25 May 2022
TM records steady performance in 1Q2022 with revenue & PATAMI up 2.9% & 4.4%; maintains focus on its growth strategies execution
In the second year of its Transformation, the Group is on track to achieve its 2022 market guidance, focusing on strengthening its core businesses and investing in new growth areas
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) continued its growth trajectory and long-term business sustainability, recording a steady performance in its First Quarter ended 31 March 2022 as compared to the same period last year (YoY).
The Group's operating revenue increased by 2.9% to RM2.89 billion, compared to RM2.81 billion in the same quarter last year, driven primarily by increased demand for voice, Internet and multimedia. Despite rising competition to offer converged solutions among telco and other technology players, TM continued to deliver strong customer growth across its operations.
Capitalising on its core businesses and investing into new growth areas, TM further ramped up its transformation initiatives, delivering profit after tax and non-controlling interests (PATAMI) for the quarter at RM339.9 million or 4.4% higher than the RM325.5 million recorded in 1Q2021. The Group also recorded lower financial costs subsequent to the early redemption of its RM2.0 billion sukuk in March 2021, as well as lower foreign exchange translation losses on borrowings. The Group has applied the Cukai Makmur statutory tax rate accordingly for the current quarter.
Accelerating into the second year of its Transformation, TM brought forward its manpower optimisation to enable earlier realisation of expected benefits to the Group. This, along with foreign exchange impact on trade settlement has led to a 5.0% decrease in EBIT at RM560.4 million for 1Q2022 compared to RM589.7 million in the same quarter last year. Excluding these costs, the Group's underlying EBIT is 14.0% higher at RM650.2 million compared to RM570.5 million in 1Q 2021. Free Cash Flow is lower by 15.1% at RM658.8 million compared to RM775.7 million due to higher CAPEX as the Group continues to invest in business expansion and meeting customers' demands through technology refresh and network delivery, ensuring steady growth.
unifi: Double-digit revenue and subscriber growth
unifi continued its growth performance, recording revenue increase of 10.6% from RM1.25 billion to RM1.38 billion in the current quarter. Sustained by increasing demand from Internet, voice and sales of devices, with cumulative fixed Internet subscribers increasing by 17.5% against the corresponding quarter last year. unifi remains the largest growth contributor for the Group.
unifi will continue to maintain its leadership in fixed broadband and enhance its Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC), enriched with TV and streaming content. This reflects its commitment to improve its FMC customer experience with better and seamless service. unifi will also grow its SME digital platform as a one-stop service centre for solutions catering especially to SMEs nationwide.
TM Wholesale (TMW): Higher revenue from increased demand for data services
TM Wholesale (TMW) also recorded a growth performance for 1Q2022, with revenue increasing by 1.2% from RM631.9 million in 1Q2021 to RM639.5 million, mainly contributed by higher revenue from voice and data services. This was underpinned by increasing demand from High-speed Broadband Access (HSBA) and higher International Voice and Data.
To date, TMW continues to enable industry broadband and 4G network via its fibre infrastructure, with the ongoing 5G rollout further strengthening that role. On the international front, it will continue to serve other OTTs and hyperscalers with connectivity and data centres, while regionally, TM Wholesale aspires to establish Malaysia as a digital hub for ASEAN via new submarine cables, enhanced data centre solutions and edge computing.
TM One: Renewed focus on growing B2B digital solutions market
TM One, the Group's enterprise and public sector arm, recorded a 7.4% decrease in revenue from RM925.2 million to RM856.8 million in 1Q2022 due to decline in data services revenue.
Strengthening and growing its B2B digital solutions, TM One has focused its efforts on high potential industry verticals, namely healthcare, manufacturing, education, oil & gas, banking, financial services & insurance (BFSI) and public sector. It has entered a partnership with Tune Protect and Huawei Malaysia that saw Tune Protect becoming the first organisation in Malaysia to host an insurance core system on public cloud (Cloud αEdge).
Commentary and Outlook from Imri Mokhtar, TM Group Chief Executive Officer
"With our economy and borders reopening, TM is powering Malaysia's journey on its road towards recovery, by ensuring the vision of an inclusive and extensive Digital Malaysia becomes a reality.
"Into the second year of our Transformation, we are focused on strengthening our core business while investing into new growth areas to meet customers' demands. In ensuring sustainability in the long run, we continue to grow our profitability to invest and seize opportunities arising from digital acceleration.
