TM One and SME Bank sign agreement to provide technology funding to SMEs via SME Technology Transformation Fund (STTF)
TM One, the business and public sector solutions arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad (SME Bank), an agency under the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative to offer technology funding for its Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) customers to accelerate their business and digital transformation.
The MoU was signed by Ahmad Taufek Omar, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, TM One while SME Bank was represented by Aria Putera Ismail, its Group President/Chief Executive Officer.
The SME Technology Transformation Fund (STTF), is a fund set up between SME Bank and the Ministry of Finance to offer financing assistance of up to RM3.0 million to local SMEs. This is part of the Government's Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (PENJANA) economic stimulus package to provide financial assistance to SMEs in adopting digitalisation and/or automation in their business operations.
Commenting on the collaboration, Ahmad Taufek said, "We are excited to work hand-in-hand with SME Bank to accelerate digital adoption amongst our customers particularly in the SME segment. This is in support of the Government's efforts under PENJANA to execute key initiatives to help SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our aim is to assist SMEs in addressing real business challenges and issues that they are currently facing with the digital solutions available. We have put in place dedicated teams and solutions to enable our customers to realise the full potential of their digital opportunities. Our Professional Services are a consultative approach in helping SMEs to understand how to plan their digital transformation based on their unique business requirements."
Meanwhile, Aria said, "With a fund size of RM500 million, STTF is expected to directly assist SME entrepreneurs to achieve higher productivity, process efficiency, efficient cost management and greater market penetration. As at 11 November 2020, SME Bank has approved 18 applications worth RM36.55 million under the STTF fund. SME Bank's role in encouraging the SMEs to adopt digital technology was further enhanced with the introduction of ODELA, the first one-stop e-commerce platform backed by a Development Financial Institution (DFI), that enabled B2B entrepreneurs to make transactions and foster partnership across vast ecosystems. The Bank's wholesome approach in providing financing and entrepreneur development assistance further adds value and accelerate the development of digital economy thus boosting the nation's economic growth in this challenging time."
STTF is to be used for financing the purchases of IT solutions and services, technology support services, computer hardware and software, equipment and/or machinery and other intangible assets to enhance productivity and efficiency. SMEs as defined by the National Entrepreneur and SME Development Council (NESDC) are eligible to apply for STTF.
TM One's solutions are aimed at helping SMEs to achieve higher productivity, better cost management and improved efficiency for wider market penetration through the adoption of digitalisation and automation. As the digital enabler for enterprise and public sector customers with enterprise-grade connectivity and end-to-end cloud offerings, the Company is well positioned to enable the ecosystem for digital society, digital business and digital government. Leveraging on its complete digital solutions offerings across connectivity (Internet & Data), voice and collaboration tools, business outsourcing services, cloud services, cybersecurity and Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart services, TM One will fulfil the needs of businesses and the public sector in embracing digital convergence towards enabling Digital Malaysia.
This is in line with TM Group's unique role as the nation's connectivity and digital infrastructure provider. It is also in support of Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) Plan to drive Malaysia's Digital Economy through business digitalisation and new ways of working.
For more information on TM One solutions and how to apply for STTF, visit www.smebank.com.my and www.tmone.com.my.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
TM & Astro collaborate to deliver high quality digital experience
TM provides Astro with full suite of wholesale infrastructure and connectivity solutions to enable Astro to serve its customers with reliable broadband and content services. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (Astro) today inked deals to collaborate in delivering a high quality digital experience to all Malaysians. The collaboration also signifies both companies' commitment to support the “Jalinan Digital Negara” (JENDELA) initiative in providing wider broadband coverage and a better experience nationwide. The agreements were signed by Imri Mokhtar, Group Chief Executive Officer of TM and Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Executive Vice President, TM WHOLESALE while Astro was represented by Henry Tan, Group Chief Executive Officer and Shafiq Abdul Jabbar, Group Chief Financial Officer. Through this strategic collaboration, TM, via TM WHOLESALE, its global and wholesale business arm, will provide Astro with a full suite of infrastructure and connectivity solutions that comprises the whole range of wholesale services inclusive of high speed broadband (HSBB), bandwidth, backhaul and Internet access. This extensive and robust fibre network infrastructure will enable TM together with Astro to provide high-quality and reliable connectivity to their end-users. With TM’s HSBB service, Astro also will be able to provide broadband services to its customers without having the need to build a new infrastructure while extending its coverage to wider areas across the country via a fibre network. As for Internet services, TM’s internet access solution will enable Astro to offer high performance internet connectivity and a comprehensive solution to its customers. To complete the services, TM will also provide Astro with its Content Delivery Network (TM CDN), a newly developed content platform service that delivers seamless, faster and secure digital content. This will enable Astro to strengthen its video streaming efficiency to its current service offerings. Commenting on the collaboration, Imri said: “TM as the leading infrastructure partner for High Speed Broadband wholesale services, leveraged its superior network nationwide to support the industry’s broadband growth. We are also the primary mobile backhaul infrastructure provider for the industry with extensive coverage and capacity. As the digital infrastructure accelerator in Malaysia, we have always been a strong advocate of infrastructure sharing. Thus we are honoured to be given this opportunity to leverage each other’s expertise to provide Malaysians with high quality broadband and content services that we have. This strategic collaboration also demonstrates our commitment to ensure Malaysians are provided with a seamless and “always-on” connectivity experience. We are happy to work with Astro and this is yet another testament to our pivotal role as the enabler of Digital Malaysia aspirations.” Meanwhile, Henry Tan said: “This strategic partnership with TM lays the foundation for Astro to be an internet service provider. Astro’s goal is to provide Malaysians with the best digital experience and broadband value proposition. Leveraging on the strength of TM’s wide HSBB network will enable Astro to realise new revenue streams, scaling our broadband service with content bundles, or standalone broadband and other product lines. This deal gives us more flexibility to offer great value and convenience to our customers.”
