Telekom Malaysia leads the way

New Straits Times
05-17-2000
Telekom Malaysia leads the way
Edition: 2*

TELEKOM Malaysia is spearheading the development of telecommunications in Malaysia, advancing rapidly towards a world- class, new generation communications company for the new millennium.

This embraces:
* Maintaining its technological lead - In line with the telecommunications and Internet evolution in keeping pace with digital technology and services;

* Developing a vibrant multimedia industry with the rapid onset of convergence as the primary platform for the development of the knowledge economy;

* Focusing on high performance Internet and e-commerce transforming the business landscape of Malaysia and ability to compete effectively on the global level, mandated by the future;

* Providing the enabling infrastructure for Malaysia's development towards the year 2020;

* Commercially and voluntarily restructuring in the quest for growth and innovation and aimed at more aggressive, competitive business strategies; and,

* Becoming globally connected and positioning itself to seize the emerging new opportunities in the restructured world telecommunications industry.

Telekom Malaysia supplies effective and extensive networked distribution.

To cater for a widely diverging new generation client base, its services range from fixed line and cellular telephony to Internet delivered products; from urban broadband multimedia to radio in local loop for rural communities.

Its role has evolved into that of an enabler delivering voice, broadcast, data and a host of affordable multimedia services to home and business users.

With an operating revenue of RM7,833 million, Telekom Malaysia functions in an increasingly competitive and constantly evolving market place.

In 1999 the group continued its policy of investing in upgrading and renewing its network, while rolling out services to the non- urban population.

It remains committed to meeting the needs of what has now become clearly differentiated market segments from Government and major international business to small enterprises and the domestic consumer.

Network infrastructure is ultimately the company's greatest strength and an enabler of new business.

It now boasts more than 155,000 kilometres of fibre optic in the national long distance network and the national digital microwave network.

An enhancement programme is ongoing to deliver broad-based services to a seamless integrated network.

Telekom Malaysia has also broadened its market base by investing in new business in Malaysia and abroad.

While the group's strength is in fixed lines, new growth segments have been identified as cellular telephony, Internet and data services all of which is out-pacing basic telephony.

The mobile sector is poised for tremendous growth.

The group has expanded its cellular offering in line with the local demand for mobile voice and data services.

Telekom Malaysia services 60 per cent to 70 per cent of Malaysia's Internet penetration.

Equal access meanwhile is designed to promote transparent progrowth strategy and greater competition.

It has consolidated its overseas investment of which the higher contribution comes from Africa and specifically South Africa.

The global infrastructure to cater for the new services is a current priority.

An extensive fibre optic submarine cable system, spanning Europe to Japan via the Middle East involves 39 cable landing points including Penang and Mersing.

Another fibre connection will be completed by the third quarter of 2001 linking Penang and Capetown - part of an ambitious overall plan for end to end global connectivity.

The group is engaged in an on-going research and development to provide strategic supply flexibility and interconnectivity with other national and international networks.

Long term, the Research & Development Department intends to undertake applied and pure research.

University Telekom (Unitele), Malaysia's first private university, opened in 1997 with the objective of providing a knowledge workforce specifically trained for Malaysia's IT, multimedia and telecommunications industry.

The Cyberjaya campus now has 5,700 full-time students engaged in pre- university, undergraduate, master's and doctorate programmes.

With a staff strength of 25,442 Telekom Malaysia is fully committed to human resource development - knowledge renewal, empowerment and competency building for the more stringent requirements of the new generation telecommunications industry.

The new era will be driven by the Multimedia Super Corridor and the Communications and MultiMedia Act 1998.

The MSC is a catalyst for the growth of a new Information Age.

Telekom Malaysia is the provider of services within the MSC and the Corporate Information Superhighway (COINS) forms the telecommunications foundation of the MSC.

The company is now expanding the use of its own Internet-based and broadband communications among business users, and developing many innovative new products including an e-commerce portfolio.

The introduction of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and the setting up of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission heralds a new regulatory environment for the industry, providing a more modern and flexible structure which encourages the further development of this fast growing market.

Of all Telekom Malaysia's products and services, basic telephony still contributes the major portion of its revenue.

With a customer base of more than 4.4 million the company remains committed to increasing market penetration of the telephone.

Simultaneously the group is proactively and energetically expanding its reach into new business areas such as Internet delivered services, recognising that its new advanced technology based functions are beginning to reshape the way we work, relax, communicate and creatively grow our businesses.

Telekom Malaysia has introduced new packages called TMISDN 2000 PROMO to make the Integrated Services Digital Network or ISDN services more affordable for its customers.

Beginning May 1, ISDN TMHomelink home users including schools and institutions of higher learning will see a reduction in the monthly rental by RM10 from RM43.

ISDN TMBusinesslink users will also enjoy the same reduction thus reducing the monthly rental from RM73 to RM63.

Deposit for the business customer under the TMBusinesslink will also be reduced from RM400 to RM200.

For the TMISDN 2000 PROMO packages, other incentives will be offered including the waiver of the installation fees for both TMBusinesslink and TMhomelink.

Qualified customers will also be given RM100 vouchers by Telekom Malaysia which is redeemable for ISDN equipment purchased from participating vendors.

TM ISDN is a cost-effective dialup solution that supports multiple applications such as Internet access, videoconferencing, remote access and call centres.

With TM ISDN, more than one terminal can be connected to a single line as compared to the conventional telephone service which requires multiple lines for multiple terminal.

TMISDN 2000 PROMO also offers incentives for TMnet analogue customers opting for TMnet ISDN.

For new customers, they can expect many goodies as well - including free registration and exempted from subscription fee for the first year.

Subscribers will be given up to a maximum 200 hours free access fee to be utilised over the first three months.

Meanwhile the TM OnePlan is a discount plan that provides customers with real savings on the phone calls they make.

It is the one and only discount plan that allows customers to save up to 20 per cent on calls made to all mobile phone numbers registered in Malaysia, all national calls including those within the same area code for distances of less that 50 kilometres and all International Direct Dialing calls.

With TM OnePlan, you can maximise your savings by charging all your IDD and national calls into one bill.

For further information, contact the Corporate Communications Department, Telekom Malaysia, 1st Floor, Wisma Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Jalan Pantai Baharu, 50672 Kuala Lumpur, or call 03-2082314, fax 03- 7574747 or visit www.telekom.com.my.

Illustrations/Photos:
Caption: Reaching out ... Telekom Malaysia continues to adopt new
technologies.; Pulse of the nation ... Telekom Malaysia is the sole
provider of the MSC telecommunications infrastructure.;
Telecommunications needs ... Telekom Malaysia has the answers.

(Copyright 2000)