"One of these opportunities is in the exciting space of digital solutions and services for enterprises. Building on TM One's existing capability and relationships with enterprises and the public sector, we will deliver speed and agility through our new digital arm Credence: a corporate start-up led by technology leaders.
"unifi continues to better its fixed broadband and Fixed-Mobile Convergence value proposition to improve customer experience, while expanding our offerings to provide quality entertainment to customers at home or on-the-go.
"We have also achieved some key milestones in our sustainability efforts. TM One has successfully secured the Green Electricity Tariff from Tenaga Nasional Berhad for its data centres in Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya and Johor Bahru, contributing to a lower carbon footprint as the demand for cloud storage inevitably increases. This is in addition to the existing Green Building Index (GBI) certification earlier obtained for its core data centres. TM's broader ESG commitment also remains consistent with Malaysia's initiatives towards achieving net-zero Greenhouse Gas emission for the country by 2050.
"Meanwhile, TM Wholesale continues to establish Malaysia as a regional digital hub via new submarine cables, edge computing, data centres and supporting international connectivity. On the domestic front, TM Wholesale continues performing its role as the enabler for industry broadband, 4G and 5G network via fibre infrastructure that will transform the nation's connectivity capabilities."
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TM One-UC Tati collaboration to enhance Terengganu’s tech research and development; enables education equity for students in the state
The Master Services Agreement (MSA) between TM & UC TATI will enable the digital transformation initiatives of this state government university college TM One, the enterprise and public sector business solutions arm of Telekom Malaysia (TM), has signed a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with University College Terengganu Advanced Technical Institute (UC TATI) to provide high speed managed data and Internet services at its Teluk Kalong Kemaman Campus and Kuala Terengganu City Campus respectively, for the benefit and use by the students, lecturers and staff. The partnership, which includes a complete end-to-end package of both Wide Area Network and Local Area Network effectively enables wireless connectivity throughout the campuses, and is part of the Terengganu-based institution's efforts to enhance its digital research and development field, as well as delighting student experiences post pandemic. In particular, TM One’s high-speed Internet services will support the Terengganu Big Data Institute (BDIT) located at UC TATI to conduct research and activities related to public data for the university college and the Terengganu State Government. With this, TM One enables UC TATI to explore new digital technologies such as Cloud-Based Services, Public Data and Disaster Recovery Centres that will enhance student learning as well as potentially serve the local Government and surrounding communities. General Manager of State Sales for TM One, Jamalullail Mohd said, “This agreement symbolises the strong partnership between TM One and UC TATI to provide next gen connectivity services for more contextual teaching and learning experiences to students. The accelerated adoption of digitisation has impacted the lives of Malaysians everywhere, with access to fast and reliable Internet services becoming a necessity in households, workplaces and learning institutions. This collaboration ensures educational equity and equal access to students from all parts of the country and we are pleased to support UC TATI in their transformation.” "This collaboration will also be a catalyst for UC TATI in its digital transformation journey and is among the first steps for us to meet the IR 4.0 revolution. In addition to enhancing our research and development efforts into Big Data and other key technologies, this Internet service will enhance the university's operational efficiency, teaching and learning, and overall student experiences – especially for those who are resident on-campus. Working with TM One enables us to improve our capabilities and the quality of our services in these fields and to bring our institution into the next phase of its growth," explained Professor Dr. Anuar Bin Ahmad, Rector of UC TATI.
