Celcom and TM seal collaborative deal on Phase 2 for TM next-gen backhaul services

The move is in adherence to the requirement by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for service providers in the country to have a robust backhaul network for LTE rollout and fiberised, within a two-year timeline.  

TM NGBH service is indeed an effective way of increasing Celcom’s coverage and ramping up its capacity in a shorter time due to TM’s existing capacity and fibre coverage. This signifies TM’s strength in rolling out mobile backhaul in an effective, efficient manner ensuring resource efficiency, as Celcom could focus on their core business while outsourcing the backhaul planning and deployment to TM.  

By leasing wholesale bandwidth services and leveraging on TM’s strength on its nationwide fibre coverage and resilient network platform for access and aggregation fibre network from TM, Celcom will be able to obtain quick access to fibre infrastructure to support its future network capacity demands, to deliver affordable and high-quality internet connectivity to more Malaysians.  

The agreement was signed by Chief Executive Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad, Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, and Group Chief Executive Officer of TM, Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa. Also present at the event were Mohamad Rozaimy Abd. Rahman, Executive Vice President of Global & Wholesale, TM and Ramanathan Sathiamutty, Chief Technology, Operations and Experience Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad. 

Dato’ Sri Shazalli Ramly, Chief Executive Officer, Celcom Axiata Berhad said that the collaboration was yet another momentous milestone for Celcom as it showcased the industry’s alliance, and it was in line with national objectives whilst taking a step closer towards achieving excellence in customer experience.  

“The demand for high speed and quality internet services has accelerated in the country. Malaysians have become technologically astute and require access to always-on, high-speed data connectivity to cater to their increasing needs. With this leasing opportunity for access and aggregation of fiber network from TM, Celcom will be able to obtain quick access to fiber infrastructure to support our future network capacity demands, in order to deliver affordable and high-quality internet connectivity to more Malaysians.  

“We remain committed to enhancing our network excellence aside from expanding and accelerating our LTE of network development nationwide, to sustain superior quality network, and this will stimulate heightened internet experience for our customers. The agreement represents one of many key investments into network quality that Celcom is currently implementing.  

“Celcom’s journey to be “the best in the class of customer experience” has evolved from tackling the basics to differentiating our services and we are geared for robust growth,” he added after the signing ceremony here today. 

Tan Sri Zamzamzairani thanked Celcom for the trust and confidence in choosing TM as the supplier of choice to provide TM Next-Gen Backhaul™ services and supporting Celcom’s LTE deployment in the country.  

“This is definitely in line with TM’s aspiration of being the partner of choice for our customers’ end-to-end connectivity and ICT requirements. This collaboration is an achievement in itself as it represents another step forward in enabling TM to provision additional LTE sites for Celcom in Peninsular Malaysia, in the wake of our earlier collaboration in 2013. 

“The signing of this agreement re-iterates TM’s commitment in providing an open access for all MCMC-licensed service providers – allowing these operators to provide and deliver value-added services to their end-users hence further strengthening TM’s position as a neutral service provider and as an Information Exchange.

At TM, we believe in working together, cooperating with other service providers and complementing each other in bringing the nation closer to achieving the National Broadband Initiative, in line with the Government’s aspiration to increase the household broadband penetration to 75% by 2015. We look forward to be part of this accelerated journey in enabling an enhanced integrated digital society, and will continue to boost our efforts via such collaborative deal to digitalise businesses of all scales / sizes, in line with our promise of ‘Life and Business Made Easier’,” Tan Sri Zamzamzairani concluded. 

The sealing of the deal signifies Celcom’s commitment to stay ahead of competition and up-to-date with the ongoing demands and needs of the ever-evolving industry, while delivering considerable upgrades as part of its network excellence objective to offer high bandwidth to its customers.  

Moreover, Celcom will be able to apply and accommodate higher degrees of flexibility and scalability, and facilitate finer quality customer experience as customers’ gain access to high-bandwidth digital content, or run real-time applications on their mobile devices, with the availability of better connection to backhaul network. 