Indulge Your Sensory Experience At The Upcoming Immersio Festival Organised By Yayasan Tm And Filamen At Muzium Telekom
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) through its foundation arm, Yayasan TM (YTM) continues to support the nation's creative industry development by hosting IMMERSIO Festival in collaboration with Filamen at Muzium Telekom Kuala Lumpur. The festival is one of the unique large-scale Art & Technology experiential exhibitions to be staged in the city centering on New Media Art, NFT Crypto Art and Immersive Art, featuring more than 60 local digital artists and collectives from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak. IMMERSIO was established in 2017 with the objective to bring together new media artists from around Kuala Lumpur and the region to exhibit their work marrying arts and technology. After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the event is back for its fourth (4th) instalment. This month, the festival will occupy Muzium Telekom for the first time, throughout the 27,000 sqft venue in the heart of Kuala Lumpur with 12 immersive installations and 7 workshops as well as talks. Situated within the 94-years old heritage building, Muzium Telekom traces the history of telecommunications in Malaysia from the 1870s up to the present, and IMMERSIO with the theme Mengukir pays homage to the country's achievements in digital infrastructure. Bringing together like-minded emerging and well-established artists, YTM aims to create more meaningful and accessible relationships between people, cultural heritage and the digital world through art and technology. Among the line-up is the Kuala Lumpur based artist, Jun Ong's kinetic installation "Beacon", an expression of the sensorial response to the extinction of nature. Visitors are also invited to take a walk around the room featuring "In Soul in the Fabric of Society", an installation of songket handwoven fabrics by a collective of women weavers from Sarawak known as Tanoti, as well as art installation using fiber optic materials by Cheong See Min, a weaver and textile artist based in Johor. Walking into the exhibition, the visitors will experience Network, an audio installation of telecommunication soundbites from the classic landline telephone to 5G radio waves specially curated by artist duo iwaz and Martian Backline. Conceived partly in response to the Covid-19 crisis, which has been a time of isolation for many, the installation reminds us to be grateful for advancement of technologies that we often take for granted. YTM aims to transform this heritage museum into a vibrant and versatile public arts space that enable artists, collectors and art lovers to immerse themselves to experience these new art mediums in new exciting ways and at the same time provide a platform for inspiring talents including TM Group's own Multimedia University (MMU) students to showcase their creativity and innovation at Muzium Telekom. Holding on to the higher principle of ensuring that no one gets left behind in this digital age, YTM is also exhibiting the extraordinary artworks from WE&I and Nakseni gifted artists in the Virtual Reality (VR) Gallery. The festival will be also featuring the artwork by Rashwin Kalithas, a five-year old special needs young artist that will be receiving a recognition by The Malaysia Book of Records for the "Youngest Autistic Child to Hold Solo Digital Arts Exhibition" at this Media & Partner Night held at Muzium Telekom. Commenting on IMMERSIO and the collaboration with Filamen, Director of Yayasan TM, Izlyn Ramli said, "As a purpose driven social impact based foundation, YTM is committed to the development of arts, creative ventures and culture. It is a necessary part of our nation's heritage preservation and celebration but also a key foundation to build our future. Creativity and innovation are not just confined to a certain sector, they are applicable across all fields of life as well as being key life skills as an individual. This must be nurtured and supported by all stakeholders for the betterment of society. Through IMMERSIO, YTM is also activating our digital talent incubator at Muzium Telekom that is part of our third pillar of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, alongside Education and Community and Nation-Building, connecting the dots between youth, talent and creativity to skills development, digital opportunities and collaborative partners." "This year, YTM has launched The Muzium Telekom Transformation Plan to reactivate and placemake our heritage building as an engaging public space, with the aim of education, entertainment and monetisation opportunities for the communities we serve. One of our placemaking initiatives is "TEMU Weekends", a community-driven creative event that happens every Saturday and Sunday to engage and draw people to Muzium Telekom where they can socialise and hang out together with friends, family and the city. YTM will continue its ongoing mission with future-forward immersive museum exhibits and many more exciting and engaging community programmes" she added. As the main organiser, Co-founder of Filamen, Abdul Shakir said, " IMMERSIO will become a major platform for local and international artists in art and technology. We hope this will nurture more young talents into the digital medium and new media arts. This platform is also meant to connect and engage different communities to make arts and technology more engaging and accessible. We