ISKANDAR PUTERI, 25 JULY 2024 – TM and Nxera, the regional data centre arm of Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit, held a groundbreaking ceremony for their data centre campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The groundbreaking comes one month after the announcement for a joint venture to develop data centres in Malaysia and uplift Johor’s digital hub status.

This 64MW state-of-the-art, sustainable, hyper-connected, AI-ready data centre campus reinforces Malaysia’s high quality digital infrastructure. It also supports the government's efforts to drive the digital economy and transform the country into a hub for industrial growth, AI development and innovation.

Malaysia's Digital Minister YB Gobind Singh Deo; YB Lee Ting Han, Chairman, Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee; and Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling graced the groundbreaking event as the Guests-of-Honour.

Minister YB Gobind said, "This investment by TM and Nxera reinforces Malaysia's position as the digital hub in Southeast Asia, further advancing the nation's economic growth. Based on advance estimates, Malaysia's economy expanded 5.8% in the second quarter of 2024, and such investments are in line with projections that Malaysia's digital economy will contribute 25.5% to the nation's GDP by the end of the year. The relationship between TM and Nxera expands to Malaysia and Singapore, with both nations being a good case study of a productive working partnership between two ASEAN member states."

YAB Dato Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Menteri Besar, Johor said, “TM-Nxera’s upcoming data centre campus, located right here in Iskandar Puteri, holds particular significance as one of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone’s first investment projects. We welcome the comprehensive scope of their investment with respect to high quality infrastructure, sustainability as well as employment and skilling opportunities which supports our emphasis on talent development, green technology and renewable energy. This data centre campus will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and enable businesses to harness the power of cloud computing and AI. We hope this will set the stage to shape a vibrant business ecosystem where more high-tech and high-value content companies will be attracted to locate their operations within the special economic zone and give a further boost to Johor’s digital economy.”

Senior Minister of State Low said, “Data centres are important enablers of our digital economy, powering our economy’s data-driven needs. As technology advances, robust, next-generation digital infrastructure like the TM-Nxera Data Centre will be essential to support AI advancements and foster value creation. Today’s groundbreaking marks a milestone in the deepening economic relations between Singapore and Malaysia, and I look forward to the outcomes we can achieve through close collaboration.”

Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group CEO, said, “Today marks a pivotal milestone in our journey to becoming a digital powerhouse as we break ground on this cutting-edge AI-ready data centre. This facility exemplifies our commitment to fostering industry growth, driving innovation, and enhancing socio-economic development. With support from the Federal Government, and Johor state agencies and authorities, we are confident that this AI-ready data centre will equip businesses with unparalleled computing power, AI capabilities, and other cutting-edge technologies. We are excited to lead the way into a future where AI and data analytics drive transformative solutions, revolutionising industries and enriching both our nation and the world.”

Bill Chang, CEO of Nxera and Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit, said, “As one of the largest investments in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, this state-of-the-art data centre campus is an integral part of our mission to empower digital economies and communities in the region while ensuring energy and water resources are deployed responsibly and efficiently.  It expands our regional data centre platform’s strategic presence in this fast-growing Asia region. With Malaysia embracing AI to drive competitiveness and innovation, our campus will spur economic growth by helping companies leverage AIs and cloud computing to drive efficiencies and accelerate their business transformation. Our investment isn’t just about the campus, it is about bringing benefits to the local economy through digitalisation, developing local talent, creating employment opportunities and enhancing international connectivity. We would like to express our gratitude to the Johor State Executive Council, Invest Johor, Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation and Malaysian Investment Development Authority for their support.”

Scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2026, this cloud-enabled Tier 3 data centre campus will use liquid cooling to handle higher power density AI workloads. The facility will be designed, built and certified to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, incorporating energy and water-efficient solutions to optimise the use of resources. This underscores the joint venture's commitment to long-term sustainability goals. To support the new data centre campus, the joint venture plans to expand submarine cable connectivity, enabling a thriving and vibrant digital ecosystem. 

Located just 16 km from Singapore, the data centre campus will allow customers to seamlessly expand their infrastructure from the city state and the rest of the region. Further, the data centre can be scaled up to 200MW in response to market demand.

