By Zuraimi AbdullahPublished: 2010/06/29
TIME dotCom Bhd (5031) will focus on increasing market share in the fixed broadband business under the second phase of its transformation plan.
Phase One of the initiative was completed when Time put its house back in order and reversed its losses in 2009, chief executive officer Afzal Abdul Rahim said.
For the next two years, the company wants to expand its fixed broadband offering to retail and corporate users to boost market share, Afzal said.
The fixed line broadband market is estimated at RM2.5 billion to RM3 billion a year, with Time having a less than 5 per cent share.
"We want to grow to something a bit more interesting than under 5 per cent," he told reporters after Time's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The company was looking at chipping away market share in vertical sectors such as wholesale, corporate and government, he added.
Afzal said Time will spend more than RM100 million in capital expenditure this year, particularly on network rehabilitation and coverage expansion.
The data business consisting broadband, Internet and managed services will remain the company's main growth engine.
He said the data business accounted for 60 per cent of Time's revenue in 2009.
Time was back in the black in the year ended December 2009 with a net profit of RM33.1 million on a RM286.8 million turnover.
In 2008, it made a net loss of RM949.63 million on a revenue of RM286.52 million.
The company posted its fourth consecutive quarter of profits in the first quarter to March 2010, with the data business growing 14 per cent year-on-year.
Time plans to introduce its 50Mbps fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity to other areas in the Klang Valley.
It first launched the service dubbed Time Fibre Broadband at Mont Kiara in Kuala Lumpur early this year.
Afzal said Time Fibre Broadband has been well received.
The service, with a monthly fee of RM150, has captured about 2 per cent of the overall broadband subscribers in the area.
Time aimed to increase this to 20 per cent, he added.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/taing/Article/
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Belkin enhances wireless experience on new routers with apps Click on the picture for specifications
Belkin has introduced new Basic, Surf, Share and Play Max 802.11n wireless routers that also feature applications designed to enhance the wireless experience.
The apps enable users to play music, games, and HD videos as well as share photos and print wirelessly from anywhere in their home and each wireless router features different apps.
The apps include:
•Self Healing: Automatically detects and resolves network problems and runs routine maintenance scans to give the clearest wireless channel. Available on Basic, Surf, Share, and Play Max routers.
•Memory Safe: Automatically backs up photos and important files to an external hard drive (sold seperately). Available on Share and Play Max routers.
•Print Genie: Print wirelessly from any computer on the network from anywhere in the home. Available on Share and Play Max routers.
•Music Mover: Play MP3s from a music library on the home stereo wirelessly and connects an external hard drive on which to store music to the router -- and move music from a computer to the stereo through devices like Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Available on Play Max router.
•Music Labeler: Automatically identifies and labels tracks with the correct title, artist, and genre. Available on Play Max router.
•Daily DJ: Get daily personalised playlists from a music library based on your mood. Available on Play Max router.
•Torrent Genie: Downloads large media files like movies, music, and games, even when the computer isn´t on. Available on Play Max router.
•Bit Boost: Prioritises traffic on the network for video, gaming, and VoIP. Available on Play Max router.
Additionally, with advanced Dual-Band N technology, Belkin´s Play Max Routers also provide the best speed and performance. Simultaneous networks eliminate interference and allow optimal performance for media-intensive activities, such as streaming HD movies, gaming online, and downloading large media files.
"People want to do more with their photos, music, and videos throughout their home and across their network. Further, we found that while people had high aspirations for their network and media, unfortunately they were not buying routers capable of giving them the best of those experiences," said Jim Wagner, General Manager at Belkin.
"With that in mind, we created a line of wireless routers based around the activities people want to do most. We made our Surf, Share, and Play Routers powerful enough to give great networking experiences, and we added easy-to-use apps to enable these activities."
The products will be available starting mid July 2010.
Read more: http://mygadgets.my/product.php?id=1023/Article/index_html#ixzz0s9wr0AbV
The apps enable users to play music, games, and HD videos as well as share photos and print wirelessly from anywhere in their home and each wireless router features different apps.
The apps include:
•Self Healing: Automatically detects and resolves network problems and runs routine maintenance scans to give the clearest wireless channel. Available on Basic, Surf, Share, and Play Max routers.
•Memory Safe: Automatically backs up photos and important files to an external hard drive (sold seperately). Available on Share and Play Max routers.
•Print Genie: Print wirelessly from any computer on the network from anywhere in the home. Available on Share and Play Max routers.
•Music Mover: Play MP3s from a music library on the home stereo wirelessly and connects an external hard drive on which to store music to the router -- and move music from a computer to the stereo through devices like Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Available on Play Max router.
•Music Labeler: Automatically identifies and labels tracks with the correct title, artist, and genre. Available on Play Max router.
•Daily DJ: Get daily personalised playlists from a music library based on your mood. Available on Play Max router.
•Torrent Genie: Downloads large media files like movies, music, and games, even when the computer isn´t on. Available on Play Max router.
•Bit Boost: Prioritises traffic on the network for video, gaming, and VoIP. Available on Play Max router.
Additionally, with advanced Dual-Band N technology, Belkin´s Play Max Routers also provide the best speed and performance. Simultaneous networks eliminate interference and allow optimal performance for media-intensive activities, such as streaming HD movies, gaming online, and downloading large media files.
"People want to do more with their photos, music, and videos throughout their home and across their network. Further, we found that while people had high aspirations for their network and media, unfortunately they were not buying routers capable of giving them the best of those experiences," said Jim Wagner, General Manager at Belkin.
"With that in mind, we created a line of wireless routers based around the activities people want to do most. We made our Surf, Share, and Play Routers powerful enough to give great networking experiences, and we added easy-to-use apps to enable these activities."
The products will be available starting mid July 2010.
Read more: http://mygadgets.my/product.php?id=1023/Article/index_html#ixzz0s9wr0AbV
Time dotCom plans RM110m capex
Published: 2010/06/28Share PDF
Time dotCom Bhd (TdC) will spend about RM110 million on capital expenditure (capex) this year, with the bulk of investment for the expansion of its network coverage.
Chief executive officer Afzal Abdul Rahim said the company's focus for this year would be on expanding network coverage in key market segments, offering complete end-to-end communication solutions.
"We very much believe in the fixed-broadband business compared with mobile segment which is nearing saturation," he told reporters after the company's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.
"The growth that we see for the telecommunication industry going forward is the provision of data and Internet broadband services, that is where our focus is," he said.
Consisting of broadband, Internet and managed services, TdC's data business contributed 60 per cent of the company's revenue in 2009 and saw a double-digit growth of 14 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Riding on this growth, Afzal said TdC will edge out the competition by offering innovative data product packages and price plans that emphasised higher bandwidth capacity and service quality to meet the void in the current marketplace.
"We have already rolled out the country's first 50 megabits per second fibre-to-the-home connectivity at Mont Kiara in February this year and it is gaining momentum with an average revenue per user of RM150 per month. The next area will be in Kuala Lumpur city centre around the third quarter this year," he
said.
Afzal said the company was looking at gaining market share in vertical sectors such as wholesale, corporate and government.
The wholesale market segment is a biggest revenue contributor to TdC, with business growing by 29 per cent in 2009 and 39 per cent year-on-year in first quarter this year.
"We have made significant strides in a relatively short period. We now have a healthy balance sheet and more than enough to support our capex. Moving forward, I'm confident that the company is able to grow our market share from 2010 and beyond," he said.
TdC, Malaysia's alternative fixed-line telecommunication solution provider besides Telekom Malaysia Bhd and Maxis Bhd, has about RM175 million in cash to date.
It hosts the country’s most robust fibre-optic network with its 6,000 kilometres of land and submarine cables. -- Bernama
Read more: Time dotCom plans RM110m capex http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100628223545/Article/index_html#ixzz0s9w3MnZ1
Time dotCom Bhd (TdC) will spend about RM110 million on capital expenditure (capex) this year, with the bulk of investment for the expansion of its network coverage.
Chief executive officer Afzal Abdul Rahim said the company's focus for this year would be on expanding network coverage in key market segments, offering complete end-to-end communication solutions.
"We very much believe in the fixed-broadband business compared with mobile segment which is nearing saturation," he told reporters after the company's annual general meeting in Kuala Lumpur today.
"The growth that we see for the telecommunication industry going forward is the provision of data and Internet broadband services, that is where our focus is," he said.
Consisting of broadband, Internet and managed services, TdC's data business contributed 60 per cent of the company's revenue in 2009 and saw a double-digit growth of 14 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.
Riding on this growth, Afzal said TdC will edge out the competition by offering innovative data product packages and price plans that emphasised higher bandwidth capacity and service quality to meet the void in the current marketplace.
"We have already rolled out the country's first 50 megabits per second fibre-to-the-home connectivity at Mont Kiara in February this year and it is gaining momentum with an average revenue per user of RM150 per month. The next area will be in Kuala Lumpur city centre around the third quarter this year," he
said.
Afzal said the company was looking at gaining market share in vertical sectors such as wholesale, corporate and government.
The wholesale market segment is a biggest revenue contributor to TdC, with business growing by 29 per cent in 2009 and 39 per cent year-on-year in first quarter this year.
"We have made significant strides in a relatively short period. We now have a healthy balance sheet and more than enough to support our capex. Moving forward, I'm confident that the company is able to grow our market share from 2010 and beyond," he said.
TdC, Malaysia's alternative fixed-line telecommunication solution provider besides Telekom Malaysia Bhd and Maxis Bhd, has about RM175 million in cash to date.
It hosts the country’s most robust fibre-optic network with its 6,000 kilometres of land and submarine cables. -- Bernama
Read more: Time dotCom plans RM110m capex http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100628223545/Article/index_html#ixzz0s9w3MnZ1
Monday, June 21, 2010
Maxis out to maintain EBITDA margin
Wednesday June 16, 2010
By LEONG HUNG YEE
hungyee@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd is working “very hard” to maintain is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin above the 50% level, according to chief executive officer Sandip Das.
“I can’t forecast (on EBITDA margin). I am, trying very hard,” he said at a briefing yesterday.
For the first quarter ended March 31, Maxis posted a net profit of RM552mil on revenue of RM2.15bil. Its EBITDA margin stood at 50.3% for the period, rising 0.3 percentage points against the preceding quarter.
Das said Maxis was working towards maintaining that by focusing on revenue growth and operating cost, among others.
He said the EBITDA margin was somehow squeezed as the rate for voice call had dropped tremendously but it was also pushing other non-voice revenue such as broadband.
For its first quarter, Maxis’ mobile Internet users grew by some 23% quarter-on-quarter to 6.4 million. Non-voice revenue also contributed higher to the telco’s revenue.
Over the past six months, Maxis’ broadband base had increased over 65%. However, its average revenue per user (ARPU) for broadband was lower due to promotions.
Das said Maxis would invest RM1.4bil this year in capital expenditure (capex) to widen its broadband footprint in Malaysia while improving reliability and operational efficiencies. Last year, Maxis invested RM1.24bil in capex to upgrade and modernise its network.
Das said Maxis would also be increasing its high-speed wireless broadband coverage to 80% from 57% of the population and deploying new capabilities through its information technology transformation.
To a question, Das said Maxis had no problem funding its capex internally. “Our EBITDA was 50.3% in the first quarter and if we continue that, we will have no problem supporting the capex from within.”
On the recent tie-up of its rivals DiGi.Com Bhd and Celcom Axiata Bhd, Das said it was a good move for the industry as it would enable telcos to share some resources and yet develop a new territory together.
“It will help reduce the infrastructure cost,” he said.
Das said Maxis currently shared some 40% of its network towers and welcomes any players to ride on its infrastructure.
On analysts concerns of Maxis’ declining ARPU, Das said: “I don’t think analysts give us enough credit. We are working very hard towards our 50% EBITDA margin. Our benchmark has changed. We’re no longer just a celullar operator. We are an integrated telecommunications company.”
Asked on its second quarter performance, Das said while he cannot provide any forecast, he felt “a happy man”.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/16/business/6478792&sec=business
By LEONG HUNG YEE
hungyee@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd is working “very hard” to maintain is earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin above the 50% level, according to chief executive officer Sandip Das.
“I can’t forecast (on EBITDA margin). I am, trying very hard,” he said at a briefing yesterday.
For the first quarter ended March 31, Maxis posted a net profit of RM552mil on revenue of RM2.15bil. Its EBITDA margin stood at 50.3% for the period, rising 0.3 percentage points against the preceding quarter.
Das said Maxis was working towards maintaining that by focusing on revenue growth and operating cost, among others.
He said the EBITDA margin was somehow squeezed as the rate for voice call had dropped tremendously but it was also pushing other non-voice revenue such as broadband.
For its first quarter, Maxis’ mobile Internet users grew by some 23% quarter-on-quarter to 6.4 million. Non-voice revenue also contributed higher to the telco’s revenue.
Over the past six months, Maxis’ broadband base had increased over 65%. However, its average revenue per user (ARPU) for broadband was lower due to promotions.
Das said Maxis would invest RM1.4bil this year in capital expenditure (capex) to widen its broadband footprint in Malaysia while improving reliability and operational efficiencies. Last year, Maxis invested RM1.24bil in capex to upgrade and modernise its network.
Das said Maxis would also be increasing its high-speed wireless broadband coverage to 80% from 57% of the population and deploying new capabilities through its information technology transformation.
To a question, Das said Maxis had no problem funding its capex internally. “Our EBITDA was 50.3% in the first quarter and if we continue that, we will have no problem supporting the capex from within.”