Following this partnership, Celcom subscribers will be able to enjoy seamless and quality services via their mobile devices everywhere and anywhere, as it paves way for nationwide fiber coverage and will greatly improve the resiliency of the network. 

This collaboration between TM and Celcom is in line with the Government’s call for greater industry partnerships and at the same time promoting healthy competition among the telco players as service providers will be focusing on delivering improved customer experience and better value offerings, which ultimately will benefit Malaysian consumers as a whole.  

For more information on Celcom, visit www.celcom.com.my. For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my.  

About Celcom Axiata Berhad
Celcom is the country’s first and foremost mobile telecommunications provider with almost 14 million customers. Established in 1988, it boasts the widest national 2G and 3G networks, covering over 98% of the population. Currently the largest mobile broadband and corporate services provider, Celcom is now moving towards integrated multiaccess and multimedia services, in line with evolving technologies and consumer behaviour in Malaysia. A culture that places the customer first is reflected in our awardwinning customer service, products, and other corporate accolades at a regional level. Celcom is part of the Axiata Group of Companies, one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, with more than 180 million customers across 10 Asian markets. For more information on Celcom, log on to http://www.celcom.com.my. 

About TM
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Malaysia’s broadband champion and leading integrated information and communications group, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in broadband, data and fixed-line. As a market leader, TM is driven by stakeholder value creation in a highly competitive environment. The Group places emphasis on delivering an enhanced customer experience via continuous customer service quality improvements and innovations, whilst focusing on increased operational efficiency and productivity. 

Leveraging on our extensive global connectivity, network infrastructure and collective expertise, TM is well positioned to propel Malaysia as a regional Internet hub and digital gateway for South-East Asia. TM remains steadfast in its transformation into a new generation communications provider to deliver an enhanced and integrated digital lifestyle to all Malaysians, and opening up possibilities through connection, communication and collaboration, towards our shared vision of elevating the nation into a high-income economy. 

As a model corporate citizen committed to good governance and transparency, TM continues its pledge to ensure the integrity of our processes, people and reputation as well as the sustainability of our operations. Our Corporate Responsibility (CR) ethos reinforces responsible behavior in the four main domains of the marketplace, workplace, the community and the environment. With a focus on ICT, the Group further promotes 3 major platforms i.e. education, community/nation-building and environment, through our Reaching Out programmes.  

TM is also a multiple corporate awards winner, having been recognised consistently for our high standards in Corporate Governance and Corporate Responsibility. TM has most recently been honoured with the Platinum Award for the Overall Excellence Award for Most Outstanding Annual Report of the Year for National Annual Corporate Report Awards (NACRA) in 2014, as well as in 2013, 2011 and 2006, and the Industry Excellence Award for Main Board Companies under the Trade & Service category for the 18th consecutive year. In addition, TM has been awarded the NACRA 2014 Platinum Award for Best Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting, and the Anugerah CSR Perdana Menteri for Best Workplace Practices in 2009 and 2010. TM is also the winner of the Best Sustainability Report Award (SRA) in Malaysia for 2 consecutive years at the 2013 Sustainability Reporting Awards organised by The National Centre for Sustainability Reporting (NCSR) based in Indonesia. TM was named Telecom Service Provider of the Year for the 4th time at the 2015 Frost & Sullivan Malaysia Excellence Awards as well as the inaugural Fixed Broadband Service Provider of the Year award and the Data Communications Service Provider of the Year for the 11th consecutive year. 

On the regional front, TM was also recognised as the Fixed Broadband Provider of the Year award at 2013 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards again for the 2nd year running. TM was also awarded the Asia Pacific’s Best Wholesale Ethernet Service Provider for two consecutive years in 2011 and 2012 by Metro Ethernet Forum for its commitment in keeping pace with global Ethernet standards. Additionally, the Company was also accorded the Best Broadband Carrier award in the 2012 Telecom Asia Awards.  

For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my.