In addition, apart from creation of new employment opportunities that is important for nation building, the joint venture will invest in building talent for the data centre industry by fostering collaborations between universities in Singapore and Malaysia. It aims to design comprehensive courses with specialised curriculum to provide students with well-rounded knowledge and the requisite skills to propel Malaysia’s growth aspirations. For communities and the region, this means superior country-to-country connectivity and a smarter, more resilient digital economy.

As announced in Bursa, this joint venture is conditional upon receiving approval from TM shareholders in the upcoming EGM.

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 July 2024 - In view of the recent global tech outage linked to a flawed endpoint protection software update issued by a cybersecurity firm, CrowdStrike, which has affected many organisations worldwide, TM wishes to assure our customers and stakeholders that there is no disruption to our business operations and services.

TM has proactively detected this issue and managed it swiftly. We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate updates as necessary.

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 JULY 2024 – Unifi TV, Malaysia’s largest platform for premier channels and streaming apps, has been named an official broadcaster for the highly anticipated Olympic Games Paris 2024. Making the Games accessible to all Malaysians wherever they are, Unifi TV will offer viewing access starting 24 July to 12 August 2024 through its Unifi TV app.

With 17 HD channels dedicated to cover all 32 sports and 329 events, everyone including non-Unifi customers can download and register for the complimentary service via the Unifi TV app from various app stores across all smart devices. Existing and new subscribers will enjoy live broadcasts, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes access to their favourite games and athletes with no new or additional charges.

Further demonstrating support for the Malaysian contingent, Unifi TV has also launched the hashtag #SemangatTakTerbatas which will be extended across Unifi’s official social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube.

Anand Vijayan, TM’s Chief Business and Consumer Officer, said, "We are thrilled to be an official broadcaster of Olympic Games Paris 2024, bringing this extraordinary event to all Malaysians. This year we are offering 17 dedicated HD channels, delivering limitless access for all viewers at home and on the go. By providing more inclusive access, we also aim to foster a sense of national pride and support for our Malaysian athletes and create unforgettable moments that unite us all. This is among our efforts to make technology and content accessible to more Malaysians and build connected communities, aligning with TM’s Digital Powerhouse 2030 aspiration to enable a Digital Malaysia."

For more information about Unifi TV's coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, visit unifi.com.my/paris2024.

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 JULY 2024 – TM and the Government of Malaysia today signed an agreement to develop and operate the nation’s new emergency response system, the Next Generation Emergency Services 999 (NG999). This will serve as a replacement for the existing MERS999.  

Witnessed by Deputy Minister of Communications, YB Teo Nie Ching, the agreement was signed by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communications, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and TM One's Executive Vice President, Shazurawati Abd Karim. Also in attendance was TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer (“Group CEO”) Amar Huzaimi Md Deris.

NG999 is an integrated strategic digital system that will enhance the sharing of resources and data between emergency responders and relevant central agencies. The new system will integrate web-based digital maps, caller IDs, geolocation services and mobile smart apps into emergency incident handling, helping to improve emergency response time nationwide.

Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group CEO said, “TM is honoured to be given opportunity to continue as the trusted partner by the Malaysian Government, advocating the success of Malaysia’s emergency services. NG999 is an initiative to upgrade the existing MERS999, delivering more efficient and swifter emergency responses in the future.

“TM’s comprehensive role will cover network and platform infrastructure, call management, and other support services, allowing us to provide continuous efficacy to the public and emergency responders. This opportunity to revitalise our emergency services is another milestone in TM’s commitment towards Digital Malaysia by leveraging the advancement of AI, reflecting our aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.”  

Malaysia’s emergency responses have transformed significantly driven by the growing use of mobile and smart devices. The implementation of Malaysia’s world class NG999 system follows the latest international best practices such as the European Emergency Number Association’s NG112 and the National Emergency Number Association’s NG911 in North America.

NG999 will also leverage advanced technologies including data analytics and AI to deliver swifter and more effective emergency responses. This ensures that in critical moments, emergency responders can make every second count. Tapping into the experiences of various Government and law enforcement agencies, emergency dispatchers and TM, the enhancement to the nation’s emergency call services is not just a technology upgrade but a reaffirmation of TM’s commitment to serve the nation.