On the recent tie-up of its rivals DiGi.Com Bhd and Celcom Axiata Bhd, Das said it was a good move for the industry as it would enable telcos to share some resources and yet develop a new territory together.
“It will help reduce the infrastructure cost,” he said.
Das said Maxis currently shared some 40% of its network towers and welcomes any players to ride on its infrastructure.
On analysts concerns of Maxis’ declining ARPU, Das said: “I don’t think analysts give us enough credit. We are working very hard towards our 50% EBITDA margin. Our benchmark has changed. We’re no longer just a celullar operator. We are an integrated telecommunications company.”
Asked on its second quarter performance, Das said while he cannot provide any forecast, he felt “a happy man”.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/16/business/6478792&sec=business
Telco tie-up could lead to more dividends
Saturday June 12, 2010
By RISEN JAYASEELAN
risen@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: While the network and infrastructure collaboration between Celcom Axiata Bhd and DiGi.Com Bhd promises to bring about cost savings for the two companies, it is still early days to know if this will translate into better dividends from both companies, analysts said.
“It’s short-term neutral but potentially long-term positive, depending on the finalisation of the plan, and if and when the third stage will be achieved,” a telecommunications analyst with a foreign research house pointed out.
“Before we reach that stage, it is difficult to assume that there will be significant savings that can translate into better dividends,” he added.
To recap, the two telcos signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday for an active sharing of network and infrastructure, covering operations and maintenance, transmission and site sharing, and radio access network.
ECM Libra said in a research note yesterday that it was positive on the collaboration, subject to the signing of the definitive agreement by year’s end.
“Reducing costs will boost margins and generate bottom-line growth (for Celcom and DiGi), which has tapered off due to the saturating mobile market.
“Also, Celcom and DiGi stand to close the gap with Maxis, which currently commands the highest EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) margins.
“In addition to operational expenditure savings, we believe both parties may benefit from significant capital expenditure savings as well, in terms of 3G rollout,” ECM Libra said.
The research house said this in turn would free up more cashflow for DiGi to sustain its high dividend payouts, as well as for Axiata, which is expected to announce a more concrete dividend policy in the third quarter of 2010 for its maiden dividend payment in FY2011.
But ECM Libra added: “As it is still early days, we make no changes to our earnings forecasts for now, pending the signing of a definitive agreement.”
Meanwhile, RHB Research in a report yesterday reckons that the collaboration would allow Celcom to expand its capacity requirement in city areas at lower cost, given that DiGi tends to have a stronger presence in urban areas.
“Celcom’s network cost has been around 9.6% of revenue since Q4 FY2009, which would suggest that in order to squeeze out further savings, some form of collaboration would be required,” it said.
It is still unclear at this point though as to how Maxis Bhd, the largest mobile operator in Malaysia, will react to the collaboration between its two competitors.
“Going by the trend seen in other developed markets, Maxis may possibly be left out in the cold,” ECM Libra said.
Another analyst pointed out though that Maxis still has the option of joining this collaboration. “Maxis could also embark on other cost-savings measures to ensure it, too, protects its attractive EBITDA margins,” the analyst added.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/12/business/6454387&sec=business
By RISEN JAYASEELAN
risen@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: While the network and infrastructure collaboration between Celcom Axiata Bhd and DiGi.Com Bhd promises to bring about cost savings for the two companies, it is still early days to know if this will translate into better dividends from both companies, analysts said.
“It’s short-term neutral but potentially long-term positive, depending on the finalisation of the plan, and if and when the third stage will be achieved,” a telecommunications analyst with a foreign research house pointed out.
“Before we reach that stage, it is difficult to assume that there will be significant savings that can translate into better dividends,” he added.
To recap, the two telcos signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Thursday for an active sharing of network and infrastructure, covering operations and maintenance, transmission and site sharing, and radio access network.
ECM Libra said in a research note yesterday that it was positive on the collaboration, subject to the signing of the definitive agreement by year’s end.
“Reducing costs will boost margins and generate bottom-line growth (for Celcom and DiGi), which has tapered off due to the saturating mobile market.
“Also, Celcom and DiGi stand to close the gap with Maxis, which currently commands the highest EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) margins.
“In addition to operational expenditure savings, we believe both parties may benefit from significant capital expenditure savings as well, in terms of 3G rollout,” ECM Libra said.
The research house said this in turn would free up more cashflow for DiGi to sustain its high dividend payouts, as well as for Axiata, which is expected to announce a more concrete dividend policy in the third quarter of 2010 for its maiden dividend payment in FY2011.
But ECM Libra added: “As it is still early days, we make no changes to our earnings forecasts for now, pending the signing of a definitive agreement.”
Meanwhile, RHB Research in a report yesterday reckons that the collaboration would allow Celcom to expand its capacity requirement in city areas at lower cost, given that DiGi tends to have a stronger presence in urban areas.
“Celcom’s network cost has been around 9.6% of revenue since Q4 FY2009, which would suggest that in order to squeeze out further savings, some form of collaboration would be required,” it said.
It is still unclear at this point though as to how Maxis Bhd, the largest mobile operator in Malaysia, will react to the collaboration between its two competitors.
“Going by the trend seen in other developed markets, Maxis may possibly be left out in the cold,” ECM Libra said.
Another analyst pointed out though that Maxis still has the option of joining this collaboration. “Maxis could also embark on other cost-savings measures to ensure it, too, protects its attractive EBITDA margins,” the analyst added.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/12/business/6454387&sec=business
Maxis mulls options to raise up to RM4.5b
Thursday June 17, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd is preparing to raise as much as RM4.5bil to upgrade its network and pay back debt, chief financial officer Rossana Rashidi said.
The carrier, controlled by billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan, was in talks with bankers to weigh options that included the company’s first sale of bonds, Rossana said in an interview on Tuesday. Maxis may raise the funds in the next three to six months, she said.
Rossana Rashidi
The company plans to invest RM1.4bil on its mobile phone and broadband networks this year as revenue from voice calls shrinks. Analysts estimate Maxis’s profit will climb to RM2.46bil this year, fuelled by demand for wireless Internet access.
“They need to raise long-term money to be used for capital expenditure and a combination of other things,” said Jeffrey Tan, an analyst at OSK Research Sdn Bhd.
“Perhaps a special dividend is one of them.” OSK has a “neutral” rating on Maxis and a share price estimate of RM5.80.
Maxis closed down one sen to RM5.30 yesterday.
The company would use RM2.5bil of the proceeds to repay a bridging loan and the rest for capital expenditure, Rossana said. Maxis’ initial public offering raised RM11.2bil for the parent in November.
Maxis has a net debt-to-equity ratio of 43%, compared with 17% for Advanced Info Service Pcl of Thailand, 57% for Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co and 124% for Indonesia’s PT Indosat, according to Bloomberg data.
Maxis and its parent, Maxis Communications Bhd, don’t have debt ratings. Binariang GSM Sdn Bhd, which owns a controlling stake in Maxis Communications, is rated AA3 by Rating Agency Malaysia Bhd.
The mobile phone operator was exploring both Islamic and conventional financing, Rossana said. It was also considering whether to use ringgit or dollars, she said.
The company had RM8.32bil in liabilities as at March 31, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Profit is poised to climb 56% to RM2.46bil this year, according to the average of 26 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The company, which has more than 12.6 million subscribers, posted profit of RM552mil last quarter.
Maxis wanted to expand its third-generation network to reach 80% of Malaysia’s population by the year-end, it said in Tuesday’s statement.
“Clearly, there’s a lot of pressure on voice,” chief executive officer Sandip Das said in an interview. “The next revenue is going to come from underserved geography, data and broadband. That’s where the company is investing big time.” — Bloomberg
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/17/business/6483913&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd is preparing to raise as much as RM4.5bil to upgrade its network and pay back debt, chief financial officer Rossana Rashidi said.
The carrier, controlled by billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan, was in talks with bankers to weigh options that included the company’s first sale of bonds, Rossana said in an interview on Tuesday. Maxis may raise the funds in the next three to six months, she said.
Rossana Rashidi
The company plans to invest RM1.4bil on its mobile phone and broadband networks this year as revenue from voice calls shrinks. Analysts estimate Maxis’s profit will climb to RM2.46bil this year, fuelled by demand for wireless Internet access.
“They need to raise long-term money to be used for capital expenditure and a combination of other things,” said Jeffrey Tan, an analyst at OSK Research Sdn Bhd.
“Perhaps a special dividend is one of them.” OSK has a “neutral” rating on Maxis and a share price estimate of RM5.80.
Maxis closed down one sen to RM5.30 yesterday.
The company would use RM2.5bil of the proceeds to repay a bridging loan and the rest for capital expenditure, Rossana said. Maxis’ initial public offering raised RM11.2bil for the parent in November.
Maxis has a net debt-to-equity ratio of 43%, compared with 17% for Advanced Info Service Pcl of Thailand, 57% for Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co and 124% for Indonesia’s PT Indosat, according to Bloomberg data.
Maxis and its parent, Maxis Communications Bhd, don’t have debt ratings. Binariang GSM Sdn Bhd, which owns a controlling stake in Maxis Communications, is rated AA3 by Rating Agency Malaysia Bhd.
The mobile phone operator was exploring both Islamic and conventional financing, Rossana said. It was also considering whether to use ringgit or dollars, she said.
The company had RM8.32bil in liabilities as at March 31, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Profit is poised to climb 56% to RM2.46bil this year, according to the average of 26 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The company, which has more than 12.6 million subscribers, posted profit of RM552mil last quarter.
Maxis wanted to expand its third-generation network to reach 80% of Malaysia’s population by the year-end, it said in Tuesday’s statement.
“Clearly, there’s a lot of pressure on voice,” chief executive officer Sandip Das said in an interview. “The next revenue is going to come from underserved geography, data and broadband. That’s where the company is investing big time.” — Bloomberg
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/17/business/6483913&sec=business
Maxis under dividend pressure
Tuesday June 22, 2010
By LEE KIAN SEONG
lks@thestar.com.my
Group’s India ops facing increasing funding needs
PETALING JAYA: With its major shareholder Maxis Communications Bhd (MCB) facing increasing funding needs for the Indian market, Maxis Bhd is under pressure to declare more dividends, according to analysts.
The unlisted MCB’s Indian unit Aircel Ltd recently won wireless broadband Internet licences in eight circles in India, for which it had to pay US$750mil. This is aside from the US$1.3bil it had to pay for the previous 3G licenses last month.
MCB owns 70% of Maxis as at April 19. To recap, Aircel and other overseas assets of the Maxis group was carved out of Maxis when the latter was relisted on Bursa Malaysia on Nov 18 last year.
AmResearch said: “This puts more strain on Aircel’s cash flow for capital investment in the next five to seven years. This may put pressure on Maxis to pay dividends to MCB to part-finance this new undertaking.” It said Maxis had not commented on special dividends in store this year but this could be the excuse it was looking, adding that Maxis currently had a net debt to equity ratio of 455%.
“Early last week, its management mentioned that it might issue debt up to RM4.5bil this year. This capital management may indicate that Maxis is gearing up to pay dividends,” it said in a statement.
Analysts say rising costs in MCB's India operations, through unit Aircel, may put a strain on Aircel's cashflow.
Another local analyst said Aircel was committed to be a significant player in India, thus a significant investment was needed.
“This will eventually affect Maxis’ profit growth going forward as the major shareholder needs more capital to fund Aircel expansion in India,” he said, adding that this might increase the dividend payout from Maxis.
AmResearch said there was no immediate impact on Axiata Bhd, as its unit Idea did not enter the bidding in India at all.
“However, in the long run, the dynamics of Internet access market might change and put some risk on Idea’s long-term sustainability,” it said. It noted that Axiata’s Idea and DiGi’s sister company Uninor passed the chance to bid.
“Idea is concentrating on 3G licences it already has while Uninor is not vying for Internet subscribers as yet,” it said.
According to AmResearch, the Indian government raised over 385 billion rupees (US$8.2bil) from the broadband service exercise, this after raking in 677 billion rupees (US$14.4bil) from auctioning 3G licences. The Government had offered two slots of bandwidth to offer wireless broadband Internet services in the country’s 22 service areas.
Some established cellular players like Reliance Communication, Vodafone-Essar and Idea Cellular had opted out as they perceived the prices to be unrealistically high. Newcomer Infotel Broadband Services, which is related to Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, bid for and got the only all-India licence across all areas for 128 billion rupees (US$2.74bil).
Another recipient of the licence, Qualcomm, spent US$1bil to buy slots of broadband in metros Delhi and Mumbai and the states of Kerala and Haryana.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/22/business/6516441&sec=business
By LEE KIAN SEONG
lks@thestar.com.my
Group’s India ops facing increasing funding needs
PETALING JAYA: With its major shareholder Maxis Communications Bhd (MCB) facing increasing funding needs for the Indian market, Maxis Bhd is under pressure to declare more dividends, according to analysts.
The unlisted MCB’s Indian unit Aircel Ltd recently won wireless broadband Internet licences in eight circles in India, for which it had to pay US$750mil. This is aside from the US$1.3bil it had to pay for the previous 3G licenses last month.
MCB owns 70% of Maxis as at April 19. To recap, Aircel and other overseas assets of the Maxis group was carved out of Maxis when the latter was relisted on Bursa Malaysia on Nov 18 last year.
AmResearch said: “This puts more strain on Aircel’s cash flow for capital investment in the next five to seven years. This may put pressure on Maxis to pay dividends to MCB to part-finance this new undertaking.” It said Maxis had not commented on special dividends in store this year but this could be the excuse it was looking, adding that Maxis currently had a net debt to equity ratio of 455%.