TM collaborates with Malaysia telecommunications tower providers for access to tower sites facilities
The strategic collaboration affirms TM’s commitment and readiness to drive Malaysia’s Digital Economy aspirations as the national digital infrastructure accelerator Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) marked another milestone as the national connectivity and digital infrastructure provider when its wholesale domestic and international business arm, TM WHOLESALE, entered into a collaboration with nine (9) tower providers (TowerCos), enabling access to tower sites facilities. The nine (9) TowerCos are the members of Persatuan Penyedia Infrastruktur Telekomunikasi (PPIT), namely D'Harmoni Telco Infra Sdn Bhd, Melaka ICT Holdings Sdn Bhd, Perlis Comm Sdn Bhd, Infra Quest Sdn Bhd, Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd, EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd, PDC Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd, Desabina Industries Sdn Bhd and Yiked Bina Sdn Bhd. The ceremony was held recently in Johor Bahru attended by TM and nine (9) other TowerCos. TM was represented by Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Executive Vice President, TM WHOLESALE, while the TowerCos were represented by: Dato' Haji Mohd Rehat Ahmad, Chief Operating Officer, D'Harmoni Telco Infra Sdn Bhd, who is also the President of PPIT Dato' Mohd Fauzi Yaakub, Deputy Chairman, Melaka ICT Holdings Sdn Bhd Dato' Ramli Abd Rahman, Managing Director, Perlis Comm Sdn Bhd Ab Aziz Yunus, Executive Chairman, Infra Quest Sdn Bhd Iwan Che Wan Che Ismail, Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director, Perak Integrated Network Services Sdn Bhd Muniff Kamaruddin, Chief Executive Officer, EdgePoint Towers Sdn Bhd Hasmunir Hamid, Acting Chief Executive Officer, PDC Telecommunication Services Sdn Bhd Shikh Badrudden Shikh Ismail, General Manager, Desabina Industries Sdn Bhd Azhan Abdul Hamid, General Manager, Yiked Bina Sdn Bhd Under the collaboration, the nine (9) TowerCos will provide TM with access to their tower sites, including land and rooftop facilities. This will enable TM to connect the towers with its high-speed fibre optic network to support high quality network performance and capability. Commenting on the collaboration, Amar Huzaimi said, "TM through TM WHOLESALE, is committed to ensuring our national telecommunication industry is provided with cutting edge connectivity and extensive fibre infrastructure solutions as a catalyst to accelerate the delivery of a high quality digital experience to all Malaysians, true to our role as national digital infrastructure accelerator. This will allow service providers to serve their customers with faster connectivity speed and greater bandwidth capacity for the current 4G and future 5G services nationwide. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment as the enabler of Digital Malaysia in supporting the country's digital aspirations, which include the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL)." Meanwhile, Dato' Hj Mohd Rehat said, "TM has been a long-standing partner of PPIT for over a decade, and together, we have developed a high level of trust among each other. After a few series of fruitful discussions, PPIT and TM have once again agreed to ink a new collaboration to continue to work hand-in-hand in respect of the access to tower sites facilities."
TM accorded special Kincentric COVID Resilience Award Malaysia 2020 for its efforts and proactive measures in combating Covid-19 pandemic
The Company received special recognition for its efforts and proactive measures in handling, mitigating and curbing the spread of COVID-19. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) was recently awarded the Special Kincentric COVID Resilience Award Malaysia at the Kincentric Best Employers Malaysia 2020 Learning Conference and Award Ceremony which was held virtually. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, people and organisations face unprecedented new challenges. The special awards recognise companies that have been actively managing the employee experience in the rapidly unfolding COVID-19 crisis; especially for those in critical functions ensuring business continuity and recovery. The judging criteria is based on key themes of Senior Leadership/communication, virtual work effectiveness, concern and engagement on employee wellness; supported by people practices. Badrul Hisham Ahmad, Vice President, Support Business TM who is also the Chairman of TM's COVID-19 Crisis Response Team (CRT) virtually received the award on behalf of TM. He was also one of the panelists in the sharing session among the winners of the COVID Resilience Award. Commenting on the achievement, Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer, TM said, "We are humbled and honoured to receive this meaningful award on behalf of all our Warga TM. In these challenging times, their dedication and commitment to serve our customers and the nation with essential connectivity have been exemplary. We would like to especially thank our COVID-19 Crisis Response Team and volunteers such as PAKAR Semboyan, TM Rovers, the 'buddies' and others behind the scenes; who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure all are taken care of." "TM will continue to take proactive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 for the safety of our employees, customers and stakeholders. We remain committed to help Malaysia rebuild its economy via connectivity and digital solutions. Together may we return stronger," he added. Kincentric, a Spencer Stuart Company through its Kincentric Best Employers programme gives high-performing organisations credit and visibility for the quality of their employer brand – and an edge in the talent marketplace. With 20 years of robust data on employee experience behind it, the programme measures and differentiates employers on the four (4) people-factors that are key to success, namely high employee engagement, agility, engaging leadership and talent focus. This year, Kincentric has introduced a special COVID Resilience Award to recognise organisations that have risen above and holistically supported their employees in managing the significant emotional, social and economic impact brought on by the pandemic. This award demonstrates how a great employee experience defines the ability for a business to survive and thrive, especially in critical moments.
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