26 Nov 2019

TM reports operational improvement for 3Q 2019 amidst challenging environment

TM reports operational improvement for 3Q 2019 amidst challenging environment Article Header
TM
UNIFI
TM One
TM GLOBAL

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended 30 September 2019.

  • ​Financial and Operational Highlights as at Year-to-Date (YTD) September 2019 vs YTD September 2018:
    • Group Revenue of RM8.40 billion, 3.8% lower against YTD September 2018 – in line with guidance- mainly due to lower contribution from all lines of products except data and non-telecommunication related services.
    • Group Reported Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) for YTD September 2019 increased to RM1.20 billion, from Loss Before Interest and Tax (LBIT) of RM187.3 million over the corresponding nine (9) months period last year, on the back of lower operating cost, from the Group's various cost optimisation initiatives. 
    • Group Reported Profit After Tax and Non-controlling Interests (PATAMI) showed significant improvement with a 718.9% growth YTD to RM683.8 million, from RM83.5 million in the corresponding period last year. Stripping off non-operational items, Normalised PATAMI stood at RM810.9 million, higher by 53.7% against the same period last year.
    • The total capital expenditure (CAPEX) was within guidance at 8.8% of revenue or RM736.0 million. Out of the amount spent, 16% was made for Core Network, 58% for Access and the balance 26% was made for Support System.
  • unifi updates:
    • Increased YTD convergence penetration to 55% of TM Households compared to 48% in 30 September 2018.
    • Total broadband customers as at 30 September 2019 was more than 2.15 million.
    • #khabarbaik customer experience related initiatives in 3Q2019:
      • Streamlined all Streamyx packages to a new unifi Lite plan at RM69/month for existing Streamyx customers.
      • Introduced unifi Air to elevate the internet experience of existing Streamyx customers residing in TM's LTE coverage areas.
      • Launched an all-in-one app; myunifi for an easy experience in managing unifi account.
  • TM ONE updates:
    • Signed a series of MoUs and cross-industry strategic digital collaborations with Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Rural Development, Global Health, UMW Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (UMW), Open University Malaysia (OUM), Bintang Urusjuta (M) Sdn Bhd and Digital Perak Corporation Holdings (DigitalPerak).
    • TM ONE further demonstrated its capability to enable digital businesses and government with ten (10) smart solutions and end-to-end Hyperconnected Ecosystem.
    • Held its annual flagship event LEAP Summit 2019 themed "Creative Disruption – Get Ready for It!" to share the successes and lessons from global creative disruptors and provide in-depth insights on industry trends towards Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0).
  • TM GLOBAL updates:
    • TM as the National Telecommunication Infrastructure Provider continues to serve as the industry backbone - serving and collaborating with all other licensed operators in Malaysia as the strategic enabler of the Government's National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) towards reaching more underserved areas nationwide and supporting 5G requirements with its ready and upgraded network infrastructure.

 

Dato' Noor Kamarul Anuar Nuruddin, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM, commenting on the results:

"Overall, in 3Q 2019 we saw continued improvements in our fundamentals. I'm pleased to report that our cost management initiatives under our performance improvement plan carried out since last year continues to yield results with profitability improvement. We have managed to keep a closer eye on our operational efficiencies to deliver sustained profitability with lower YTD OPEX/revenue. However, in line with sector contraction, our revenue challenges still persist on the retail front, in line with our expectations and 2019 market guidance.

Our CAPEX for YTD September 2019 is well within guidance, totalling 8.8% of revenue, and on track as we continue our targeted investments to ensure we deliver better service experience for all our customers.

We continue to offer attractive unifi products and promotions to acquire more customers, whilst addressing Streamyx customers and coverage pain points with price adjustments and our wireless offerings. Over the last three months, we have expressed our intention to be the key driver for Malaysia's Digital Nation aspirations. TM is ready to propel the nation into Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) with our proposal to be the nation's infrastructure provider in both the fixed and mobile space. This commitment is reinforced with our participation in the 5G demonstration projects and our preliminary moves toward building infrastructure readiness. In the next few months, we will be showcasing our 5G use cases in SS15, Subang Jaya, Selangor and Langkawi, Kedah in collaboration with local municipal councils and other potential partners. The use cases will cover Big Data Analytics, Smart City, Smart Tourism and Smart Agriculture clusters. The deployment of our tested and proven 5G-enabled smart solutions for the showcase are testament of our commitment in humanising technology towards making life easier, and enriching the quality of life for all Malaysians."

Prospects for the Financial Year Ending 31 December 2019

The Group's performance improvement initiatives and efficient cost management continue to improve our profitability. Our focus remains toward our customers, and to strengthen the Group's performance by investing to improve customer experience across segments to grow our revenue.

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YTM collaborated with PINTAR Foundation to contribute 60 refurbished laptops to underprivileged students under Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Bangsar/Pudu (PPDBP) to facilitate their online learning session. ​In its continuous effort to ease the burden of underprivileged students during this unprecedented period, Yayasan TM (YTM), the foundation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), together with PINTAR Foundation has reached out to the beneficiaries group under the #MYBAIKHATI initiative. Through the collaboration, YTM contributed 60 units of refurbished laptops together with 15GB LTE unifi Mobile #BEBAS packages FREE for one (1) year to Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Bangsar/Pudu (PPDBP), Kuala Lumpur. Eligible students from 16 primary and secondary schools have been identified by PPDBP to receive the contribution. When handing over the contribution, Izlyn Ramli, Director of YTM said: “We understand the critical need of good, workable devices and internet connection for Home-Based Learning and Teaching (PdPR) sessions in the new norm. Under the #MYBAIKHATI initiative, we have refurbished used laptops that we received from the kind and caring public. Coupled with our unifi Mobile #BEBAS data plan, we hope the identified students can have a better PdPR experience. TM through YTM will continue to pave the way for deserving students to have greater access to education as we believe no one should be left behind, especially in this digital age.” Meanwhile commenting on this contribution, Tuan Hj Azuar Hj Hussin, Bangsar/Pudu District Education Officer said: "PPDBP would like to express our deepest appreciation to YTM and PINTAR Foundation. We believe this contribution would be invaluable to the recipients and facilitate their learning process in this very challenging period. We hope more corporates will come forth and provide their support to fulfil the needs of these underprivileged students.” TM is supporting the #MYBAIKHATI initiative, an industry-wide device crowdsourcing initiative aimed to collect and repair used communication devices to be distributed to low-income families (B40). TM has set up six (6) of its TMpoint outlets in the Klang Valley as collection points to facilitate the donation drive. The outlets are TM Experience Centre (TMEC) at Menara TM, Bangsar; TMpoint Cyberjaya, TMpoint Shah Alam, TMpoint Setapak, TMpoint Bukit Raja and TMpoint Taman Desa. To further encourage the public to donate their used smart devices, TM has partnered with realme, a smartphone manufacturer, where realme has allocated 300 realme vouchers worth RM50 each for individuals who contribute their used devices. They can then use the vouchers to purchase any realme devices at realme Official Store on Shopee. "realme Malaysia is pleased to join forces with TM in encouraging Malaysians to donate their used smart devices. We also hope that realme fans with old but usable devices can donate them to support a good cause during this challenging time," said Tiffany Teh, Brand Director of realme Malaysia. For more information on how you can be part of the #MYBAIKHATI initiative supported by TM, visit www.tm.com.my/mybaikhati.

TM delivers double digit revenue, EBIT and PATAMI growth in Q2; on track to achieve its 2022 market guidance

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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. 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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. 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