza Ibrahim, Executive Vice President of TM Global, said, "The awards underscore TM Global’s efforts as a catalyst of digital adoption across industries and the nation’s 5G ecosystem. Internationally, we serve as the gateway for businesses seeking to expand into ASEAN and vice versa. TM Global plays a pivotal role in advancing AI implementation and platform-play services and remains committed to driving innovation and bringing connectivity and digitalisation to all corners of the country." She further emphasised TM Global's transition from a traditional telco wholesaler to a digital enabler, "Our strategic shift up the value chain has enabled us to deliver a versatile edge ecosystem, empowering the next wave of technologies and applications. This recognition is a reaffirmation of our work in pioneering digital solutions to transcend borders and driving connectivity across the region." TM Global’s initiatives continue to help narrow the digital divide and nurture digital opportunities through the expansion of high-capacity connectivity infrastructure nationwide and the deployment of two additional International Internet Gateways in East Malaysia. Internationally, TM Global continued to bolster its connectivity strength, facilitate content distribution through TM Edge, and expand its platform services to connect service providers worldwide with the vibrant ASEAN market. The Asian Telecom Awards, hosted by the Asian Telecom magazine, a publication of the global Charlton Media Group, honours businesses and initiatives that are not only driving progress in the telecom industry, but have also ignited transformative shifts that have reshaped the digital landscape. These recognitions are a testament to TM Global’s ability to support regional and international service providers through comprehensive digital infrastructure solutions, providing a seamless gateway for their expansion into the region.
TM and Scicom Form Strategic Partnership to Deliver World-Class, AI-Powered Customer Experience
Kuala Lumpur, 9 September 2025 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Scicom (MSC) Berhad (Scicom) have entered into a strategic partnership to elevate customer experience through artificial intelligence (AI)-driven innovation and operational excellence. The collaboration reflects TM’s commitment to delivering world-class customer engagement and taking its service standards to the next level. The partnership will bring together operational expertise and next-generation AI solutions, including conversational bots, predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, and intelligent routing. This will enable faster responses, higher resolution rates, and more seamless experiences for customers across all channels, including voice, chat, email, and social media. Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM said, “This partnership is a major step in TM’s journey to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030, where delighting customers is a core pillar. By combining our strengths with Scicom’s, we will future-proof customer engagement through AI-driven innovation and a stronger collaborative ecosystem that will support TM’s long-term growth.” “For our B2C segment, Unifi customers will enjoy faster responses, higher resolution rates and a more seamless experience across every touchpoint. For our B2B segment, this partnership, together with the capabilities of our subsidiary VADS Business Process Sdn Bhd (VADS BP), strengthens TM’s ability to deliver AI-powered customer experience solutions for enterprise and government clients across Malaysia, reinforcing our role as a trusted enabler of digital services,” he continued. Dato’ Sri Leo Ariyanayakam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Scicom said, “This collaboration represents a defining moment for both companies. By combining TM’s nationwide scale with Scicom’s AI-driven platforms and BPO expertise, we are setting a new benchmark for customer management in Malaysia. Scicom’s technology stack, developed in-house over the years, underpins our ability to deliver intelligent automation, advanced analytics, and customer experience innovation at scale. We are confident that this partnership will deliver cost optimisation, higher levels of customer satisfaction, and new revenue streams, while advancing Malaysia’s standing in AI innovation for customer experience.”
TM delivers double digit revenue, EBIT and PATAMI growth in Q2; on track to achieve its 2022 market guidance
2Q2022 Key Highlights (vs 2Q2021) Increased demand for Internet and Data translated to an 11.8% growth in Operating Revenue, at RM3.09 billion compared to RM2.76 billion Manpower and other OPEX cost optimisation contributed 81.3% EBIT growth, recorded at RM702.7 million PATAMI up 73.0% at RM378.0 million from RM218.5 million, as a result of higher operating profit and lower net finance cost Invested 15.7% of revenue in CAPEX or RM484.5 million in fibre expansion, network upgrades and support systems Free Cash Flow increased 36.4% at RM730.5 million, mainly attributed to increase in revenue and cost optimisation initiatives Interim Dividend of 9.0 sen per share declared with Dividend Reinvestment Scheme applicable (DRS) On track to achieve its 2022 market guidance, TM continues to strengthen core businesses while investing in new growth areas Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) has sustained its growth trajectory, delivering an excellent set of financial results across all key metrics for the second quarter ended 30 June 2022, offering converged services and solutions and demonstrating its resilience against increasing competition from other telco and technology players. The Group’s operating revenue grew by 11.8% to RM3.09 billion, compared to RM2.76 billion in the same quarter last year (YoY), on a foundation of strong performance across every customer segment and a sharp increase in revenue from all lines of service, particularly Internet and Data. Optimisation efforts enabled TM to record lower manpower and other OPEX costs, which led to higher Earnings Before Interest and Taxation (EBIT), up 81.3% at RM702.7 million compared to RM387.6 million YoY. Profit After Tax and Non-controlling Interest (PATAMI) was up 73.0% at RM378.0 million from RM218.5 million YoY, on the back of accelerated demand for connectivity, services and digital solutions. The Group applied the 33% Cukai Makmur statutory tax rate accordingly for the current quarter. In addition to Group-wide