Malaysia’s fixed line incumbent Telekom Malaysia™ has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with former subsidiary and the country’s second largest mobile network operator by subscribers Celcom Axiata, under which the two companies will collaborate in providing fixed and mobile solutions for Malaysian consumers. According to Bernama, citing TM group CEO Datuk Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, the agreement covers a number of areas, including High Speed Broadband (HSBB) services, with the executive stating: ‘It also covers wholesale internet access, digital subscriber line (DSL) access, fibre network system and mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services.’ As part of the deal TM will reportedly undertake ‘the fiberisation of all main sites and network aggregation points’ for Celcom as part of a ten-year fibre network system lease arrangement, while in return it will gain access to Celcom’s network with a view to offering its own-branded mobile voice and data services to complement its existing fixed line offerings. Celcom’s CEO Datuk Seri Mohamed Shazalli Ramly said the HSBB service collaboration meanwhile will allow the cellco to provide its own fibre-based broadband service.
In separate but related news, Malaysia’s Star Online reports that TM is aiming to boost the number of premises which have access to its HSBB service, which is offered under the Uni-Fi banner, in Iskandar, the main southern development corridor in the state of Johor. TM’s general manager Mohd Roslan Mohd Rashidi has said that the telco expects to see around 45,000 commercial and residential premises connected to HSBB services by the end of 2011, up from the 4,500 currently connected. Five new zones are being targeted for coverage, with those being: Johor Baru Central, Pelangi, Pasir Gudang, Skudai and Tampoi.