KUALA LUMPUR – Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is in final negotiations with Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) as it moves towards rolling out the 5G network nationwide.
TM managing director and group chief executive officer Imri Mokhtar said arrangements to finalise the equity agreement and wholesale agreement with DNB are on track, and the company is working to meet the deadline of August 31 set by the Finance Ministry.
“As a preferred partner of DNB, we (TM) expect that the fibre-leasing services we provide to roll out 5G network towers will pick up rapidly in the second half (H2) of this year, better than in H1.
“We have also written to DNB about our interest in registering as a shareholder, and the process is still ongoing,” he said in a media briefing following TM’s second quarter (Q2) 2022 financial results announcement.
Although no tentative time was given as to when the 5G network service would be launched, as it needs to ensure all the necessary agreements are sealed, Imri said TM is continuously testing the 5G service, not just in its network, but also with smaller groups of customers.
Elaborating on the usage of 5G devices, he said this would depend on the device’s system.
“As more and more devices are coming into the market that support 5G, it would very much be dependent on that system, which will not only apply to TM, but for the rest of the industry as well.
“We don’t see 5G as a mobile service, but part of our convergence’s proposition. We will continue to support the hyperconnectivity lifestyle, whether it is for 4G or 5G,” he said.
Meanwhile, Imri said that TM may revise its 2022 market guidance after the release of its Q3 results this year.
This came as revenue growth improved at 7.3% in Q2 2022 compared with 6.4% for the financial year 2021.
Its 2022 market guidance for revenue growth outlined a low to mid-single digit growth.
“Looking at the momentum, we will be providing new market guidance if necessary. But this will be later (after Q3), when TM’s revenue growth comes not just from unifi but also TM One, TM Wholesale, and Credence, the company recently launched to drive our corporate customers in digital capabilities and skills,” he said. – Bernama, August 25, 2022
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