look forward to build IMMERSIO up further to become one of the leading arts and technology festivals within the region and internationally. Thank you Yayasan TM for this opportunity to utilise and interact with this wonderful space at Muzium Telekom this year!" The organiser would also like to thank all its partners, especially EPSON Malaysia, Martian Backline, Wonderland, HelioMedia, Experiential Design Team, InTransit, CahayaXR, Lokalocal, WE&I, Nakseni and event partners iNYALA, Kuala Lumpur Art Book Fair, Kuala Lumpur Illustration Fair and Klang River Festival for their invaluable efforts and commitment to make this the best experience for the visitors. Also present today to officiate IMMERSIO's Media & Partner Night at Muzium Telekom was Datuk TPr Sulaiman Mohamed, Executive Director (Planning), Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. With a one-month curated programme ranging from talks, exhibits, audio-visual shows, and advanced digital art workshops, it is a chance for the public to be a part of the buzzing local digital arts scene, make new connections, and take home some very useful knowledge. Come and explore IMMERSIO the exciting digital arts and innovations exhibition from 5th – 27th November 2022 (1030am-1030pm) at Muzium Telekom! Details are also available on the related digital and social media accounts of YTM and Filamen. Yayasan TM Facebook – www.facebook.com/yayasantm Yayasan TM Instagram – www.instagram.com/yayasantm Yayasan TM Linkedin – www.linkedin.com/company/yayasantm Filamen Facebook - www.facebook.com/wearefilamen Filamen Instagram - www.instagram.com/wearefilamen
TM launches first phase of 5G services for unifi mobile customers and businesses
Strengthening Unifi’s fixed-mobile convergence offering, TM aims to deliver seamless 5G transition and spur Malaysia’s 5G adoption and digital capabilities Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) is uniquely positioned to accelerate Malaysia’s 5G adoption, as the Group leverages its convergence leadership in delivering seamless fixed and mobile services to customers and businesses. Following the signing of DNB’s Access Agreement on 30 October 2022, TM launched the first phase of its 5G services today, offering unlimited 5G data to existing Unifi Mobile Postpaid customers, as well as new Postpaid and Prepaid customers. “DNB’s Access Agreement provides a level playing field for telcos to access the single 5G network equally, to deliver a wider range of innovative services,” said Imri Mokhtar, TM’s Group CEO. “Leveraging this equal entry into 5G plus our current suite of connectivity and digital solutions, TM will be better placed to drive innovation and digital transformation at a national level, aligning with key digital programmes such as JENDELA and MyDigital to competitively position Malaysia as a technology hub.” “5G will reinforce TM’s leadership in fixed-mobile converged services for our consumer and MSME segments, strengthening our mobile capabilities to provide the widest and fastest all-in-one solution for fixed broadband, mobile service and digital content that meets today’s digital lifestyles and workstyles,” Imri added. Acknowledging that one of the critical factors in 5G adoption is the willingness of customers to purchase new 5G-enabled devices, Unifi Mobile will also offer bundled 5G service-and-device plans, catering to a range of price points to ensure customer affordability from all backgrounds. With 5G currently covering more than 33% of populated areas throughout Malaysia, this first phase is key to grow TM’s reach and presents the opportunity for a new push in Unifi’s convergence play, riding on its strength of 3 million households and close to 400,000 MSME customers. 5G will also strengthen Unifi’s proposition as a preferred digital partner for MSMEs, to provide complete one-stop services to accelerate their business growth. Additionally, via TM One, its enterprise and Government sector arm, TM recently launched its 5G Sphere, a circle of leading technology and smart solution partners to form an ecosystem that will accelerate the co-creation of 5G innovative use-cases, taking enterprise 5G transformation from ideation to realisation. To date, there are 39 partners in this programme. TM’s nation-building efforts with the Government will also speed-up the availability of smart city, smart industry and 5G-enabled applications, creating a more sustainable and inclusive digital society and economy. Simultaneously, TM continues to modernise the country’s fibre network architecture, integrating automation and virtualisation technologies to boost back-end infrastructures that will support the anticipated demand for 5G services and capabilities. Ahead of this commercial launch, TM took strides to ramp up its 5G capabilities to grow its mobile and fixed-mobile convergence position, having recently appointed a seasoned industry leader, Jasmine Lee, as its Executive Vice President, Mobile and Chief Executive Officer of webe, as well as onboarding senior mobile talents to strengthen its innovation and competitiveness. “As we transform to become a human-centred TechCo, TM’s 5G commitment goes beyond connectivity to enabling our interconnected society reshape the way we live and work. We recognise the value that this next-gen technology will bring to communities, businesses and the Government, and will continue to explore new ways to make 5G and digital progress accessible to all,” Imri concluded.