cost optimisation initiatives, the revenue jump helped drive an increase of Free Cash Flow by 36.4% to RM730.5 million YoY, putting TM in a solid position to make future investments and further reduce debt. TM also declared an Interim Dividend of 9.0 sen per share in line with its policy to distribute yearly dividends of 40% - 60% from its PATAMI. The DRS is applicable for this dividend tranche to provide flexibility to shareholders, enabling participation into the Group’s continuous growth momentum. unifi: Maintaining growth momentum As the leading convergence provider in Malaysia, unifi recorded a 10.3% revenue increase from RM1,272.0 million to RM1,402.6 million in the current quarter, driven primarily by continuous growth of fixed broadband subscribers, which recorded a 14.1% increase from the same quarter last year. unifi continues to innovate the home entertainment landscape, rapidly adapting to consumer consumption patterns through more attractive content that can be viewed both at home via high-speed broadband as well as on mobile devices via the playTV@unifi app. Its growing content ranges from Hollywood to Hallyu, offering variety for everyone. unifi's focus also extended to local SME businesses with the month-long #BelanjaDiSME campaign, as well as the SME Digitalisation Grant (SDG), which provides entrepreneurs with up to 50% savings for internet subscriptions and digital solutions. TM Wholesale (TMW): Leading the charge in positioning Malaysia as a digital hub TMW continues its march to be the nation’s preferred network infrastructure provider and to position Malaysia as a digital hub. Revenue for the current quarter increased by 26.4% from RM585.3 million YoY to RM739.9 million, contributed mainly by higher revenue from data and voice services. TMW’s compelling performance is underpinned by escalating domestic data demand and new deals secured on the international front. It recorded the highest installation for High-Speed Broadband (HSBB) Access in June 2022, driven by mobile network operators (MNOs) and content service provider under JENDELA. TMW also delivered more than 4,500 cumulative 4G and 5G backhaul sites in supporting the MyDIGITAL blueprint for enhanced digital inclusivity nationwide. On the international front, TMW has secured new deals with a US-based hyperscaler and a North Asian digital provider. Simultaneously, its collaborative agreement with Globe Telecom will enable its customers to enjoy superior gaming experiences, a strategic move to expand its business beyond its telco offerings. TM One: Stronger performance amidst market challenges The Group’s enterprise and public sector arm, TM One, recorded an increase in revenue of 4.1% YoY to RM854.6 million, with growth from recurring business across the enterprise and government sectors. Global supply chain challenges and delays, however, continued to impact its operations and subsequent delivery of several customer projects. As the sole local provider for the Government’s MyGovCloud initiative, TM through TM One, is the only hyperscale cloud provider to offer data residency, data locality and data sovereignty for the Malaysian Government and its citizens. This eliminates potential risks from international regulations, policy interventions, or risk of Malaysian data housed beyond Malaysia’s borders. Credence: Spearheading TM’s growth into the digital tech space Responding to the fast-growing market demand for the digitalisation of enterprises, Credence was recently launched to drive greater levels of digital capabilities and technology skills for the Group’s corporate customers. Established as a start-up, Credence is TM’s new cloud and digital services company, focusing on becoming a trusted technology partner to accelerate the digital transformation of large enterprises and the public sector. Leveraging TM’s existing technology partners and new ventures, Credence will also accelerate the Group’s transformation in the digital tech space. Commentary and Outlook from Imri Mokhtar, TM Group Chief Executive Officer “At the mid-point of 2022, our financial performance and results demonstrate TM’s ability to manage our businesses effectively despite the headwinds arising from a challenging and competitive business environment. These results are also a powerful testament of our transformation journey, and our commitment to deliver a sustainable and inclusive Digital Malaysia. “unifi will continue its trajectory to provide converged solutions to both residential and SME customers. unifi Business, specifically, will double down on its efforts to provide new propositions to engage SME customers including promotional campaigns and financing options. “TM One remains focused in enabling the digital transformation of the enterprise and public sectors. Complemented by its global partner ecosystem, TM One continues to make inroads on bespoke solutions engineered and supported by its in-house ICT capabilities. “TM Wholesale is on course to provide a comprehensive suite of advanced wholesale communication services and solutions for both domestic and global fronts. TMW is poised to position Malaysia as a digital hub for the ASEAN region. “As part of TM’s commitment to empower businesses on their digital transformational journey, the Group will also address the digital and tech skills gap through Credence. This new digital services subsidiary will deliver a differentiated advantage for enterprise digital solutions, providing greater and faster time-to-value with customised options for enterprises. “Looking ahead, 5G will level the playing field and move the industry away from network-based to service-based competition. TM welcomes the Government’s call for the industry to take up equity stakes in DNB. 5G will open up and expand the opportunities and growth areas for all of TM’s business segments – consumers, SMEs, enterprises, wholesale as well as digital services. We look forward to rolling out 5G-enabled products and solutions and unlocking value to meet customers’ demands. “As Malaysia’s convergence champion, we believe 5G will strengthen our convergence proposition, and our customers will be encouraged to transition to 5G in the near term. “Ultimately, TM’s growth and differentiation, whether in 5G, fixed broadband or digitalisation, will hinge on creating and offering exceptional customer experience, as we continue on our evolution towards becoming a human-centred technology company.”
NEWSLETTER
Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!