20 Jan 2023
TM R&D inks MoU with ZTE to collaborate on optical network research, bringing the first 50gbps bandwidth experience to Malaysia
Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ZTE (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd (ZTE), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, to collaborate on optical network research, bringing the first 50Gbps bandwidth experience to Malaysia.
The MoU was signed by Dr Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D and Steven Ge, Chief Executive Officer, ZTE Malaysia.
Under this agreement, TM R&D and ZTE will jointly explore the capabilities of next-generation Passive Optical Network (PON) access technology, 50GPON, to support various application scenarios. In addition, both entities will look into use cases that can deliver ultra-broadband access to the government, enterprise and consumers, as well as support the requirements of innovative services such as 5G, Cloud Virtual Reality (VR), industrial intelligent manufacturing for high bandwidth, low latency & jitter, and clock synchronisation, all of which will enhance the user experience in Malaysia.
Commenting on the MoU, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, “TM R&D is committed to conducting research on future technologies and innovating new value-added smarter eco-systems that will improve the quality of user experience, and ultimately bring a positive impact on their lives. This fits well into the TM Group’s transformation towards becoming a human-centred TechCo. We are very excited to partner with a renowned global player such as ZTE to innovate on future generation PON technology in line with the global trend and technology roadmap.”
Meanwhile, Steven Ge, Chief Executive Officer, ZTE Malaysia shared, “With Gigabit home broadband services widely used in Malaysia at present, and the basic fixed network is in the time window of evolution from GPON to 10G PON, this partnership could not have come at a better time.”
“ZTE is pleased with the opportunity to collaborate with TM R&D on future research in next-generation PON technology supporting Digital Malaysia,” he added.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Chairman of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission pays a visit to TM’s 5G use cases in Langkawi
The Company also deployed the region’s first 5G Standalone (SA) network Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) was honored to receive an official working visit by Al-Ishsal Ishak, Chairman of Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to TM's 5G use cases in Langkawi, Kedah recently. The transmission of 5G service in Pulau Langkawi is utilising the region's first 5G Standalone (SA) network, deployed by TM. Al-Ishsal and his delegates were received by Rosli Man, Chairman of TM; Ir. Ts. Azizi A. Hadi, Chief Network Officer, TM; Ahmad Taufek Omar, Executive Vice President / Chief Executive Officer, TM ONE; and Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM Research and Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D). Commenting on the visit, Rosli said: "We are very honored to welcome the Chairman of MCMC to experience our 5G use cases which include UNESCO 8K Virtual Reality (VR) at Langkawi International Airport (LIA) as well as to observe TM's 5G network, smart and innovative solution operations centre at its 5G Command Centre (5GCC). 5GCC serves as an integrated command centre for all our 5G network, smart and innovative solutions in Langkawi. As the national telecommunications infrastructure provider of Malaysia's Digital Nation aspirations, we are indeed excited to be part of this 5G Demonstration Project undertaken by MCMC and showcase our 5G use cases. This signifies our support and capabilities to realise MCMC's aspiration in progressing humanity towards improving the quality of lives of the Rakyat. TM, via our innovative and comprehensive products and solutions will continue to work closely with the Government and MCMC to lay the foundation for Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) and rolling out 5G nationwide to serve a more digital society and lifestyle, digital businesses and industry verticals, as well as digital Government." During the visit, Al-Ishsal was briefed on TM's capabilities and readiness to deploy 5G network solutions as well as how the Company can power the Government's Digital Malaysia aspirations through its innovative products and solutions. TM also aspires to work together with the local authorities, particularly in Langkawi to make it a safe tourist destination via TM's solutions. Under the 5G Demonstration Project, TM through its enterprise and public sector business solutions arm, TM ONE and its research and development arm, TM R&D are deploying 11 use cases in Langkawi as below: Smart Safety and Security Solutions – a real-time monitoring system consisting of cameras and related monitoring equipment placed in strategic areas to serve variety of purposes, including building/grounds security, crime prevention, and traffic observation and integrated with TM's emergency response team. Smart Agriculture Solutions – a solution that offers single display and real time monitoring that provides information on indoor farming environment's key parameters such as temperature, humidity, grow lights intensity and selected plant parameters