TM targets 60,000 UniFi users by end of this year

By Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi
Published: 2010/07/03




TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) (4863) expects to secure up to 60,000 subscribers for its high speed broadband (HSBB) service, or better known as UniFi, by the end of this year.



"We understand that UniFi will not be delivering big numbers this year, but the numbers are increasing. We aim for 6-8 per cent of the total premises of 750,000 to account for our customers," said HSBB programme director Ahmad Azhar Yahya.



Speaking to the media after the launching of its new areas in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Azhar said it will be a gradual increase as UniFi is still new to Malaysians and limited to selected areas.



TM, which will launch a customer online portal soon to draw more subscribers, currently has some 4,700 residential and business UniFi customers.

"Therefore, we are now expanding to an additional 18 areas nationwide, including Nothern and Southern parts of Malaysia starting July 1," said Ahmad Azhar.



The 18 new areas include industrial sites such as Kulim Hi-Tech in Kedah, Bayan Baru in Penang, Senai and Permas in Johor as well as more areas in Klang Valley.



In March 2010, TM launched UniFi in Bangsar, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.



The rollout now covers more than 375,000 premises. UniFi is expected to reach 750,000 premises by the end of the year and 1.3 million premises by 2012.



Ahmad Azhar also said that TM plans to spend RM2 billion on its capital expenditure (capex) for its current financial year for UniFi's rollout.



TM's total expenditure for its HSBB project as at April 30 2010 has reached RM2.3 billion.

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/tmunifi02/Article/