“Early last week, its management mentioned that it might issue debt up to RM4.5bil this year. This capital management may indicate that Maxis is gearing up to pay dividends,” it said in a statement.
Analysts say rising costs in MCB's India operations, through unit Aircel, may put a strain on Aircel's cashflow.
Another local analyst said Aircel was committed to be a significant player in India, thus a significant investment was needed.
“This will eventually affect Maxis’ profit growth going forward as the major shareholder needs more capital to fund Aircel expansion in India,” he said, adding that this might increase the dividend payout from Maxis.
AmResearch said there was no immediate impact on Axiata Bhd, as its unit Idea did not enter the bidding in India at all.
“However, in the long run, the dynamics of Internet access market might change and put some risk on Idea’s long-term sustainability,” it said. It noted that Axiata’s Idea and DiGi’s sister company Uninor passed the chance to bid.
“Idea is concentrating on 3G licences it already has while Uninor is not vying for Internet subscribers as yet,” it said.
According to AmResearch, the Indian government raised over 385 billion rupees (US$8.2bil) from the broadband service exercise, this after raking in 677 billion rupees (US$14.4bil) from auctioning 3G licences. The Government had offered two slots of bandwidth to offer wireless broadband Internet services in the country’s 22 service areas.
Some established cellular players like Reliance Communication, Vodafone-Essar and Idea Cellular had opted out as they perceived the prices to be unrealistically high. Newcomer Infotel Broadband Services, which is related to Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, bid for and got the only all-India licence across all areas for 128 billion rupees (US$2.74bil).
Another recipient of the licence, Qualcomm, spent US$1bil to buy slots of broadband in metros Delhi and Mumbai and the states of Kerala and Haryana.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/22/business/6516441&sec=business
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Strategy Analytics: Mobile Operators Risk Losing Billions of Euros to Triple and Quad Play
By: Business Wire
24 May 2010
12:13 PM
BOSTON, May 24, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mobile Operators risk losing billions in revenue unless they compete effectively with large fixed-service providers offering Triple or Quad Play. Strategy Analytics Tariff and Revenue Strategies (TRS) service modeled the market and revenue potential for a Mobile Broadband Triple Play (MBTP) service that could compete against this threat, in the report, "How Mobile Broadband Wins Against Quad Play." Operators should consider bundling Mobile Broadband plus Internet Broadband and Home Phone - a service package that 4G networks will soon be able to deliver.
TRM projected responses in six key markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, US - where between one-quarter and one-third of users would consider purchasing the MBTP bundle rather than a full Quad Play solution that included TV at a slightly higher price. On an annual basis the risk exposure could be over 10 billion Euros each in France, Germany and Italy and nearly 70 billion dollars in the US.
Sue Rudd, Director of TRS notes, "Mobile operators can defend themselves with new combinations of Triple Play for Mobile Services like MBTP. The Quad Play threat has become very real." Rudd added, "In March AT&T's fixed business U-verse Triple Play included a mobile voice option. Now AT&T has launched full Quad Play with integrated mobile data.
"Service providers need to understand the optimal mix of price points, features and brand positioning across a wide range of current and potential multi-play service options to develop competitive responses in their markets." added David Kerr, Vice President. "Strategy Analytics provides a tool set that allows operators to evaluate these responses for current and future value propositions." The scenario results are described in a two part report that addresses several key questions: -- Where are the projected annual revenues for bundled multi-play services? -- What services are currently purchased by users who would switch to MBTP? -- Where can MBTP compete successfully with Quad play service bundles? -- Which countries offer the best opportunities for new multi-play service bundles? For a complimentary Executive Summary please click here.
About Strategy Analytics Strategy Analytics, Inc. offers high frequency market intelligence on multimedia, fixed and mobile communications. For more information, please visit http://www.strategyanalytics.com SOURCE: Strategy Analytics, Inc.
CONTACT: Strategy Analytics, Inc. US Contact: Sue Rudd, +1-617-614 0709 srudd@strategyanalytics.com or European Contact: Phil Kendall, +44 (1908) 423620 Pkendall@strategyanalytics.com Copyright Business Wire 2010 -0- KEYWORD: United States
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37317676/
24 May 2010
12:13 PM
BOSTON, May 24, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mobile Operators risk losing billions in revenue unless they compete effectively with large fixed-service providers offering Triple or Quad Play. Strategy Analytics Tariff and Revenue Strategies (TRS) service modeled the market and revenue potential for a Mobile Broadband Triple Play (MBTP) service that could compete against this threat, in the report, "How Mobile Broadband Wins Against Quad Play." Operators should consider bundling Mobile Broadband plus Internet Broadband and Home Phone - a service package that 4G networks will soon be able to deliver.
TRM projected responses in six key markets - France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, US - where between one-quarter and one-third of users would consider purchasing the MBTP bundle rather than a full Quad Play solution that included TV at a slightly higher price. On an annual basis the risk exposure could be over 10 billion Euros each in France, Germany and Italy and nearly 70 billion dollars in the US.
Sue Rudd, Director of TRS notes, "Mobile operators can defend themselves with new combinations of Triple Play for Mobile Services like MBTP. The Quad Play threat has become very real." Rudd added, "In March AT&T's fixed business U-verse Triple Play included a mobile voice option. Now AT&T has launched full Quad Play with integrated mobile data.
"Service providers need to understand the optimal mix of price points, features and brand positioning across a wide range of current and potential multi-play service options to develop competitive responses in their markets." added David Kerr, Vice President. "Strategy Analytics provides a tool set that allows operators to evaluate these responses for current and future value propositions." The scenario results are described in a two part report that addresses several key questions: -- Where are the projected annual revenues for bundled multi-play services? -- What services are currently purchased by users who would switch to MBTP? -- Where can MBTP compete successfully with Quad play service bundles? -- Which countries offer the best opportunities for new multi-play service bundles? For a complimentary Executive Summary please click here.
About Strategy Analytics Strategy Analytics, Inc. offers high frequency market intelligence on multimedia, fixed and mobile communications. For more information, please visit http://www.strategyanalytics.com SOURCE: Strategy Analytics, Inc.
CONTACT: Strategy Analytics, Inc. US Contact: Sue Rudd, +1-617-614 0709 srudd@strategyanalytics.com or European Contact: Phil Kendall, +44 (1908) 423620 Pkendall@strategyanalytics.com Copyright Business Wire 2010 -0- KEYWORD: United States
http://www.cnbc.com/id/37317676/
Thursday, June 17, 2010
YouTube adds online video editing
2010/06/18
WASHINGTON: YouTube users can now edit their own videos online.
The Google-owned video-sharing site added an online editing tool this week that allows YouTube users to combine multiple videos, shorten a video or add soundtracks from songs in the AudioSwap library.
The newly created video can be published to YouTube directly from the editing site.
To edit a video, a user drags a thumbnail of the video they want to edit into an empty timeline. The video can then be trimmed or other videos added to make it longer.
YouTube users can only edit videos they have uploaded themselves and not the videos of other users.
The new video editor is located at youtube.com/testtube. -- AFP
Read more: YouTube adds online video editing http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/YouTubeaddsonlinevideoediting/Article/#ixzz0rAPPKLO2
WASHINGTON: YouTube users can now edit their own videos online.
The Google-owned video-sharing site added an online editing tool this week that allows YouTube users to combine multiple videos, shorten a video or add soundtracks from songs in the AudioSwap library.
The newly created video can be published to YouTube directly from the editing site.
To edit a video, a user drags a thumbnail of the video they want to edit into an empty timeline. The video can then be trimmed or other videos added to make it longer.
YouTube users can only edit videos they have uploaded themselves and not the videos of other users.
The new video editor is located at youtube.com/testtube. -- AFP
Read more: YouTube adds online video editing http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/YouTubeaddsonlinevideoediting/Article/#ixzz0rAPPKLO2
Malaysia, Singapore telcos: Neutral
Published: 2010/06/18
OSK Research Sdn Bhd has largely maintained a "neutral" call on Singaporean and local telecommunications operators (telcos) under its coverage, pending further development on possible lower roaming call rates between both countries.
Both communication ministries in Singapore and Malaysia jointly announced earlier this week a proposal for mobile operators in Malaysia and Singapore to cut voice call charges by 30 per cent and SMS charges by 50 per cent for roaming services between both countries.
The regulators are expected to provide an update on the proposal in the third quarter of the year.
"While lower roaming rates (by the host operator) and call charges (by the principal operator) would be positive for the growing number of inbound and outbound travellers from either countries, we believe the upside from potentially higher usage offsetting lower call revenues will only accrue over the longer term, given that roaming calls are typically inelastic in nature," said the research house.
It added that Singaporean telcos tend to lose more if the new roaming rates and agreements come into force as they have a higher proportion of roaming revenue and roamers on their networks, both inbound and outbound.
OSK estimates that roaming revenue makes up 10-25 per cent of Singaporean telcos' overall mobile revenue and some 8-10 per cent of Malaysian telcos
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jtelco17/Article/
OSK Research Sdn Bhd has largely maintained a "neutral" call on Singaporean and local telecommunications operators (telcos) under its coverage, pending further development on possible lower roaming call rates between both countries.
Both communication ministries in Singapore and Malaysia jointly announced earlier this week a proposal for mobile operators in Malaysia and Singapore to cut voice call charges by 30 per cent and SMS charges by 50 per cent for roaming services between both countries.
The regulators are expected to provide an update on the proposal in the third quarter of the year.
"While lower roaming rates (by the host operator) and call charges (by the principal operator) would be positive for the growing number of inbound and outbound travellers from either countries, we believe the upside from potentially higher usage offsetting lower call revenues will only accrue over the longer term, given that roaming calls are typically inelastic in nature," said the research house.
It added that Singaporean telcos tend to lose more if the new roaming rates and agreements come into force as they have a higher proportion of roaming revenue and roamers on their networks, both inbound and outbound.
OSK estimates that roaming revenue makes up 10-25 per cent of Singaporean telcos' overall mobile revenue and some 8-10 per cent of Malaysian telcos
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jtelco17/Article/
TM to offer latest US television shows
Friday, June 18, 2010, 08.57 AM
By Jeeva ArulampalamPublished: 2010/06/18
The pricing of the video-on-demand, including TV series, will be competitive, says Telekom Malaysia executive vice-president for consumer
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) (4863) hopes to attract consumers to take up its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service by offering them the latest television series from major studios in the US at affordable prices.
While mobile operator Maxis Bhd has announced plans to launch its IPTV service in the third quarter of this year, incumbent operator TM has provided its IPTV service as part of a triple play offering for its high-speed broadband (HSBB) customers since March this year.
TM's IPTV customers in the four existing HSBB locations - Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Bangsar and Taman Tun Dr Ismail - will not be charged for the IPTV channels and video-on-demand (VOD) until the trial period ends this month.
Although TM was unable to disclose the future pricing mechanism for its IPTV service, its executive vice-president for consumer Jeremy Kung said pricing of the VOD will be competitive.
"VOD is not just for the latest movies but also series. We will get the series 24 hours after they have been aired in the US, so this is targeted at those who are downloading series from sites. Downloading will definitely take longer," he told Malaysian reporters earlier this week on the sidelines of the CommunicAsia 2010 in Singapore.
With some 22 channels currently, Kung said TM will add more premium channels and increase is VOD titles.
Exclusive FIFA merchandise only at Giant! Rollover to view!
TM group chief executive officer Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said while Maxis will be a competitor in the retail space, the mobile operator will be a TM customer on the wholesale space for HSBB.
"There must be a balance on infrastructure and content being made available on a wholesale basis. So eventually, the market will have to find that balance. Initially everyone will try to be defensive on what they have, but eventually consumers will have more choice and they will decide," he said.
To help content innovation, Zamzamzairani said TM is working with local content developers.
"What we are doing is offering the back office support to supply that content. We don't guarantee the content but we can help them in terms of distribution and billing," he said.
TM also launched its global ethernet services (GES) on Tuesday to strengthen its leadership position in the industry.
GES is a networking solutions which provides reliable and secured point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and multipoint options connection via extensive global network covering locations such as London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Amsterdam and the US.
The service is designed to deliver high bandwidth capacity and provide flexible and scalable bandwidth ranging from 1Mbps to 1Gbps.
TM Global executive vice-president Mohamad Rozaimy Abdul Rahman said the GES solution would benefit the government and enterprise market as well as the financial and manufacturing industries.
"It allows organisations to connect using TM's multi-service Ethernet access, which is built on our metro optical network, to our global Internet backbone," he said.
Read more: TM to offer latest US television shows http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jtem/Article/#ixzz0rAB0qAa5
By Jeeva ArulampalamPublished: 2010/06/18
The pricing of the video-on-demand, including TV series, will be competitive, says Telekom Malaysia executive vice-president for consumer
Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) (4863) hopes to attract consumers to take up its Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service by offering them the latest television series from major studios in the US at affordable prices.
While mobile operator Maxis Bhd has announced plans to launch its IPTV service in the third quarter of this year, incumbent operator TM has provided its IPTV service as part of a triple play offering for its high-speed broadband (HSBB) customers since March this year.
TM's IPTV customers in the four existing HSBB locations - Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Bangsar and Taman Tun Dr Ismail - will not be charged for the IPTV channels and video-on-demand (VOD) until the trial period ends this month.
Although TM was unable to disclose the future pricing mechanism for its IPTV service, its executive vice-president for consumer Jeremy Kung said pricing of the VOD will be competitive.
"VOD is not just for the latest movies but also series. We will get the series 24 hours after they have been aired in the US, so this is targeted at those who are downloading series from sites. Downloading will definitely take longer," he told Malaysian reporters earlier this week on the sidelines of the CommunicAsia 2010 in Singapore.