Aligning with the country’s increasing mobile usage, TM will introduce a new mobile app for NG999 that enables updates through text, photos and videos for registered users. This will enhance communications between callers and emergency responders, helping the latter in their tactical deployment.

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 June 2024 – TM Global, the wholesale business arm of TM, Malaysia’s telecommunications leader, bagged the Best Operator in the Emerging Market award category at the prestigious Carrier Community Global Awards (CCGA) 2024. This accolade acknowledges TM Global’s dedication to delivering services in developing regions, emphasising its positive contributions to connectivity and economic growth.

Khairul Liza Ibrahim, Executive Vice President of TM Global, said, “This award reinforces our commitment to advancing network infrastructure development and catalysing greater innovation. We have made significant endeavours, including strategic investments in regional subsea cable systems such as Sea-Me-We 6 and the Asia Link Cable System, which enhances global connectivity between ASEAN, Europe and North Asia.

“In Malaysia, we are the largest 5G backhaul network infrastructure provider, significantly contributing to the country’s 5G network coverage. We have also established the most extensive Edge Network Facilities throughout Malaysia, bringing content closer to local communities and businesses. These efforts align with TM’s aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030 while positioning Malaysia as a digital hub for the region,” she explained.

TM Global serves as the strategic gateway for global carriers, enterprises, hyperscalers, OTT providers, and next-generation AI application providers into Malaysia and the ASEAN region. Utilising its expansive network infrastructure, TM Global delivers services such as Multi-Edge Computing and Content Delivery, strengthening its position as a key enabler of digital transformation and global connectivity.

The CCGA is a distinguished event that recognises the achievements and innovations of telecom wholesale operators and ecosystem partners worldwide, and are independently judged by a panel of telecom analysts and experts from the industry.

KUALA LUMPUR, SINGAPORE, 18 JUNE 2024 – TM is partnering Nxera, the regional data centre arm of Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit, in a joint venture to develop data centres in Malaysia starting with a sustainable, hyper-connected AI-ready data centre campus in Johor. This strategic partnership aims to serve the needs of hyperscalers, next-generation AI application providers and enterprises pursuing accelerated digitalisation and cloud in the region. The joint venture is a unique proposition, bolstered by the extensive subsea cable networks of TM and Singtel’s Digital InfraCo which provide global connectivity and enhanced network performance with lower latency and improved reliability.

Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said, "Establishing a hyper-connected AI-ready data centre marks the next phase in our long-standing partnership with Singtel, leveraging our strengths and commitment to elevate ASEAN as the preferred digital hub destination. TM brings the largest domestic network infrastructure, extensive international subsea cable systems and the largest interconnected DC in Malaysia, a solid backbone for this project. This will serve as a catalyst for high performance computing and lay a solid foundation for the future advancement of cloud and AI applications. This collaboration of two main telcos in the region is unique and has positive impact to the development of digital ecosystem that not only benefit the businesses but also nurturing future talent. Through this partnership, TM continues to demonstrate its dedication to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, marking a pivotal step in our aspiration to becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.”

Bill Chang, CEO of Nxera and Singtel's Digital InfraCo unit, said, "We are excited to enter the Malaysian market with TM as our strategic partner. This collaboration advances our vision to be the region’s leading sustainable, hyperconnected AI-ready data centre platform, supporting businesses with the digital infrastructure needed for the growing demand for cloud, digitalisation and AI. The development of this first data centre campus in Johor, which can be expanded in phases, demonstrates our ability to scale quickly in markets that are important to our customers. With our joint industry expertise and strong track record, we will build and operate one of the most efficient, sustainable and connectivity-rich data centres in Malaysia. In addition to data centres, we will be expanding the submarine cable connectivity between Singapore and Johor to enhance digital connectivity. Our joint venture will also partner institutes of higher learning in Malaysia to nurture talent for our projects and the industry. Our strategy of developing data centre sites with close proximity to our operations in Singapore allow us to capture spill-over demand from our customers and help them scale their business with confidence.”  

