Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Southeast Asia’s second-largest
telecommunications company, continued its stellar performance in international
revenue growth by recording a 17.3% increase in the nine months ended September
2007, rising to RM3.52 billion (USD1 = RM3.36) from RM3 billion during the same
period last year. Setting aside the effects of the stronger Ringgit which
eroded the translated numbers by 7 percent, the underlying growth pattern
remains healthy.
The increase in revenue was realized on the back of a regional mobile
subscriber base of 35.7 million as at end-September 2007, up 34.7% from 26.5
million the same period a year earlier. The company’s subsidiaries in Indonesia
(PT Excelcomindo Pratama), Bangladesh (TM International Bangladesh Limited) and
Sri Lanka (Dialog Telekom PLC) led the subscriber growth, standing at 12.8
million, 7.0 million and 4.0 million, respectively.
TM’s international investments contributed 26.9% to TM group’s total revenue of
RM13.1 billion in the nine-months ended September 2007, an increase from 25%
the same period a year ago.
``With a strong presence in nine Asian countries, our international operations
continue to sustain growth despite intense competition in all markets
particularly Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Bangladesh,’’ said Dato’ Yusof Annuar
Yaacob, Chief Executive Officer of TM International Sdn Bhd, TM’s international
investment arm. ``Total international capital expenditure in the nine months
ended September 2007 stood at RM2.66 billion, an increase of 83% compared to
the same period last year. The growth was driven by aggressive network
expansion in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, with a surge of 173% to RM398 million and
a rise of 93% to RM1.77 billion, respectively. ’’
Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, TM’s Asian mobile operations include
stakes in Indonesia’s PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk (67.02 percent), Bangladesh’s
TM International (Bangladesh) Limited (70 percent), Sri Lanka’s Dialog Telekom
Plc (84.83 percent), India’s Spice Communications Limited (39.2 percent),
Singapore’s MobileOne Ltd (29.7 percent through SunShare Investments Ltd),
Cambodia’s Telekom Malaysia International (Cambodia) Company Limited (100
percent) and Iran’s Mobile Telecommunications Company of Esfahan (49 percent).
It has non-mobile operations in Pakistan’s Multinet Pakistan (Private) Limited
(89 percent), Thailand’s Samart I-Mobile Public Company Limited (24.42 percent)
and Samart Corporation Public Company Limited (18.97 percent).
Among key developments of TM’s international investments in the third quarter
of 2007 was Dialog’s signing of the US$ 70 million term loan facility and US$
30 million equity commitment from the International Finance Corp, a member of
the World Bank Group in September. The loan facility will enable Dialog to
improve public access to affordable and reliable telecommunication services by
increasing capacity and extending coverage, particularly in rural and under
served areas. The funding package will aid Dialog’s emergence as the first
quadruple play operator in South Asia, with operations in cellular, broadband,
satellite television and fixed wireless.
Commenting further on strategies going forward, Dato’ Yusof said TM
International, ``will be sharing best practice and enhancing synergies among
subsidiaries, aggressively managing cost to improve margins and operational
efficiency and selectively seeking new opportunities to expand regional
footprint, with particular focus on Indochina.’’
About Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM)
TM, the emerging leader in Asian communications, offers a comprehensive range
of communication services and solutions in fixed-line, mobile, data and
broadband. As one of the largest listed companies in Malaysia with a market
capitalisation of RM37.15 billion (USD11.05 billion), TM delivers value to its
stakeholders in a highly competitive home environment.
The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements
and innovations. Currently, with investments and operations in 13 countries
around Asia and globally, TM is focused on achieving sustainable growth in both
the local and international markets.
TM has interests in nine key markets within Asia – Indonesia, Singapore,
Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Iran, managed by
its international investments holding arm TM International. TM has an
impeccable track record of adding value to its investments, working closely
with its subsidiaries to achieve strong market positions and profitability.
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