With some 22 channels currently, Kung said TM will add more premium channels and increase is VOD titles.
Exclusive FIFA merchandise only at Giant! Rollover to view!
TM group chief executive officer Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa said while Maxis will be a competitor in the retail space, the mobile operator will be a TM customer on the wholesale space for HSBB.
"There must be a balance on infrastructure and content being made available on a wholesale basis. So eventually, the market will have to find that balance. Initially everyone will try to be defensive on what they have, but eventually consumers will have more choice and they will decide," he said.
To help content innovation, Zamzamzairani said TM is working with local content developers.
"What we are doing is offering the back office support to supply that content. We don't guarantee the content but we can help them in terms of distribution and billing," he said.
TM also launched its global ethernet services (GES) on Tuesday to strengthen its leadership position in the industry.
GES is a networking solutions which provides reliable and secured point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and multipoint options connection via extensive global network covering locations such as London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Amsterdam and the US.
The service is designed to deliver high bandwidth capacity and provide flexible and scalable bandwidth ranging from 1Mbps to 1Gbps.
TM Global executive vice-president Mohamad Rozaimy Abdul Rahman said the GES solution would benefit the government and enterprise market as well as the financial and manufacturing industries.
"It allows organisations to connect using TM's multi-service Ethernet access, which is built on our metro optical network, to our global Internet backbone," he said.
Read more: TM to offer latest US television shows http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/jtem/Article/#ixzz0rAB0qAa5
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Maxis terbuka kongsi infrastruktur
Oleh SARAH NADLIN ROHIM
sarah.rohim@utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 15 Jun – Syarikat telekomunikasi Maxis Bhd. (Maxis) tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk berkongsi rangkaiannya dengan syarikat telekomunikasi lain dalam usaha untuk mengurangkan kos infrastrukturnya.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Sandip Das berkata, perkongsian rangkaian bukan sesuatu yang baru dan Maxis sendiri pada masa ini telah berkongsi 40 peratus daripada kerja-kerja rangkaian dengan syarikat yang mempunyai kemudahan sepatutnya.
‘‘Maxis sentiasa berfikiran terbuka untuk berkongsi infrastruktur dengan syarikat telekomunikasi yang berminat, kemungkinan untuk berkongsi dengan pemain baru juga tidak akan ditolak kerana mereka lebih memerlukan infrastruktur tersebut.
‘‘Namun buat masa ini, Maxis tidak membuat sebarang pengumuman mengenainya, tetapi tidak menolak untuk berkongsi. Perkongsian tersebut juga boleh melibatkan kawasan baru yang tidak mempunyai rangkaian dan ini akan menjimatkan kos sekiranya kami berkongsi daripada mempunyai banyak infrastruktur yang sama di kawasan sama,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan Maxis yang pertama di sini hari ini.
Hadir sama, Pengerusi Maxis, Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda, Ketua Pegawai Kewangannya, Rossana Annizah Rashidi dan Ketua Pegawai Operasi Maxis, Jean-Pascale van Overbeke.
Sandip berkata demikian bagi mengulas mengenai langkah Celcom Axiata Bhd. (Celcom) dan pesaingnya DiGi Telecomunication Sdn. Bhd. (DiGi) menjalin kerjasama jangka panjang untuk meningkatkan rangkaian perhubungan telekomunikasi negara.
Celcom dan DiGi mencatat sejarah apabila dua syarikat yang saling bersaing dalam bidang telekomunikasi bersetuju untuk membentuk kerjasama strategik.
Kedua-dua syarikat itu bersetuju untuk berkongsi beberapa bahagian sistem operasi rangkaian telekomunikasi di negara ini.
Dalam perkembangan lain, Maxis turut membayangkan prestasi kewangan yang lebih baik bagi suku kedua berbanding suku pertama.
‘‘Kami juga menyasarkan margin pendapatan sebelum faedah, cukai, penyusutan dan pelunasan (EBITDA) kami adalah lebih baik iaitu melebihi 50 peratus pada masa hadapan. Kami akan bekerja keras untuk mencapainya dan akan memberi fokus kepada pertumbuhan perolehan dan mengurangkan kos operasi,” jelasnya.
Sementara itu, Raja Arshad berkata, Maxis berada di landasan yang betul untuk merealisasikan visi apabila mencatatkan perolehan sebanyak RM8.611 bilion pada 2009.
‘‘2009 juga menyaksikan kami memperuntuk RM1.24 bilion dalam perbelanjaan modal untuk menaik taraf dan memodenkan rangkaian Maxis. Rangkaian 3G kami telah menembusi 50 hingga 57 peratus jumlah penduduk dan kami menyasarkan untuk mencapai sehingga 80 peratus penembusan menjelang akhir tahun ini.
‘‘Kami juga akan melabur sebanyak RM1.4 bilion untuk perbelanjaan modal pada tahun ini dalam usaha meningkatkan kehadiran jalur lebar dan kecekapan operasi,” katanya.
Tambah Sandip, Maxis juga akan memperkenalkan beberapa perkhidmatan baru pada tahun ini antaranya adalah televisyen protokol internet (IPTV).
‘‘Pada suku ketiga ini, Maxis akan melaksanakan pra pelancarannya dan pelanggan dapat mencubanya dan memberi maklum balas sebelum pelancaran sepenuhnya dibuat.
‘‘IPTV bukan sekadar menawarkan seberapa banyak saluran televisyen, tetapi ia terletak kepada protokol internet yang kaya dengan kandungan multimedia dan Maxis sedang membangunkan aspek ini,” katanya.
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0616&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_01.htm
sarah.rohim@utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 15 Jun – Syarikat telekomunikasi Maxis Bhd. (Maxis) tidak menolak kemungkinan untuk berkongsi rangkaiannya dengan syarikat telekomunikasi lain dalam usaha untuk mengurangkan kos infrastrukturnya.
Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Sandip Das berkata, perkongsian rangkaian bukan sesuatu yang baru dan Maxis sendiri pada masa ini telah berkongsi 40 peratus daripada kerja-kerja rangkaian dengan syarikat yang mempunyai kemudahan sepatutnya.
‘‘Maxis sentiasa berfikiran terbuka untuk berkongsi infrastruktur dengan syarikat telekomunikasi yang berminat, kemungkinan untuk berkongsi dengan pemain baru juga tidak akan ditolak kerana mereka lebih memerlukan infrastruktur tersebut.
‘‘Namun buat masa ini, Maxis tidak membuat sebarang pengumuman mengenainya, tetapi tidak menolak untuk berkongsi. Perkongsian tersebut juga boleh melibatkan kawasan baru yang tidak mempunyai rangkaian dan ini akan menjimatkan kos sekiranya kami berkongsi daripada mempunyai banyak infrastruktur yang sama di kawasan sama,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan Maxis yang pertama di sini hari ini.
Hadir sama, Pengerusi Maxis, Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda, Ketua Pegawai Kewangannya, Rossana Annizah Rashidi dan Ketua Pegawai Operasi Maxis, Jean-Pascale van Overbeke.
Sandip berkata demikian bagi mengulas mengenai langkah Celcom Axiata Bhd. (Celcom) dan pesaingnya DiGi Telecomunication Sdn. Bhd. (DiGi) menjalin kerjasama jangka panjang untuk meningkatkan rangkaian perhubungan telekomunikasi negara.
Celcom dan DiGi mencatat sejarah apabila dua syarikat yang saling bersaing dalam bidang telekomunikasi bersetuju untuk membentuk kerjasama strategik.
Kedua-dua syarikat itu bersetuju untuk berkongsi beberapa bahagian sistem operasi rangkaian telekomunikasi di negara ini.
Dalam perkembangan lain, Maxis turut membayangkan prestasi kewangan yang lebih baik bagi suku kedua berbanding suku pertama.
‘‘Kami juga menyasarkan margin pendapatan sebelum faedah, cukai, penyusutan dan pelunasan (EBITDA) kami adalah lebih baik iaitu melebihi 50 peratus pada masa hadapan. Kami akan bekerja keras untuk mencapainya dan akan memberi fokus kepada pertumbuhan perolehan dan mengurangkan kos operasi,” jelasnya.
Sementara itu, Raja Arshad berkata, Maxis berada di landasan yang betul untuk merealisasikan visi apabila mencatatkan perolehan sebanyak RM8.611 bilion pada 2009.
‘‘2009 juga menyaksikan kami memperuntuk RM1.24 bilion dalam perbelanjaan modal untuk menaik taraf dan memodenkan rangkaian Maxis. Rangkaian 3G kami telah menembusi 50 hingga 57 peratus jumlah penduduk dan kami menyasarkan untuk mencapai sehingga 80 peratus penembusan menjelang akhir tahun ini.
‘‘Kami juga akan melabur sebanyak RM1.4 bilion untuk perbelanjaan modal pada tahun ini dalam usaha meningkatkan kehadiran jalur lebar dan kecekapan operasi,” katanya.
Tambah Sandip, Maxis juga akan memperkenalkan beberapa perkhidmatan baru pada tahun ini antaranya adalah televisyen protokol internet (IPTV).
‘‘Pada suku ketiga ini, Maxis akan melaksanakan pra pelancarannya dan pelanggan dapat mencubanya dan memberi maklum balas sebelum pelancaran sepenuhnya dibuat.
‘‘IPTV bukan sekadar menawarkan seberapa banyak saluran televisyen, tetapi ia terletak kepada protokol internet yang kaya dengan kandungan multimedia dan Maxis sedang membangunkan aspek ini,” katanya.
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0616&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_01.htm
Friday, June 11, 2010
Celcom and DiGi to collaborate
Friday June 11, 2010
By B.K. SIDHU
bksidhu@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Two cellular rivals, Celcom Axiata Bhd and DiGi.Com Bhd, are coming together to work on a proposal to share infrastructure that could lead to cost savings and reduce duplication in the areas of network operations, transmission and site sharing for towers and radio access.
This is the first time a collaboration of this scope is being explored by the players in Malaysia and perhaps regionally. Similar tie-ups, although few, are found in other parts of the world. The whole idea to explore a partnership is led by thinning of margins and rising costs especially in the broadband area.
If it eventually takes off it could have a huge impact in the market place, giving the two an edge over its rivals but it could also be anti-competitive for the consumer as these two could fix prices of services to consumers.
Yesterday both parties inked a memorandum of understanding and a definitive agreement is expected to be hammered out before the year is out. The sharing is for existing and future infrastructure but both will not jointly bid for future spectrum.
“Previously we were just sharing the transmission towers but this new arrangement allows us to be more efficient, provides more capacity and wider reach to more consumers,’’ Axiata Group managing director/CEO Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim said. Last night he was named CEO of the Year at the Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Award 2010.
Celcom Axiata CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly exchanging MoU documents with Henrik Clausen (2nd from left). With them are Tan Sri Khalid Ramli (middle), Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim and Sigve Brekke(left).
Telenor head of Asia Pacific and chairman of DiGi Sigve Brekke said he was “bullish over its prospects’’ as it was getting difficult to manage cost, and sharing will bring prices down and make services better for consumers.
All this cost sharing is great for the telcos and could force other players to be on their toes but for consumers, the threat is there that service providers could become monopolistic.
But Jamaludin does not think so. To him “this collaboration will have zero impact to reducing competition; in fact it will lead to more competition.’’
He cited an earlier collaboration between the two that led to 60% of tower sharing and that helped the companies save cost and cut redundancies.
Celcom CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the alliance was at the technical level and not marketing of products and services; hence, operators would have to compete by coming up with better and more innovative products. He said any cost savings would be passed on to the consumers.
“The collaboration in itself starts with the customer and we can promise it will be a tough fight, (competition) will not change, it will be (more intense),’’ added Henrik Clausen, the newly appointed CEO of DiGi.
Axiata has a similar tie-up with Telenor, the parent of DiGi, for their operations in Bangladesh and it’s that new friendship that led Axiata and Telenor group to explore collaboration between DiGi and Celcom.
Also present at the event was Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ramli who hopes to see more collaborative efforts in the sector.
Celcom is also not opposed to working with other parties.
“If (Maxis Communications Bhd) says let’s talk, (we would say) why not, this is an industry effort,’’ Jamaludin said. Axiata is Celcom’s parent.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/11/business/6448138&sec=business
By B.K. SIDHU
bksidhu@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Two cellular rivals, Celcom Axiata Bhd and DiGi.Com Bhd, are coming together to work on a proposal to share infrastructure that could lead to cost savings and reduce duplication in the areas of network operations, transmission and site sharing for towers and radio access.
This is the first time a collaboration of this scope is being explored by the players in Malaysia and perhaps regionally. Similar tie-ups, although few, are found in other parts of the world. The whole idea to explore a partnership is led by thinning of margins and rising costs especially in the broadband area.
If it eventually takes off it could have a huge impact in the market place, giving the two an edge over its rivals but it could also be anti-competitive for the consumer as these two could fix prices of services to consumers.
Yesterday both parties inked a memorandum of understanding and a definitive agreement is expected to be hammered out before the year is out. The sharing is for existing and future infrastructure but both will not jointly bid for future spectrum.
“Previously we were just sharing the transmission towers but this new arrangement allows us to be more efficient, provides more capacity and wider reach to more consumers,’’ Axiata Group managing director/CEO Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim said. Last night he was named CEO of the Year at the Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Award 2010.
Celcom Axiata CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly exchanging MoU documents with Henrik Clausen (2nd from left). With them are Tan Sri Khalid Ramli (middle), Datuk Seri Jamaludin Ibrahim and Sigve Brekke(left).