Located in Iskandar Puteri, just 16 km from Singapore, the data centre campus will be the largest to date for both TM and Nxera. It will be built to the latest standards for reliability, security and sustainability while offering the best local and international connectivity. With its close proximity to subsea cable links between Singapore and Malaysia, the data centre will be well-placed to support the increasing demand from both countries’ digitalisation and development initiatives.

The initial phase of the data centre is planned for 64MW and can be scaled up to 200MW in response to market demand. This high-power density campus will be able to host large computing and AI capabilities such as requirements by cloud hyperscalers, GPU-as-a-Service providers and features advanced technologies such as liquid cooling to support high-power density workloads and operations efficiently. The data centre will be a LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building, emphasising its commitment to greater energy efficiency and sustainable practices.

As Malaysia’s integrated telco and technology leader, TM will contribute its expertise in the region’s network infrastructure deployment to deliver customised range of wholesale data, connectivity, data centre and platform solutions catering to both local and international needs. Additionally, TM also provides Cloud services via its sovereign Cloud Alpha Edge solution.

TM currently operates seven data centres across Malaysia with 2 core data centres located in Klang Valley and Johor. Its entry into the Asia Link Cable Systems (ALC) partnership facilitates the laying of a submarine cable system spanning approximately 7,200km, with an initial design capacity of 24 Terabits/sec. Coupled with the establishment of an international Cable Landing Station at TM Exchange Kuala Sedili, Johor, these serve as vital infrastructure enhancements to accelerate the growth of the data centre industry in the state.

Nxera is a rapidly growing regional platform backed by Singtel and leading global investment firm KKR, leveraging its data centre operations in Singapore to expand overseas. Customers can also tap into a host of services such as Singtel’s Paragon cloud orchestration platform and upcoming GPU-as-a-Service. They will be able to orchestrate their AI workloads in a multi-network and multi-cloud environment, serving as a catalyst for greater innovation, entrepreneurship and business excellence.

Nxera is developing three new AI-ready data centres in the region in addition to 62MW of existing capacity in Singapore. This includes a new 58MW data centre in Tuas, Singapore and data centres with partners in Indonesia and Thailand. Nxera’s total pipeline capacity is set to increase from its current operational capacity of 62MW in Singapore to more than 200MW in the region in the next three years. The data centres will be served by Digital InfraCo's comprehensive network of subsea fibre-optic cables which provide customers with the best country-to-country connectivity in the Asia Pacific region.

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 June 2024 – TM achieves TM Forum Open API Diamond Conformance Certification with 60 certified APIs, surpassing industry giants. This milestone underscores the company's commitment to industry standards and innovation.

TM Forum Open API enables seamless connectivity, interoperability and portability across complex ecosystem services. This “API-first” approach fosters collaboration and simplifies integration for developers. With over 770,000 downloads by over 2,700 companies worldwide, TM Forum’s Open APIs are a game changer for the industry. By achieving this certification, TM actively contributes to this global shift.

While at the TM Forum: Ignite conference in Copenhagen, Ivan Chong, TM’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) commented, “This certification aligns with our aspiration of becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030. We have established a reusable API framework, streamlined high-volume custom APIs and consolidated siloed API gateways into a single cohesive gateway, strengthening our platform play approach. This boosted our system response time by 34%, exemplifying a truly ‘plug and play’ technology capability.”

“The standardised Open APIs, tested in real-world deployment, enable faster time to market with 100% reusable and secure APIs from a curated catalogue. For example, by exposing API capabilities such as Digital Solutions to third-party partners, we can accelerate the development of new products and services for Smart Cities, Smart Education and Smart Healthcare. This fosters the creation of more innovative solutions and new revenue streams while adhering to global industry standards,” added Ivan.

TM's certification journey started with a Bronze in September 2023 with three APIs and quickly progressed to Diamond with 54 certified APIs in just seven months. Now at 60 certified APIs, TM demonstrates its dedication to agility, innovation, and collaboration.

By joining 11 of the world's largest service providers including Vodafone, China Mobile and Telefónica, who have adopted TM Forum's suite of Open APIs for digital service management, TM solidifies its global recognition among industry leaders.