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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YAYASAN TM’s ‘PROGRAM CAHAYA RAMADAN’ CONTINUES TO BRING JOY TO THE LESS FORTUNATE COMMUNITIES
KUALA LUMPUR, 22 March 2024 – TM, through its social foundation arm, Yayasan TM (YTM), announces the continuation of its ‘Program Cahaya Ramadan’. This year, the programme allocates RM320,000 to aid approximately 3,000 beneficiaries across Malaysia, including asnaf, orphans, B40 families, single mothers, Persons with Disabilities (PWD), tahfiz students, and the Orang Asli community. The initiative, mobilised through our state offices nationwide, focuses on distributing food baskets and raya essential items such as baju raya and duit raya (cash) to the identified beneficiaries during Ramadan. Ainol Shaharina Sahar, Director of Yayasan TM said, “It is our honour to once again initiate the ‘Program Cahaya Ramadan’, extending our hand in solidarity to those in need during this reflective and benevolent time of year. Our goal is to alleviate the hardships of our beneficiaries, ensuring they too can share in the joy and togetherness that Ramadan brings. We aim to foster a sense of community and hope, particularly among children, as they observe the sacred month and look forward to Eid ul-Fitr celebrations.” In addition to these efforts, YTM is launching the ‘Dana Kasih Yayasan TM’ fundraising campaign, aiming to raise RM30,000 to specifically assist Orang Asli families in Pos Kuala Mu, Sungai Siput, Perak. This campaign focuses on gathering funds to provide these families with essential food supplies for Ramadan, aiming to ensure they have the resources needed for a fulfilling festive period. The public is encouraged to support this noble cause by making donations through YTM’s bank account at 14180010000426 (Bank Islam). For further details, please visit YTM’s social media channels. In 2023, YTM’s ‘Program Cahaya Ramadan’ has benefitted more than 3,000 beneficiaries through over 20 programmes across the country. YTM collaborated with Pejabat Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai to organise the programme which was attended by its Member of Parliament, YB Fahmi Fadzil. As the programme continues to grow and reach more communities, YTM remains dedicated to nurturing hope, fostering solidarity, and creating lasting impacts in the lives of the underserved, reinforcing its goal of a more inclusive and supportive society.
TM Committed For Success Of TVET Madani
Following the official launch of ‘Portal TVET Madani’ and the exchange of Memorandum of Collaboration with the Government today, TM has reaffirmed its commitment to the success of TVET Madani through its tailored vocational education modules along with RM3.5 million contribution for training facilities and scholarship. TM is presently in the final stage of discussions with several TVET institutions to form partnerships that will help transform these institutions into industry-ready technical development centres, towards enhancing the employability of their graduates. This will be achieved through the introduction of industry-relevant modules on fibre networks and digital skillsets, the certification of trainers aligning to industry standards, as well as examinations for student certification. The company plans to develop highly qualified and experienced instructors among its partner institutions to provide expert guidance, especially for B40 students, throughout their vocational journey, and to offer mentorship and support to help them succeed. TM also plans to equip its partner institutions with access to requisite facilities, relevant modern equipment and technology that will provide students with hands-on learning experience that prepares them for real-world fibre network and digital work. TM shall invest RM2.5 million to upgrade the facilities and equipment to selected TVET institutions and a further RM1 million in scholarships for students from the B40 group. As a start, this will facilitate employment opportunities for close to 400 graduates per year to work within its business eco-system. “TM is pleased to announce its commitment to the Government’s TVET Madani initiative through a comprehensive programme that will address the entire value chain. With our strong focus on skills development and industry-relevant training, TM is determined to transform lives and bridge the gap between education and employment for a digitally skilled future workforce,” said Datuk Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM. “Across TM’s eco-system, we have over 430 fibre contractor partners, 880 vendors and over 90 TM 5G Sphere technology partners that will provide graduates close to 400 skilled job openings in the near future. “Vocational education will continue to play a crucial role in nurturing a skilled workforce and driving Malaysia’s digital economic growth. By equipping young Malaysians with the practical knowledge and skills needed in our telco and technology sector, we aim to empower the next generation of skilled talents to pursue meaningful careers and contribute to the development of communities and the nation,” he concluded.
Maxis Leverages TM’s High-speed Broadband Services to Drive Digital Adoption Nationwide
Maxis has extended its agreement with TM, the nation’s largest fibre network provider, to access TM’s High-Speed Broadband (HSBB) premium services until 2029. With the extension, Maxis will continue accessing TM’s national fibre network to provide customers with competitive fixed broadband offerings and value-added services. The partnership will enable Maxis to expand the reach of its high-speed internet connectivity to even more premises nationwide, complementing its own-build fibre network. Maxis currently provides fibre connectivity to more than 700,000 homes and businesses. In addition to standard HSBB access, the premium services include additional requirements that will help Maxis better serve their customers and improve efficiency, including one-stop connectivity and digital solutions offerings for enterprise customers. As a longstanding and premium TM HSBB partner, Maxis will be able to fully leverage the opportunities and broadband capabilities provided by TM, unlocking greater value for its customers. "We are pleased to extend and deepen our partnership with TM to further drive broadband adoption for the nation. The partnership in conjunction with our own extensive fibre network and core mobile business allows us to deploy our resources more efficiently and effectively so we are able to place greater focus on customer experience. This is in line with our integrated telco strategy of fulfilling all our customers’ connectivity needs," said Goh Seow Eng, Chief Executive Officer of Maxis. Commenting on the partnership, Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM said “TM is the ideal partner to catalyse Access Seeker's broadband aspirations whilst at the same time advancing Malaysia’s digital ambitions. Through our domestic fibre infrastructure, we are paving the way for a digital era that embraces sustainability, accelerated economic growth and community upliftment. TM is the backbone of the nation’s core connectivity with its pervasive domestic fibre coverage complemented by its vast international submarine cables connectivity that connects the world to Malaysia.” In our dynamic industry landscape, TM stands as Maxis’ biggest HSBB services partner. The collaboration traces back to 2010 when Maxis became the first telco provider to sign a HSBB access agreement with TM and the partnership has been on-going, culminating in this most recent extension. Earlier this year, TM took a strategic step forward by securing access to Maxis’ 4G Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) and 4G and 2G Domestic Roaming Services to enhance its mobile connectivity nationwide. This strategic alliance taps into the combined strengths of TM and Maxis, leveraging each other's network capabilities to enhance connectivity services reach and efficiency. By pooling resources and expertise, both providers not only elevate the quality of their services but also contribute significantly to the broader goal of advancing Malaysia's digital landscape.