Telenor head of Asia Pacific and chairman of DiGi Sigve Brekke said he was “bullish over its prospects’’ as it was getting difficult to manage cost, and sharing will bring prices down and make services better for consumers.
All this cost sharing is great for the telcos and could force other players to be on their toes but for consumers, the threat is there that service providers could become monopolistic.
But Jamaludin does not think so. To him “this collaboration will have zero impact to reducing competition; in fact it will lead to more competition.’’
He cited an earlier collaboration between the two that led to 60% of tower sharing and that helped the companies save cost and cut redundancies.
Celcom CEO Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the alliance was at the technical level and not marketing of products and services; hence, operators would have to compete by coming up with better and more innovative products. He said any cost savings would be passed on to the consumers.
“The collaboration in itself starts with the customer and we can promise it will be a tough fight, (competition) will not change, it will be (more intense),’’ added Henrik Clausen, the newly appointed CEO of DiGi.
Axiata has a similar tie-up with Telenor, the parent of DiGi, for their operations in Bangladesh and it’s that new friendship that led Axiata and Telenor group to explore collaboration between DiGi and Celcom.
Also present at the event was Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ramli who hopes to see more collaborative efforts in the sector.
Celcom is also not opposed to working with other parties.
“If (Maxis Communications Bhd) says let’s talk, (we would say) why not, this is an industry effort,’’ Jamaludin said. Axiata is Celcom’s parent.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/11/business/6448138&sec=business
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
TIME dotCom’s Turnaround on Track: Recording its Fourth Consecutive Quarter of Profits
Shah Alam, May 27 2010 – TIME dotCom Berhad (TdC) continued its profit run for the fourth consecutive quarter by recording a profit after tax (PAT) of RM18.8 million for the period ending 31 March 2010. The performance keeps TdC on its course for sustainable long term profits since it embarked on its turnaround initiative in late 2008.
The Group’s PAT came on the back of a 4% or RM2.5 million increase in revenue, when compared on a like–to-like basis (excluding revenue from payphone business disposed in 2009), can be mainly attributed to higher growth in its data businesses. With the wholesale segment being the main driver, TdC’s data revenue chalked a 14% year-on-year improvement.
The Group also saw its profit from operations improve to RM3.0 million against a loss in operations of RM2.8 million in the preceding year’s corresponding quarter. A company-wide push to cut cost in all aspects of its operations as well as management’s degearing efforts also aided in sustaining TdC’s profit trend.
Chief Executive Officer, Afzal Abdul Rahim said, “This marks one more quarter in the black for us. We started the year with network improvements and expansions. These enhancements made on our Cross Peninsular Cable System network have already resulted in a double-digit year-on-year growth in our data business.
“We have also upped the user experience in the broadband game by being the first-to-market fibre to the home connectivity with our signature product, TIME Fibre Broadband. As we progress in our network expansion plans in fibre broadband, we expect to see larger jump in our data business.”
On the Group’s outlook for 2010, TdC hopes to continue its profit streak by focusing on further expansion plans in network coverage and targeting key market segments by rolling out innovative products and services.
To tackle its largest market segments: Wholesale, as well as Corporate and Government, TdC plans to continue enhancements on its Cross Peninsular Cable System (CPCS) network by deploying a more efficient technology such as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) to ensure higher transmission capacity. On the retail front, TdC is on track to rollout TIME Fibre Broadband in high-density metro areas such as KLCC in the upcoming months.
TdC initiated its turnaround late 2008 following a partnership between its main shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Global Transit International (GTI). GTI was chosen following a rigorous selection process by Khazanah and Afzal’s appointment as chief executive came soon after. The new management team has been credited for its efforts to bring TdC back to black for the first time in six years.
END
About TIME dotCom Berhad
TIME dotCom Berhad, Malaysia’s alternative fixed-line telecommunications solutions provider, is a public listed company, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. A pioneer in fibre optics technology, TIME dotCom hosts Malaysia’s most robust fibre optics network with its 6,000km land and submarine cables, providing nationwide coverage connections to businesses, residential and remote areas.
Licensed under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, TIME dotCom's full suite of telecommunication licenses has enabled the TIME dotCom group to operate and offer its services, ranging from voice and data communications to broadband Internet, satellite connectivity, managed services, as well as other IT and communication solutions.
For more information, please visit: http://www.time.com.my/
-End-
http://announcements.bursamalaysia.com/EDMS/edmsweb.nsf/all/21FC62C9027BDE5248257730003319D2/$File/tdc%20press%20release%20Q1-10.pdf
The Group’s PAT came on the back of a 4% or RM2.5 million increase in revenue, when compared on a like–to-like basis (excluding revenue from payphone business disposed in 2009), can be mainly attributed to higher growth in its data businesses. With the wholesale segment being the main driver, TdC’s data revenue chalked a 14% year-on-year improvement.
The Group also saw its profit from operations improve to RM3.0 million against a loss in operations of RM2.8 million in the preceding year’s corresponding quarter. A company-wide push to cut cost in all aspects of its operations as well as management’s degearing efforts also aided in sustaining TdC’s profit trend.
Chief Executive Officer, Afzal Abdul Rahim said, “This marks one more quarter in the black for us. We started the year with network improvements and expansions. These enhancements made on our Cross Peninsular Cable System network have already resulted in a double-digit year-on-year growth in our data business.
“We have also upped the user experience in the broadband game by being the first-to-market fibre to the home connectivity with our signature product, TIME Fibre Broadband. As we progress in our network expansion plans in fibre broadband, we expect to see larger jump in our data business.”
On the Group’s outlook for 2010, TdC hopes to continue its profit streak by focusing on further expansion plans in network coverage and targeting key market segments by rolling out innovative products and services.
To tackle its largest market segments: Wholesale, as well as Corporate and Government, TdC plans to continue enhancements on its Cross Peninsular Cable System (CPCS) network by deploying a more efficient technology such as dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) to ensure higher transmission capacity. On the retail front, TdC is on track to rollout TIME Fibre Broadband in high-density metro areas such as KLCC in the upcoming months.
TdC initiated its turnaround late 2008 following a partnership between its main shareholder, Khazanah Nasional Berhad and Global Transit International (GTI). GTI was chosen following a rigorous selection process by Khazanah and Afzal’s appointment as chief executive came soon after. The new management team has been credited for its efforts to bring TdC back to black for the first time in six years.
END
About TIME dotCom Berhad
TIME dotCom Berhad, Malaysia’s alternative fixed-line telecommunications solutions provider, is a public listed company, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. A pioneer in fibre optics technology, TIME dotCom hosts Malaysia’s most robust fibre optics network with its 6,000km land and submarine cables, providing nationwide coverage connections to businesses, residential and remote areas.
Licensed under the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, TIME dotCom's full suite of telecommunication licenses has enabled the TIME dotCom group to operate and offer its services, ranging from voice and data communications to broadband Internet, satellite connectivity, managed services, as well as other IT and communication solutions.
For more information, please visit: http://www.time.com.my/
-End-
http://announcements.bursamalaysia.com/EDMS/edmsweb.nsf/all/21FC62C9027BDE5248257730003319D2/$File/tdc%20press%20release%20Q1-10.pdf
Monday, June 7, 2010
TM perluas pakej jalur lebar ke Johor
2010/06/07
TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) memperluaskan tawaran ‘Pakej Jalur Lebar TM dengan Komputer 1Malaysia’ yang menawarkan pakej netbook dan jalur lebar kadar murah bagi isi rumah berpendapatan rendah kepada komuniti di Johor.
Tawaran pakej khusus untuk keluarga berpendapatan rendah dengan gabungan netbook dan akses jalur lebar daripada hanya RM38 sebulan bagi tempoh 24 bulan, itu dilancarkan di Pusat Internet Desa di Pagoh, Muar, Johor, semalam. Pelancaran disempurnakan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), Tan Sri Khalid Ramli dan Pengerusi TM, Datuk Dr Halim Shafie. Hadir sama, Ketua Eksekutif Kumpulan TM, Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa.
Pada majlis itu, 20 pelanggan daripada kalangan penduduk sekitar Pagoh menerima netbook masing-masing daripada Halim.
Halim berkata, pakej jalur lebar dan netbook baru dengar kadar mampu dimiliki itu disasarkan untuk meningkat kadar penembusan jalur lebar dan komputer di kalangan rakyat.
Katanya, ia selari dengan agenda nasional meningkatkan kadar penembusan jalur lebar negara ke 50 peratus daripada isi rumah menjelang akhir tahun ini.
“Dengan pilihan gabungan yang mampu dimiliki, TM menjadikan jalur lebar mampu digunakan lebih banyak isi rumah di Malaysia.
“Menerusi pendekatan ini, komuniti pedalaman dan terpencil boleh menggunakan jalur lebar bagi mendapatkan maklumat dan mengakses perkhidmatan di hujung jari mereka,” katanya.
http://www.bharian.com.my/articles/TMperluaspakejjalurlebarkeJohor/Article/
TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) memperluaskan tawaran ‘Pakej Jalur Lebar TM dengan Komputer 1Malaysia’ yang menawarkan pakej netbook dan jalur lebar kadar murah bagi isi rumah berpendapatan rendah kepada komuniti di Johor.
Tawaran pakej khusus untuk keluarga berpendapatan rendah dengan gabungan netbook dan akses jalur lebar daripada hanya RM38 sebulan bagi tempoh 24 bulan, itu dilancarkan di Pusat Internet Desa di Pagoh, Muar, Johor, semalam. Pelancaran disempurnakan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), Tan Sri Khalid Ramli dan Pengerusi TM, Datuk Dr Halim Shafie. Hadir sama, Ketua Eksekutif Kumpulan TM, Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa.
Pada majlis itu, 20 pelanggan daripada kalangan penduduk sekitar Pagoh menerima netbook masing-masing daripada Halim.
Halim berkata, pakej jalur lebar dan netbook baru dengar kadar mampu dimiliki itu disasarkan untuk meningkat kadar penembusan jalur lebar dan komputer di kalangan rakyat.
Katanya, ia selari dengan agenda nasional meningkatkan kadar penembusan jalur lebar negara ke 50 peratus daripada isi rumah menjelang akhir tahun ini.
“Dengan pilihan gabungan yang mampu dimiliki, TM menjadikan jalur lebar mampu digunakan lebih banyak isi rumah di Malaysia.
“Menerusi pendekatan ini, komuniti pedalaman dan terpencil boleh menggunakan jalur lebar bagi mendapatkan maklumat dan mengakses perkhidmatan di hujung jari mereka,” katanya.
http://www.bharian.com.my/articles/TMperluaspakejjalurlebarkeJohor/Article/
Enhancing customer experience a key focus for DiGI
By Goh Thean EuPublished: 2010/06/08
DIGI.COM Bhd (6947), the country's third largest mobile operator, believes the key to growing its market share and revenue is by treating and understanding its customers better.
"Mobile services is becoming a commodity, so the only way we can differentiate ourselves is by giving better customer experience to our customers," said its new chief executive officer Henrik Clausen in a media briefing in Shah Alam yesterday.
DiGi's first quarter net profit grew 1 per cent to RM275 million, while sales grew by 6 per cent to RM1.22 billion. It also added about 200,000 new customers during the quarter.
In comparison, DiGi registered higher revenue growth against market leader Maxis Bhd, which saw sales growing by 1.1 per cent in the first quarter. However, it did not grow as much as Celcom Axiata Bhd's 15 per cent in the same period.
In terms of earnings, DiGi and Maxis posted similar net profit growth, as Maxis' net profit rose by 0.9 per cent, while Celcom grew earnings by 24 per cent.
The company aims to capture one-third of market share over the long term. To do that, it believes it needs to maintain its "challenger mindset".
"We want to win the war every day, we want to do better than our competitors every day," he said.
Clausen said another key for the company's success is to strike the right balance between its price offering for consumers and the cost of investments. The company aims to spend RM700 million on capital expenditure this year.
The company said it is on track to save RM100 million this year, from various aspects of its business, including procurement. For the first three months alone, it has managed to save some RM37 million through various cost-efficiency initiatives.
"In order to be successful in the industry, to be able to compete, we need to be smart in terms of the way we spend our money," he said.
Clausen joined DiGi almost a month ago on May 17. He began his telecommunications career in 2000 when he was appointed the CEO of Cybercity, the second fixed broadband and Internet service provider in Denmark.
In 2005, Telenor acquired Cybercity and Sonofon, and Clausen was appointed CEO to both companies, as well as head of Telenor Denmark Holding.
He believes Ebitda (earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation) will face pressure this year, and expects the margin to decline to 43 per cent from 44.6 per cent currently.
Read more: Enhancing customer experience a key focus for DiGI http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/newceo07/Article/#ixzz0qEz2Y9Iq
DIGI.COM Bhd (6947), the country's third largest mobile operator, believes the key to growing its market share and revenue is by treating and understanding its customers better.
"Mobile services is becoming a commodity, so the only way we can differentiate ourselves is by giving better customer experience to our customers," said its new chief executive officer Henrik Clausen in a media briefing in Shah Alam yesterday.
DiGi's first quarter net profit grew 1 per cent to RM275 million, while sales grew by 6 per cent to RM1.22 billion. It also added about 200,000 new customers during the quarter.
In comparison, DiGi registered higher revenue growth against market leader Maxis Bhd, which saw sales growing by 1.1 per cent in the first quarter. However, it did not grow as much as Celcom Axiata Bhd's 15 per cent in the same period.
In terms of earnings, DiGi and Maxis posted similar net profit growth, as Maxis' net profit rose by 0.9 per cent, while Celcom grew earnings by 24 per cent.
