Telekom Malaysia™ has revealed that it has surpassed the 200,000 subscriber target it had previously set for end-2011 for ‘UniFi’ services offered via its high speed broadband (HSBB) network, according to The Star Online. TM group CEO Datuk Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa was cited as saying that the company was happy to have achieved its target ahead of schedule, having attracted more than 200,000 in the first year of offering services over the new infrastructure. The executive noted: ‘This also shows a faster take-up rate indicating excellent operational effectiveness as compared to our [standard] broadband service, Streamyx, where we took three years to sign up 200,000 subscribers from nationwide availability.’ According to Zamzamzairani, UniFi services are now averaging a take-up rate of between 15% and 20% of the premises passed, well ahead of TM’s initial estimates of a take-up rate of between 8% and 10%. Looking forward take up is expected to increase further, with the TM now aiming for a 50% uptake of premises passed in ‘the next three to five years’.
As noted in TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, following trials in December 2009, on 24 March 2010 TM officially inaugurated the HSBB network, and the initial product range comprised triple-play bundles which included fixed line voice, high speed internet at downlink rates of up to 20Mbps, and IPTV. UniFi services are now available at 77 exchange areas, passing more than 1.09 million premises; the bulk of enabled exchanges – 61 – are in the inner Klang Valley. TM has said it is on track to increase the HSBB footprint to a total of 78 exchange areas by end-2011, by which date some 1.1 premises should have access to the services, with that number rising to 1.3 million by the end of 2012.