that are critical for timely decision making and ensuring optimality of the growth conditions. Smart Traffic Lights Solutions – data driven solution that provides a single dashboard for monitoring and helps to improve traffic flow by reducing waiting time at traffic lights, improve traffic congestions and management of traffic. Smart Parking Solutions – parking system that provides real time parking bay monitoring using camera and Artificial Intelligence (AI) which enable users to search for vacant parking bay via mobile app. UNESCO 8K VR – 8K resolution streaming over cloud, showcasing 2 episodes focusing on (1) geopark & geosites; and (2) lifestyle in Langkawi. Tourists can have a taste of all these hidden treasures through an immersive virtual reality experience for some hard to access locations that are not for the less fit. Smart Tourism "My Smart City" application – a single, integrated mobile app for tourists' convenience as it consists of several features and services such as Trip Planner, Places of Interest, Events & Happenings, Parking, and Alert Button. Smart Retail Analytics – a platform that analyses customer's experience within a physical premise and offers insights to enhance that experience. With this solution, retailers can improve customer experience, sales and brand loyalty as the platform supports customised services, targeted advertising and visitor visibility. Smart Water Management System – an internet of water solution that offers seamless end-to-end smart water integration that improves non-revenue water management, optimises repair and replacement of ageing infra as well as improves response to weather events such as flooding and pollution through smart water level and water quality measurements respectively. Smart Vehicle Management System – a fleet management solution that provides management of commercial motor vehicles for work purposes. Smart Safety Helmet – a data-driven smart industrial helmet that helps make worksite safer by providing live, wireless monitoring and array of sensors (i.e. accident impact and geolocation) to perform various analysis of data. Geolocation People Safety – the tracking solution is designed to protect and connect with people who matters the most that allows users to locate loved ones and receive alert based on safety zone and SOS button through mobile application. With all these uses cases in place and most of it are already up and running, TM has the highest number of 5G use cases among the telcos participating in the 5G Demonstration Project. The demonstration project is for TM to test the new 5G features, explore the 5G technology system and assess the best way to deploy 5G infrastructure nationwide. The transmission of 5G service in Pulau Langkawi has been going live since early December, where TM has deployed the first 5G Standalone (SA) network in the country and the region. The Company is currently testing the implementation of a converged 5G core network which allows co-existence of Non-Stand Alone (NSA) and SA network. SA is the future of the 5G network deployment and this demonstration is crucial to fast track 5G implementation in the country. 5G speed tests conducted within TM's 5G use cases sites have successfully achieved up to 1.5Gbps. TM's aspiration is to deliver efficient and cost effective 5G infrastructure via infrastructure sharing approach, through the access regulations implemented by MCMC. This is by leveraging on its extensive fibre networks, including the submarine cables, telecommunications towers, and Cloud computing as well as ready Data Centres to support the 5G era in Malaysia. In terms of devices and use cases, its wholly-owned subsidiary, TM R&D is also developing and experimenting 5G related equipment to get ready for the upcoming 5G.
TM R&D’s Customer-focused innovations recognised at the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards
In-house smart solutions for Fixed Wireless Access connectivity and customer experience platform for frontliners awarded under “Connectivity-Telecommunications” and “AI-IT Services” categories respectively Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), recently bagged two awards at the Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards 2022, organised by the Singapore Business Review. The Malaysia Technology Excellence Awards spotlights exceptional companies who are technology disruptors that boosts Malaysia’s economy. TM’s Fast Internet for All (FIRA) solution was bestowed the award under the “Connectivity-Telecommunications” category, while TM’s Single Platform on Intelligent Customer Experience (SPICE.ai) won the award in the “Artificial Intelligence (AI)-IT Services” category. Commenting on these awards, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, “I couldn’t be prouder of my team as these awards reflect their commitment to meet the fast-evolving digital needs of today’s customers and strengthen our position as a research leader in these fields. This recognition also reaffirms our efforts in building smarter digital ecosystems to facilitate the ease with which Malaysians can embrace a more digital lifestyle, while also bringing progress to the nation.” FIRA was introduced as a way to support the government in providing Malaysians with quality access to digital connectivity nationwide. Aimed at offering better internet