The company aims to capture one-third of market share over the long term. To do that, it believes it needs to maintain its "challenger mindset".
"We want to win the war every day, we want to do better than our competitors every day," he said.
Clausen said another key for the company's success is to strike the right balance between its price offering for consumers and the cost of investments. The company aims to spend RM700 million on capital expenditure this year.
The company said it is on track to save RM100 million this year, from various aspects of its business, including procurement. For the first three months alone, it has managed to save some RM37 million through various cost-efficiency initiatives.
"In order to be successful in the industry, to be able to compete, we need to be smart in terms of the way we spend our money," he said.
Clausen joined DiGi almost a month ago on May 17. He began his telecommunications career in 2000 when he was appointed the CEO of Cybercity, the second fixed broadband and Internet service provider in Denmark.
In 2005, Telenor acquired Cybercity and Sonofon, and Clausen was appointed CEO to both companies, as well as head of Telenor Denmark Holding.
He believes Ebitda (earnings before interest tax, depreciation and amortisation) will face pressure this year, and expects the margin to decline to 43 per cent from 44.6 per cent currently.
Read more: Enhancing customer experience a key focus for DiGI http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/newceo07/Article/#ixzz0qEz2Y9Iq
US' ShoreTel sets foot in Malaysia via partnership
By Lynn Omar
Published: 2010/06/08
SHORETEL Inc, a US-based Internet protocol (IP) business communication company, is setting foot in Malaysia via a partnership with two local companies, ITApps Sdn Bhd and Comegatel Systems Sdn Bhd.
It is targeting Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises in all sectors and expects to generate a revenue of US$3 million (RM9.99 million) within the first year.
"There is a growing number of businesses in Malaysia turning to unified communications (UC) for its efficiency and productivity gains.
"Since people are always on the move and need to have access to their work system, by having this system in place, we can eliminate geographical and physical barriers," ShoreTel worldwide sales senior vice-president Don Girskis told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The system aims to distribute intelligence to all locations and leverage on a company's network to provide a single point of administration.
The company declined to say how much it is investing in Malaysia, but that it is tripling its resources within Asia, specifically in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
"Around the world, an increasing number of organisations are walking away from complexity and inflexibility and turning to IP-based communication solutions which can fit easily into an existing infrastructure. This will save running costs in the long run," said ShoreTel managing director for Asia-Pacific, Vasili Triant.
The company plans to grow distribution channels, accelerate product leadership and increase consideration rates.
International companies that have incorporated ShoreTel's UC system include telecommunications conglomerates Telstra and AT&T Inc.
ShoreTel provides organisations with integrated, voice, video, data and mobile communications on an open, distributed IP architecture within a single UC structure.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/lypcsho-2/Article/
Published: 2010/06/08
SHORETEL Inc, a US-based Internet protocol (IP) business communication company, is setting foot in Malaysia via a partnership with two local companies, ITApps Sdn Bhd and Comegatel Systems Sdn Bhd.
It is targeting Malaysian small- and medium-sized enterprises in all sectors and expects to generate a revenue of US$3 million (RM9.99 million) within the first year.
"There is a growing number of businesses in Malaysia turning to unified communications (UC) for its efficiency and productivity gains.
"Since people are always on the move and need to have access to their work system, by having this system in place, we can eliminate geographical and physical barriers," ShoreTel worldwide sales senior vice-president Don Girskis told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The system aims to distribute intelligence to all locations and leverage on a company's network to provide a single point of administration.
The company declined to say how much it is investing in Malaysia, but that it is tripling its resources within Asia, specifically in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
"Around the world, an increasing number of organisations are walking away from complexity and inflexibility and turning to IP-based communication solutions which can fit easily into an existing infrastructure. This will save running costs in the long run," said ShoreTel managing director for Asia-Pacific, Vasili Triant.
The company plans to grow distribution channels, accelerate product leadership and increase consideration rates.
International companies that have incorporated ShoreTel's UC system include telecommunications conglomerates Telstra and AT&T Inc.
ShoreTel provides organisations with integrated, voice, video, data and mobile communications on an open, distributed IP architecture within a single UC structure.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/lypcsho-2/Article/
CEO: DiGi on track to achieving RM100m savings
Tuesday June 8, 2010
By LEONG HUNG YEE
hungyee@thestar.com.my
SHAH ALAM: DiGi.Com Bhd, which has embarked on a cost-saving initiative to ensure the group is able to withstand challenges in the competitive industry, is on track to achieved RM100mil savings this year.
Newly-appointed chief executive officer Henrik Clausen said the group had managed to save RM37mil in the first quarter and was well on track to achieve its target.
He said the telco was looking at savings from every aspect of its processes, including procurement, maintenance and sourcing.
“We are in an industry where there is a lot of pressure from competition in the market, and to be able to compete, we need to be smart in the way we operate our business,” he said at a briefing yesterday.
Henrik Clausen ... ‘Sabah and Sarawak are part of our aggressive expansion.’
Clausen took over DiGi’s helm effective May 17 from Johan Dennelind.
Going forward, he said DiGi would be expanding further by capitalising on segments they are strong in, such as the youth segment.
He said its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin for 2010 might be pressured due to higher level of handset subsidies.
To a question, Clausen said the guided EBITDA for the year was 43% but aimed to grow its revenue above the industry average.
On its 3G network coverage, he said the group was playing catch up. DiGi’s 3G network currently covers some 30% of populated areas. By year-end the coverage will be about 50%.
Asked what the Government could do to further improve the mobile telecom industry, he said equal access to resources for players was important.
“What the Government and regulators can do is to make access to resources and frequencies on equal and transparent terms.
“It will drive competition and can lower price levels besides driving expansion of network throughout Malaysia,” Clausen said.
On DiGi’s presence in Sabah and Sarawak, he said the telco was doing “pretty well” and intended to expand its network there.
“Sabah and Sarawak are part of our aggressive expansion going forward, comprising voice and data network,” he added.
Recently, DiGi announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary DiGi Tel and Baraka Telecom Sdn Bhd have terminated their mobile virtual network operator agreement.
Clausen said there were “something lined up” but did not provide details. “We’ll announce that when we get closer to that.”
Asked if DiGi would venture into the fixed broadband market, he said: “Never say never. Our focus for the time being is the mobile broadband.”
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/8/business/6421429&sec=business
By LEONG HUNG YEE
hungyee@thestar.com.my
SHAH ALAM: DiGi.Com Bhd, which has embarked on a cost-saving initiative to ensure the group is able to withstand challenges in the competitive industry, is on track to achieved RM100mil savings this year.
Newly-appointed chief executive officer Henrik Clausen said the group had managed to save RM37mil in the first quarter and was well on track to achieve its target.
He said the telco was looking at savings from every aspect of its processes, including procurement, maintenance and sourcing.
“We are in an industry where there is a lot of pressure from competition in the market, and to be able to compete, we need to be smart in the way we operate our business,” he said at a briefing yesterday.
Henrik Clausen ... ‘Sabah and Sarawak are part of our aggressive expansion.’
Clausen took over DiGi’s helm effective May 17 from Johan Dennelind.
Going forward, he said DiGi would be expanding further by capitalising on segments they are strong in, such as the youth segment.
He said its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin for 2010 might be pressured due to higher level of handset subsidies.
To a question, Clausen said the guided EBITDA for the year was 43% but aimed to grow its revenue above the industry average.
On its 3G network coverage, he said the group was playing catch up. DiGi’s 3G network currently covers some 30% of populated areas. By year-end the coverage will be about 50%.
Asked what the Government could do to further improve the mobile telecom industry, he said equal access to resources for players was important.
“What the Government and regulators can do is to make access to resources and frequencies on equal and transparent terms.
“It will drive competition and can lower price levels besides driving expansion of network throughout Malaysia,” Clausen said.
On DiGi’s presence in Sabah and Sarawak, he said the telco was doing “pretty well” and intended to expand its network there.
“Sabah and Sarawak are part of our aggressive expansion going forward, comprising voice and data network,” he added.
Recently, DiGi announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary DiGi Tel and Baraka Telecom Sdn Bhd have terminated their mobile virtual network operator agreement.
Clausen said there were “something lined up” but did not provide details. “We’ll announce that when we get closer to that.”
Asked if DiGi would venture into the fixed broadband market, he said: “Never say never. Our focus for the time being is the mobile broadband.”
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/8/business/6421429&sec=business
Google denies use of private data for mapping
Published: Tuesday June 8, 2010 MYT 7:19:00 AM
HARTFORD, Connecticut: Google representatives say they're working with authorities to address privacy concerns over its mapping service.
Last month, Google acknowledged it had mistakenly collected data over public Wi-Fi networks in more than 30 countries. Authorities fear the collection may violate privacy laws.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal held a news conference Monday urging the search engine company to reveal whether it illegally collected data from state personal and business wireless computer networks for the Street View feature.
In an email to The Associated Press, a Google spokeswoman said its Wi-Fi collection and Street View feature, which provides pictures of neighborhoods, are unrelated.
Police in Germany and Australia already have launched their own investigations into the matter. - AP
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/8/business/20100608072430&sec=business
HARTFORD, Connecticut: Google representatives say they're working with authorities to address privacy concerns over its mapping service.
Last month, Google acknowledged it had mistakenly collected data over public Wi-Fi networks in more than 30 countries. Authorities fear the collection may violate privacy laws.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal held a news conference Monday urging the search engine company to reveal whether it illegally collected data from state personal and business wireless computer networks for the Street View feature.
In an email to The Associated Press, a Google spokeswoman said its Wi-Fi collection and Street View feature, which provides pictures of neighborhoods, are unrelated.
Police in Germany and Australia already have launched their own investigations into the matter. - AP
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/8/business/20100608072430&sec=business
New, better, slimmer, iPhone unveiled
Published: Tuesday June 8, 2010 MYT 7:25:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday June 8, 2010 MYT 9:02:37 AM
SAN FRANCISCO: The next iPhone comes out June 24 and will have a higher-resolution screen, longer battery life and thinner design.
CEO Steve Jobs opened Apple Inc.'s annual conference for software developers Monday by demonstrating the iPhone 4, which will cost US$199 or $299 in the U.S. with a two-year AT&T contract, depending on the capacity.
The iPhone 3GS, which debuted last year, will still be available, for $99.
Some of the mystery surrounding Apple's latest creation had been punctured in April, when the tech blog Gizmodo bought a lost iPhone prototype for $5,000 and posted pictures of the unit.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs smiles with new iPhone at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Monday, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Apple demanded it back, and authorities have been investigating whether a Gizmodo editor broke any laws.
"Stop me if you've already seen this," Jobs said Monday as he started his demo.
The iPhone 4 is sleeker and more advanced than the original iPhone that came out in 2007. Like the iPhone 3GS, it comes in black or white, though it has a more angular look.
Its front and back are covered with glass, and it is rimmed with stainless steel that acts as part of the phone's antenna.
It is about three-eighths of an inch thick; the iPhone 3GS is nearly half an inch.
It can shoot high-definition video, catching up to some other smart phones.
It has a gyroscope in addition to other sensors, to enable more advanced motion-sensing applications, such as games and mapping services.
The display on the iPhone remains 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) diagonally, but Jobs noted that it can show four times as many pixels - the individual colored dots that make up an image - as the previous screen.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs, left, talks to a friend using the new FaceTime program on the iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Monday, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
That makes for a sharper appearance.
One of the most noticeable changes is the iPhone's new camera on the front that can be used for videoconferencing, in addition to a five-megapixel camera and a flash on the back.
For now, the videoconferencing function, FaceTime, works only if both parties to the call have an iPhone 4 and are connected over Wi-Fi rather than a cell phone network.
Jobs indicated that FaceTime will eventually work over cellular networks, saying Apple needs to "work a little bit" with wireless providers to make it "ready for the future."
The battery on the new iPhone will allow up to seven hours of talk time - an improvement over five hours on the last model.
It can handle up to six hours of Web browsing over cellular networks or 10 hours over Wi-Fi.
The new phone will run the latest version of Apple's mobile software, now called iOS4, which Apple unveiled in April to offer such features as the ability to operate more than one program at a time.
Older iPhones and iPod Touch devices will be able to get iOS4 as a free download June 21, though not all features will work on them.
New applications for the device will include a version of the popular game Farmville and one from Netflix that lets people watch streaming video where they left off on their TV.
Apple is trying to tighten the links between the iPhone and its iPad tablet, which came out April 3.
It is releasing a version of its iBooks e-reading application for the iPhone, which means people could buy an e-book from Apple on either device and read it on either one as well.
Michael Gartenberg, a partner at analyst firm Altimeter Group, said the iPhone upgrade puts pressure on smart-phone makers that use Google's Android operating software.
Android, which was first released on a phone in 2008, has been gaining popularity as major phone makers such have Motorola Inc. have relied on the software for iPhone rivals such as the Droid.
"I think Apple knows how to teach people about things they don't yet know they want," he said.
Meanwhile Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs was thwarted Monday in his attempt to show off how clearly the newest iPhone displays Web pages, apparently because too many people were clogging the airwaves at the conference where he was on stage.
Jobs tried three times during his keynote to do a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 4's screen resolution versus its predecessor's.
He was trying to call up The New York Times' Web page, but it wouldn't load because too many devices in the room were operating over Wi-Fi, swamping the frequency.
Jobs switched to backup phones for the demonstration, but he was still stymied.
"Well jeez, I don't like this," Jobs groused.
He abandoned the demo while staffers investigated.
Technological glitches at technology conferences are common, but less so at Apple's carefully choreographed events.
Last month at a demonstration of Google Inc.'s Internet television technology, Google representatives had trouble showing how easy it was supposed to be to switch back and forth between browsing Web content and TV programming.
Google pleaded with attendees to shut off their wireless connections, as did Jobs on Monday. He asked bloggers and other people in the room to turn off their wireless connections and put their computers on the floor.
"I think bloggers have a right to blog, but if we want to see the demos we're going to have to do it," he said.
The demos immediately after that went smoothly.
But a later demo of a video-calling feature that requires a wireless Internet connection was sluggish at times. - AP
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/8/business/20100608072800&sec=business
Updated: Tuesday June 8, 2010 MYT 9:02:37 AM
SAN FRANCISCO: The next iPhone comes out June 24 and will have a higher-resolution screen, longer battery life and thinner design.
CEO Steve Jobs opened Apple Inc.'s annual conference for software developers Monday by demonstrating the iPhone 4, which will cost US$199 or $299 in the U.S. with a two-year AT&T contract, depending on the capacity.
The iPhone 3GS, which debuted last year, will still be available, for $99.
Some of the mystery surrounding Apple's latest creation had been punctured in April, when the tech blog Gizmodo bought a lost iPhone prototype for $5,000 and posted pictures of the unit.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs smiles with new iPhone at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Monday, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Apple demanded it back, and authorities have been investigating whether a Gizmodo editor broke any laws.
"Stop me if you've already seen this," Jobs said Monday as he started his demo.
The iPhone 4 is sleeker and more advanced than the original iPhone that came out in 2007. Like the iPhone 3GS, it comes in black or white, though it has a more angular look.
Its front and back are covered with glass, and it is rimmed with stainless steel that acts as part of the phone's antenna.
It is about three-eighths of an inch thick; the iPhone 3GS is nearly half an inch.
It can shoot high-definition video, catching up to some other smart phones.
It has a gyroscope in addition to other sensors, to enable more advanced motion-sensing applications, such as games and mapping services.
The display on the iPhone remains 3.5 inches (8.9 centimeters) diagonally, but Jobs noted that it can show four times as many pixels - the individual colored dots that make up an image - as the previous screen.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs, left, talks to a friend using the new FaceTime program on the iPhone 4 during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Monday, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
That makes for a sharper appearance.
One of the most noticeable changes is the iPhone's new camera on the front that can be used for videoconferencing, in addition to a five-megapixel camera and a flash on the back.
For now, the videoconferencing function, FaceTime, works only if both parties to the call have an iPhone 4 and are connected over Wi-Fi rather than a cell phone network.
Jobs indicated that FaceTime will eventually work over cellular networks, saying Apple needs to "work a little bit" with wireless providers to make it "ready for the future."
The battery on the new iPhone will allow up to seven hours of talk time - an improvement over five hours on the last model.
It can handle up to six hours of Web browsing over cellular networks or 10 hours over Wi-Fi.
The new phone will run the latest version of Apple's mobile software, now called iOS4, which Apple unveiled in April to offer such features as the ability to operate more than one program at a time.
Older iPhones and iPod Touch devices will be able to get iOS4 as a free download June 21, though not all features will work on them.
New applications for the device will include a version of the popular game Farmville and one from Netflix that lets people watch streaming video where they left off on their TV.
Apple is trying to tighten the links between the iPhone and its iPad tablet, which came out April 3.
It is releasing a version of its iBooks e-reading application for the iPhone, which means people could buy an e-book from Apple on either device and read it on either one as well.
Michael Gartenberg, a partner at analyst firm Altimeter Group, said the iPhone upgrade puts pressure on smart-phone makers that use Google's Android operating software.
Android, which was first released on a phone in 2008, has been gaining popularity as major phone makers such have Motorola Inc. have relied on the software for iPhone rivals such as the Droid.
"I think Apple knows how to teach people about things they don't yet know they want," he said.
Meanwhile Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs was thwarted Monday in his attempt to show off how clearly the newest iPhone displays Web pages, apparently because too many people were clogging the airwaves at the conference where he was on stage.
Jobs tried three times during his keynote to do a side-by-side comparison of the iPhone 4's screen resolution versus its predecessor's.
He was trying to call up The New York Times' Web page, but it wouldn't load because too many devices in the room were operating over Wi-Fi, swamping the frequency.
Jobs switched to backup phones for the demonstration, but he was still stymied.
"Well jeez, I don't like this," Jobs groused.
He abandoned the demo while staffers investigated.
Technological glitches at technology conferences are common, but less so at Apple's carefully choreographed events.
Last month at a demonstration of Google Inc.'s Internet television technology, Google representatives had trouble showing how easy it was supposed to be to switch back and forth between browsing Web content and TV programming.
Google pleaded with attendees to shut off their wireless connections, as did Jobs on Monday. He asked bloggers and other people in the room to turn off their wireless connections and put their computers on the floor.
"I think bloggers have a right to blog, but if we want to see the demos we're going to have to do it," he said.
The demos immediately after that went smoothly.
But a later demo of a video-calling feature that requires a wireless Internet connection was sluggish at times. - AP
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/8/business/20100608072800&sec=business
DiGi on track to save RM100m for 2010
Published: 2010/06/07
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DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd has to-date achieved RM37 million savings across-the-board and is well on track to clinch RM100 million savings for the year.
Its new chief executive officer Henrik Clausen said Digi, the third largest local telco player, was looking at savings from every aspect including maintenance, sourcing, procurement and every other process in the firm.
"We are in an industry where there are lots of pressure from competition inthe market, and to be able to compete, we need to be smart in the way we operateour business," he told a media briefing.
Clausen, who succeeds former CEO Johan Dennilend, was appointed on May 17. Going forward, he said DiGi will be expanding further by capitalising on segments they are strong in, such as the youth segment. -- Bernama
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100607200036/Article/index_html
Read more: DiGi on track to save RM100m for 2010 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100607200036/Article/index_html#ixzz0qAncD4pX
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DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd has to-date achieved RM37 million savings across-the-board and is well on track to clinch RM100 million savings for the year.
Its new chief executive officer Henrik Clausen said Digi, the third largest local telco player, was looking at savings from every aspect including maintenance, sourcing, procurement and every other process in the firm.
"We are in an industry where there are lots of pressure from competition inthe market, and to be able to compete, we need to be smart in the way we operateour business," he told a media briefing.
Clausen, who succeeds former CEO Johan Dennilend, was appointed on May 17. Going forward, he said DiGi will be expanding further by capitalising on segments they are strong in, such as the youth segment. -- Bernama
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100607200036/Article/index_html
Read more: DiGi on track to save RM100m for 2010 http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100607200036/Article/index_html#ixzz0qAncD4pX
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Maxis: Buy, target price RM5.90
Published: 2010/06/04
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ECM Libra Investment Research upgraded its recommendation on Maxis Bhd (6012) following the recent weakness in its share price.
However, it maintained its target price of RM5.90 as it did not upgrade its earnings estimates.
"Maxis' first quarter results were within expectations, as revenue and net profit achieved 24 per cent of our FY10 estimates. Likewise, against consensus estimates, first quarter revenue and net profit met 24 per cent and 22 per cent of FY10 figures respectively," it said.
Maxis added a total of 400,000 new subscribers in the first quarter to 12.69 million subscribers. Most of the net adds came from prepaid (in particular the youth segment) whereby Maxis added 351,000 prepaid subscribers to 9.67 million while postpaid subs base stayed flat at 2.71 million for a second consecutive quarter.
"Management reiterated its focus on quality postpaid subs, and this has been reflected by the noticeable drop in bad debts exposure within their opex (1.4 per cent of revenue in 1QFY10 versus 2.1 per cent in 3QFY09)," it said.
Maxis declared a first interim single-tier tax exempt dividend of 8 sen/share, which represents 108 per cent of first quarter 2010 EPS.
"We have revised our dividend payout assumption to 113 per cent (previously 85 per cent), following management hinting of similar dividends for the remaining three quarters. This implies FY10 DPS of 35 sen or an attractive yield of 6.7 per cent," it said.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/3maxis/Article/index_html
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ECM Libra Investment Research upgraded its recommendation on Maxis Bhd (6012) following the recent weakness in its share price.
However, it maintained its target price of RM5.90 as it did not upgrade its earnings estimates.
"Maxis' first quarter results were within expectations, as revenue and net profit achieved 24 per cent of our FY10 estimates. Likewise, against consensus estimates, first quarter revenue and net profit met 24 per cent and 22 per cent of FY10 figures respectively," it said.
Maxis added a total of 400,000 new subscribers in the first quarter to 12.69 million subscribers. Most of the net adds came from prepaid (in particular the youth segment) whereby Maxis added 351,000 prepaid subscribers to 9.67 million while postpaid subs base stayed flat at 2.71 million for a second consecutive quarter.
"Management reiterated its focus on quality postpaid subs, and this has been reflected by the noticeable drop in bad debts exposure within their opex (1.4 per cent of revenue in 1QFY10 versus 2.1 per cent in 3QFY09)," it said.
Maxis declared a first interim single-tier tax exempt dividend of 8 sen/share, which represents 108 per cent of first quarter 2010 EPS.
"We have revised our dividend payout assumption to 113 per cent (previously 85 per cent), following management hinting of similar dividends for the remaining three quarters. This implies FY10 DPS of 35 sen or an attractive yield of 6.7 per cent," it said.
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/3maxis/Article/index_html
Astro’s takeover offer closed
Friday June 4, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Astro All Asia Networks Plc received a press notice from CIMB Investment Bank on behalf of Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd informing that the conditional take-over offer had closed at 5pm yesterday.
The conditional take-over offer is to acquire all the voting shares of Astro.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, CIMB said the detailed disclosure of the level of acceptances received as at the closing time would be announced today by way of press notice.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6401122&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Astro All Asia Networks Plc received a press notice from CIMB Investment Bank on behalf of Astro Holdings Sdn Bhd informing that the conditional take-over offer had closed at 5pm yesterday.
The conditional take-over offer is to acquire all the voting shares of Astro.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, CIMB said the detailed disclosure of the level of acceptances received as at the closing time would be announced today by way of press notice.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6401122&sec=business
CEO: Pos Malaysia never suffered losses since 1992
Friday June 4, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd says it has never incurred operational losses since its corporatisation in 1992 and has been paying dividends to shareholders every year.
Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Faisal Albar said it was only in 2007 and 2008 that the company had to follow the prescribed accounting FRS129 standard to record an impairment provision from its investment in Transmile Bhd.
The impairment provision was RM141mi in 2007 and RM87mil in 2008.
“During these three years, we continued to register operating profit of RM101mil in 2007 and RM86mil in 2008 although our net position is a loss, dragged down by the provision I mentioned just now.
“But operationally, we still registered a profit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pos Malaysia announced a strategic alliance between PosLaju, the leading Malaysian courier company, with United Parcel Service by jointly launching PosLaju International Premium (PIP) service.
The new international express delivery service, available at all 52 PosLaju outlets in Malaysia, will shorten by half the international transit time for packages and documents to over 215 countries.
“We are committed to meeting our customers’ needs for faster and more reliable service. We are introducing the new PIP service, jointly developed with UPS, as a testimony of that commitment,” Syed Faisal said after the signing ceremony.
He said customers would benefit from UPS’ world-class global service, fully supported by money-back guarantee. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399950&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Pos Malaysia Bhd says it has never incurred operational losses since its corporatisation in 1992 and has been paying dividends to shareholders every year.
Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Faisal Albar said it was only in 2007 and 2008 that the company had to follow the prescribed accounting FRS129 standard to record an impairment provision from its investment in Transmile Bhd.
The impairment provision was RM141mi in 2007 and RM87mil in 2008.
“During these three years, we continued to register operating profit of RM101mil in 2007 and RM86mil in 2008 although our net position is a loss, dragged down by the provision I mentioned just now.
“But operationally, we still registered a profit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pos Malaysia announced a strategic alliance between PosLaju, the leading Malaysian courier company, with United Parcel Service by jointly launching PosLaju International Premium (PIP) service.
The new international express delivery service, available at all 52 PosLaju outlets in Malaysia, will shorten by half the international transit time for packages and documents to over 215 countries.
“We are committed to meeting our customers’ needs for faster and more reliable service. We are introducing the new PIP service, jointly developed with UPS, as a testimony of that commitment,” Syed Faisal said after the signing ceremony.
He said customers would benefit from UPS’ world-class global service, fully supported by money-back guarantee. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399950&sec=business
Facebook CEO says no date in mind for IPO
Friday June 4, 2010
PALOS VERDES: Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg says he has no date in mind to take the Internet social networking company public, and defends changes to the service that have provoked privacy concerns.
The world’s largest social network last week unveiled a set of features to give its nearly half-billion users better control over what data they share with the public.
But Zuckerberg said pushing the boundaries on other aspects of Facebook, such as a new “instant personalisation” feature that automatically shared users’ personal data with websites like Pandora and Yelp, was part of what made Facebook such an innovative company.
“Certainly on a day-to-day basis if we didn’t disrupt things that would be the easiest way to proceed,” Zuckerberg told the All Things Digital conference on Wednesday.
“But we don’t believe that if we did that we’d be doing the best thing for us long term or for the industry,” he continued.
Facebook would continue to make what it believed were the right changes, even if some of them were controversial, he said.
Facebook has grown into one of the world’s largest Internet services and is closely-watched by investors hoping to one day buy public shares in the fast-growing company.
The Palo Alto, California-based company is increasingly challenging more established Internet players like Yahoo Inc and Google Inc for consumers’ online time and for ad dollars.
The 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, was asked if he expected to remain CEO if the company went public. Zuckerberg said he did, adding that he didn’t “think about going public ... much.”