service to underserved communities, FIRA uses Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) technologies to improve connectivity in rural areas across Malaysia. Since its first deployment in Malacca back in July 2020, the solution has demonstrated promising success in improving download and upload link speeds compared to other broadband services. The solution has since been implemented at a rural school in Selangor and at Pusat Komuniti Desa sites under the Ministry of Rural Development. It has also supported an IR4.0 use case in Terengganu. “FIRA is formulated to address two common issues: coverage and speed. The solution is capable to deliver connectivity up to 50Mbps within 5-8km range, compared to a traditional 4G cell within 1km range. Furthermore, with its quick deployment procedures, FIRA can help mitigate customers’ connectivity concerns in a cost-effective and timely manner,” shared Dr. Sharlene. SPICE.ai, on the other hand, aims to assist frontliners in their daily task of addressing customer service enquiries and requests. Dr Sharlene explained, “SPICE.ai consists of multiple components that cover different parts of an existing customer experience system. By integrating these components, frontliners gain a more holistic view of each customers’ profiles. The solution then implements real-time analytics to improve customer experience, giving frontliners the right information at the right time which allows them to deliver a better experience to customers.” This analytics system has been deployed nationwide for nearly two years and becomes the primary touchpoint for more than 5,000 TM frontliners in most customer interactions across multiple channels. The performance of SPICE.ai has proven to be reliable and seamless even when integrated with more than 20 existing, standalone systems and was still able to relay the processed information through one single platform, on top of providing analytics and advisory. Established in 2001, TM R&D is the innovation arm of 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 pillars namely Intelligent Platforms, Data Brokerage, Connectivity/Tools and IR4.0/Digital Solutions. Growing from strength to strength, 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 developed in-house and cut across multiple industries such as Utilities, Retail, Agriculture, Healthcare and Education, with safety and productivity as its top priority.
TM AND TANAH MAKMUR COLLABORATE TO BRING HIGH-SPEED CONNECTIVITY TO FLAGSHIP KOTASAS DEVELOPMENT
KUALA LUMPUR, 16 AUGUST 2024 – TM via its leading digital convergence arm, Unifi, is collaborating with Tanah Makmur Berhad, to provide fibre broadband services to more than 1,700 residences at the flagship Kota Sultan Ahmad Shah (KotaSAS) township in Bandar Baru, Kuantan. The agreement was exchanged between Unifi’s Vice President for Product & Innovation Armizy Abdullah Shukri, and Tanah Makmur’s Group CEO YH. Dato’ Shahrul Nizam Abdul Aziz, witnessed by YB. Dato’ Ir. Razali bin Kassim, EXCO, Pahang State Public Works, Transport and Health, and YH. Dato’ Kamarul’ Arifin bin Ahmad, Pahang State Investment Officer. Leveraging TM’s role as the nation’s leading digital infrastructure provider, Unifi will provide customised high speed broadband plans to residences. Homeowners and residents will have access to Unifi’s broadband services immediately, empowering their digital lifestyles. The inclusion of broadband services will also reinforce KotaSAS’ proposition to deliver high-value properties with reliable connectivity, strengthening its status as Pahang’s new administrative centre. Anand Vijayan, TM’s Chief Business & Consumer Officer, said, “Unifi is committed to providing the best digital infrastructure and connectivity services, enhancing the quality of life and economic opportunities within the KotaSAS community. This partnership will offer the same unmatched value, seamless integration, and superior customer support that we promise all our customers. This is another milestone in TM’s efforts to empower Malaysians with digital access for a better future, and aligns with our Digital Powerhouse aspiration to advance Malaysia for the next digital revolution.” YH. Dato’ Shahrul Nizam added, “We are pleased to work with TM and Unifi once more in delivering a seamless customer experience, ensuring future residents benefit from high-speed connectivity. The introduction of fibre broadband is just the beginning of our journey towards elevating KotaSAS as Pahang’s new administrative and economic capital, setting the stage for future smart city initiatives, energy-efficient systems, and digital public services. With digital services transforming homes, communities and businesses, KotaSAS is poised to not only be Pahang’s foremost township, but a central hub for socio-economic growth in the East Coast region.” In addition to fibre broadband, KotaSAS residents will also gain access to Unifi’s converged offerings including the best 5G & 4G mobile services, the largest platform of premier channels and streaming apps in Malaysia, as well as comprehensive smart home solutions. Recently named the Best Home Broadband Service Provider at the 2024 PC.com Awards, Unifi continues to innovate and deliver outstanding services and value to communities throughout Malaysia.
NEWSLETTER
Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!