He said he did not have a date in mind for a potential IPO.
Facebook’s backers include Digital Sky Technologies, Microsoft Corp, Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing and venture capital firms Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and Meritech Capital Partners.
The company does not disclose financial data, though analyst estimates for its 2009 revenue range from US$500mill to US$650mil. — Reuters
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399603&sec=business
PALOS VERDES: Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg says he has no date in mind to take the Internet social networking company public, and defends changes to the service that have provoked privacy concerns.
The world’s largest social network last week unveiled a set of features to give its nearly half-billion users better control over what data they share with the public.
But Zuckerberg said pushing the boundaries on other aspects of Facebook, such as a new “instant personalisation” feature that automatically shared users’ personal data with websites like Pandora and Yelp, was part of what made Facebook such an innovative company.
“Certainly on a day-to-day basis if we didn’t disrupt things that would be the easiest way to proceed,” Zuckerberg told the All Things Digital conference on Wednesday.
“But we don’t believe that if we did that we’d be doing the best thing for us long term or for the industry,” he continued.
Facebook would continue to make what it believed were the right changes, even if some of them were controversial, he said.
Facebook has grown into one of the world’s largest Internet services and is closely-watched by investors hoping to one day buy public shares in the fast-growing company.
The Palo Alto, California-based company is increasingly challenging more established Internet players like Yahoo Inc and Google Inc for consumers’ online time and for ad dollars.
The 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm room in 2004, was asked if he expected to remain CEO if the company went public. Zuckerberg said he did, adding that he didn’t “think about going public ... much.”
He said he did not have a date in mind for a potential IPO.
Facebook’s backers include Digital Sky Technologies, Microsoft Corp, Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka Shing and venture capital firms Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and Meritech Capital Partners.
The company does not disclose financial data, though analyst estimates for its 2009 revenue range from US$500mill to US$650mil. — Reuters
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6399603&sec=business
Celcom Axiata to spend RM3bil on capex
Friday June 4, 2010
By LEE KIAN SEONG
lks@thestar.com.my
This is to further improve telecommunication infrastructure
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil from 2010 to 2012 for capital expenditure (capex) to further improve its telecommunication infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the company would spend about RM1bil each year, mainly on information technology and network building.
The company will spend RM870mil on information technology and network related segments this year.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
On its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil, a 24% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly (right) and Chari TVT with Celcom’s Blue Bears after the briefing
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared with the last corresponding period.
“The rise of patami was due to the increase in revenue, subscribers and the implementation of our smart-spend measures,” said chief financial officer Chari TVT at a briefing yesterday.
The company earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the first quarter increased by 16% to RM773mil compared with the same period last year.
Moving forward, Shazalli said the company would continue expanding its coverage and capacity and substantially increase its investment in network infrastructure to meet consumers’ demand.
“Celcom will continue its aggresive marketing strategy and introduce more innovative campaigns to the market with a segmentation-based approach,” he said.
He said the company had planned 500 on-ground events for FIFA World Cup, adding that it planned to spend less than 4% of its quarterly revenue on advertising and promotional activities.
On Celcom’s earnings prospect this year, he said the company aimed for double-digit growth for its patami, driven by efficient spending measures, aggresive campaigns, expansion and product offerings.
Shazalli said the company was aspired to continue its broadband dominance through aggresive broadband offerings and services as well as focus on high-quality customer touch-point experience.
The company retained its leading position in mobile broadband with a total of 635,000 subscribers.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6397439&sec=business
By LEE KIAN SEONG
lks@thestar.com.my
This is to further improve telecommunication infrastructure
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil from 2010 to 2012 for capital expenditure (capex) to further improve its telecommunication infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly said the company would spend about RM1bil each year, mainly on information technology and network building.
The company will spend RM870mil on information technology and network related segments this year.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
On its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil, a 24% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly (right) and Chari TVT with Celcom’s Blue Bears after the briefing
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared with the last corresponding period.
“The rise of patami was due to the increase in revenue, subscribers and the implementation of our smart-spend measures,” said chief financial officer Chari TVT at a briefing yesterday.
The company earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the first quarter increased by 16% to RM773mil compared with the same period last year.
Moving forward, Shazalli said the company would continue expanding its coverage and capacity and substantially increase its investment in network infrastructure to meet consumers’ demand.
“Celcom will continue its aggresive marketing strategy and introduce more innovative campaigns to the market with a segmentation-based approach,” he said.
He said the company had planned 500 on-ground events for FIFA World Cup, adding that it planned to spend less than 4% of its quarterly revenue on advertising and promotional activities.
On Celcom’s earnings prospect this year, he said the company aimed for double-digit growth for its patami, driven by efficient spending measures, aggresive campaigns, expansion and product offerings.
Shazalli said the company was aspired to continue its broadband dominance through aggresive broadband offerings and services as well as focus on high-quality customer touch-point experience.
The company retained its leading position in mobile broadband with a total of 635,000 subscribers.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/4/business/6397439&sec=business
Celcom Axiata to spend RM3bil in capex over next 3 years
Published: Thursday June 3, 2010 MYT 2:42:00 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil over the next three years in capital expenditure (capex) to further strengthen its market position and improve its infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly told reporters Thursday that the firm would spend about RM1bil each year and majority of it would be for information technology and network building.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
For its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil,a 24.2% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared to the last corresponding period.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/20100603144440&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Celcom Axiata Bhd plans to spend RM3bil over the next three years in capital expenditure (capex) to further strengthen its market position and improve its infrastructure.
Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Shazalli Ramly told reporters Thursday that the firm would spend about RM1bil each year and majority of it would be for information technology and network building.
It spent RM780mil capex in 2009.
For its first quarter ended March 31, Celcom posted a profit after tax and minority interest (patami) of RM441mil,a 24.2% increase from RM357mil a year ago.
Its revenue improved 15% to RM1.7bil compared to the last corresponding period.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/20100603144440&sec=business
Maxis offers BlackBerry in white
Thursday June 3, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd yesterday announced the online registration for the first-ever BlackBerry in white at its www.maxis.com.my website.
Chief operating officer Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke said the BlackBerry Bold 9700 white was eagerly awaited by style-conscious customers seeking performance with outstanding looks. “Advanced devices are a crucial part of the integrated services platform that Maxis is currently focused on tailoring to universal as well as individual needs,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 white is available at RM2,459 for Maxis postpaid customers. The product will be available first to customers from Maxis Centres and Maxis partners nationwide this month. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/6392599&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd yesterday announced the online registration for the first-ever BlackBerry in white at its www.maxis.com.my website.
Chief operating officer Jean-Pascal Van Overbeke said the BlackBerry Bold 9700 white was eagerly awaited by style-conscious customers seeking performance with outstanding looks. “Advanced devices are a crucial part of the integrated services platform that Maxis is currently focused on tailoring to universal as well as individual needs,” he said in a statement yesterday.
The BlackBerry Bold 9700 white is available at RM2,459 for Maxis postpaid customers. The product will be available first to customers from Maxis Centres and Maxis partners nationwide this month. — Bernama
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/3/business/6392599&sec=business
Maxis posts Q1 net profit of RM552mil
Tuesday June 1, 2010
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd, which posted a net profit of RM552mil, or 7.40 sen per share, for the three months ended March 31 from a net loss of RM42mil previously, is optimistic about its growth prospect and expects healthy growth in mobile subscriptions and data revenue.
In the notes accompanying its results, Maxis said it would continue to focus on stringent management of costs and working capital to underpin earnings and operating cash flow.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Maxis said its pre-tax profit rose to RM765mil from a net loss of RM17mil a year ago.
Revenue improved to RM2.15bil from RM1.8bil for the period under review, mainly due to higher mobile subscription base.
In a note, Maxis said the comparative numbers “did not represent a like for like” comparison of the operational performance of the group because of the accounting treatment adopted for the business combination by Maxis which was completed on Oct 1, 2009.
“The comparative represent that of Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd’s mobile retail business and its 44% effective equity interest in PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler, the Indonesian mobile operations, as Maxis Mobile Services is the deemed acquirer for the purpose of accounting,” Maxis said, adding that it had provided proforma financial information in the notes accompanying its results.
Maxis’ EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) increased by RM10mil on the back of higher revenue partly offset by higher direct expenses of RM12mil on account of higher device expenses from sales of Blackberrys and iPhones.
The resultant EBITDA margin decreased to 50.3%. For the first quarter, Maxis’ mobile subscriptions grew 1.42 million or 13% contributed by prepaid growth of 1.2 million or 14%, postpaid growth of 56,000 and wireless broadband growth of 162,000, bringing the total mobile subscription base to 12.69 million.
Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for prepaid and wireless broadband dropped by RM5 and RM28 respectively, mainly due to erosion in voice yield as a result of migration to lower priced plans and introduction of lower priced tariff packages and promotional packages offering free 2-month subscription. Monthly postpaid ARPU remains flat during the current quarter. Its blended ARPU dropped RM4 to RM52 in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer Sandip Das said it would continue to fortify its leadership by providing more innovative new products and services to satisfy customer’s needs.
The company will invest RM1.4bil in the Maxis network including increasing its high speed wireless broadband coverage to 80% from 57% of the population and deploying new capabilities through its IT transformation. For the first quarter ended March 31, Maxis declared a first interim dividend of 8 sen per share, which will go ex on June 11 and paid on June 30.
“We are excited about the opportunities ahead and Maxis continues to be well positioned for the future.”
Analysts contacted were mixed on Maxis’ latest financial performance.
An analyst said Maxis’ results were largely within expectation. He said the consolidated subscribers showed an improvement of 3% quarter-on-quarter but its net adds for postpaid subscribers were disappointing.
“It’s flat against the preceding quarter and the ARPU on the other hand still headed south between 5% and 19%,” he added.
Another analyst said Maxis’ results were within his expectations and the telco also managed to maintained its EBITDA margins due to its ongoing cost-control measures. On its dividend, he expected Maxis to at least match the 9 sen per share in dividend declared in the fourth quarter but nevertheless the 8 sen dividend declared was within his expectations.
Last year, Maxis said that it planned to pay more than 75% of its annual profit as dividends.
Analysts consensus estimate of Maxis’ FY2010 net earnings is about RM2.4bil and a dividend per share forecast of 32.5 sen.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/1/business/6376975&sec=business
KUALA LUMPUR: Maxis Bhd, which posted a net profit of RM552mil, or 7.40 sen per share, for the three months ended March 31 from a net loss of RM42mil previously, is optimistic about its growth prospect and expects healthy growth in mobile subscriptions and data revenue.
In the notes accompanying its results, Maxis said it would continue to focus on stringent management of costs and working capital to underpin earnings and operating cash flow.
In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, Maxis said its pre-tax profit rose to RM765mil from a net loss of RM17mil a year ago.
Revenue improved to RM2.15bil from RM1.8bil for the period under review, mainly due to higher mobile subscription base.
In a note, Maxis said the comparative numbers “did not represent a like for like” comparison of the operational performance of the group because of the accounting treatment adopted for the business combination by Maxis which was completed on Oct 1, 2009.
“The comparative represent that of Maxis Mobile Services Sdn Bhd’s mobile retail business and its 44% effective equity interest in PT Natrindo Telepon Seluler, the Indonesian mobile operations, as Maxis Mobile Services is the deemed acquirer for the purpose of accounting,” Maxis said, adding that it had provided proforma financial information in the notes accompanying its results.
Maxis’ EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) increased by RM10mil on the back of higher revenue partly offset by higher direct expenses of RM12mil on account of higher device expenses from sales of Blackberrys and iPhones.
The resultant EBITDA margin decreased to 50.3%. For the first quarter, Maxis’ mobile subscriptions grew 1.42 million or 13% contributed by prepaid growth of 1.2 million or 14%, postpaid growth of 56,000 and wireless broadband growth of 162,000, bringing the total mobile subscription base to 12.69 million.
Monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for prepaid and wireless broadband dropped by RM5 and RM28 respectively, mainly due to erosion in voice yield as a result of migration to lower priced plans and introduction of lower priced tariff packages and promotional packages offering free 2-month subscription. Monthly postpaid ARPU remains flat during the current quarter. Its blended ARPU dropped RM4 to RM52 in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, chief executive officer Sandip Das said it would continue to fortify its leadership by providing more innovative new products and services to satisfy customer’s needs.
The company will invest RM1.4bil in the Maxis network including increasing its high speed wireless broadband coverage to 80% from 57% of the population and deploying new capabilities through its IT transformation. For the first quarter ended March 31, Maxis declared a first interim dividend of 8 sen per share, which will go ex on June 11 and paid on June 30.
“We are excited about the opportunities ahead and Maxis continues to be well positioned for the future.”
Analysts contacted were mixed on Maxis’ latest financial performance.
An analyst said Maxis’ results were largely within expectation. He said the consolidated subscribers showed an improvement of 3% quarter-on-quarter but its net adds for postpaid subscribers were disappointing.
“It’s flat against the preceding quarter and the ARPU on the other hand still headed south between 5% and 19%,” he added.
Another analyst said Maxis’ results were within his expectations and the telco also managed to maintained its EBITDA margins due to its ongoing cost-control measures. On its dividend, he expected Maxis to at least match the 9 sen per share in dividend declared in the fourth quarter but nevertheless the 8 sen dividend declared was within his expectations.
Last year, Maxis said that it planned to pay more than 75% of its annual profit as dividends.
Analysts consensus estimate of Maxis’ FY2010 net earnings is about RM2.4bil and a dividend per share forecast of 32.5 sen.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/6/1/business/6376975&sec=business
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