Telekom Malaysia
Malaysia's incumbent telecommunications operator and a major provider of broadband, fixed-line, data and network services.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Telekom Malaysia Berhad, commonly known as TM, is Malaysia's incumbent telecommunications company and one of the country's largest government-linked enterprises. Its roots lie in the national telecommunications administration that developed telephone, telegraph, wireless and broadcasting infrastructure after the Second World War and Malaysia's independence. The corporate entity was created during the government's telecommunications privatisation programme: Syarikat Telekom Malaysia began operating as a corporatised successor to the telecommunications department on 1 January 1987, and the company was listed in 1990. TM initially inherited and expanded the country's fixed-line network. Its early responsibilities included local and long-distance telephony, international communications, radio infrastructure and the transmission of television signals. Major network developments included microwave links across urban centres, the SEACOM cable system, an international satellite earth station near Kuantan, digital switching, international direct dialling and submarine fibre connections. These investments helped move Malaysia from a largely analogue, state-administered system toward a modern national and international communications network. The company progressively broadened its business beyond traditional telephony. It entered internet access through TM Net in the mid-1990s, launched Streamyx broadband in 2001 and developed corporate data, fibre, managed network and information-technology services. In 2010, TM introduced unifi, Malaysia's first high-speed broadband service combining internet access, voice and IPTV, then marketed as HyppTV and later rebranded as unifi TV. Broadband and fibre became central to TM's consumer and enterprise strategy as fixed-line voice declined in importance. TM also participated in Malaysia's mobile-industry development. It was involved in the early Celcom venture, later introduced the TMTOUCH cellular service, and merged TMTOUCH with Celcom in 2003. The regional mobile assets were separated from TM during a 2007–2008 demerger and transferred to TM International, which was subsequently renamed Axiata Group Berhad. TM later returned to wireless services through its P1 subsidiary and a domestic roaming arrangement with Celcom, eventually marketing its 850 MHz LTE service as unifi Mobile. Today, TM's principal business areas are fixed broadband, enterprise connectivity, wholesale and international network services, voice, cloud and data-centre-related services, managed information and communications technology, and television and digital content delivered through the unifi platform. Its operating focus is primarily Malaysia, although its network infrastructure connects the country to regional and global telecommunications systems. The brand is positioned around national connectivity, broadband access, enterprise digitalisation and integrated communications services.
History
Malaysia's telecommunications system was rebuilt after wartime damage through the post-war Posts and Telegraphs administration. In 1946, telecommunications and postal responsibilities were separated, with the telecommunications authority managing telegraph, telephone and wireless services. During the Malayan Emergency, radio links and VHF systems were expanded to support police and military communications, while commercial telephone demand drove new exchanges, trunk routes and radio stations. After independence in 1957, the Malayan Telecommunications Department became Jabatan Telekom and pursued nationwide development. Microwave links connected major urban areas, subscriber trunk dialling improved long-distance calls, and Malaysia participated in the SEACOM cable initiative. Jabatan Telekom also carried television signals for Radio Televisyen Malaysia. In 1968, the telecommunications departments of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak were consolidated. An Intelsat earth station near Kuantan, opened in 1970, expanded international telephone, telegraph, telex and television connectivity. International telex, international direct dialling and electronic switching followed during the 1970s. A major institutional transformation began in 1985 under the government's privatisation policy. The corporatised successor, Syarikat Telekom Malaysia, commenced operations on 1 January 1987. It modernised the inherited network, improved customer service and invested in fibre, digital transmission and international connectivity. COINS provided a high-capacity corporate data backbone, while submarine fibre systems linked Malaysia with Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. The company was listed on 7 November 1990 and became widely known as Telekom Malaysia Berhad. TM diversified into internet and data services in the 1990s. It received an internet-service-provider licence in 1995 and launched TM Net. Streamyx, introduced in 2001, brought broadband access to a mass consumer market. The company also developed enterprise networking, video conferencing, Centrex and fixed wireless services. Mobile operations were more complex. TM participated in the formation of Celcom, later created TMTOUCH, and ultimately merged TMTOUCH with Celcom in 2003. TM's international mobile investments expanded into several Asian and African markets before being consolidated. In 2007–2008, TM separated its regional mobile assets into TM International; that business was later renamed Axiata. TM retained its Malaysian fixed-line, broadband and network activities. The company shifted decisively toward high-speed fixed broadband with the 2010 launch of unifi, an integrated internet, voice and IPTV service. Fibre-to-the-home, Ethernet-to-the-home and VDSL technologies supported the High Speed Broadband rollout. TM subsequently expanded unifi into television, mobile and other digital services. In 2016, it returned to wireless connectivity through P1 and a roaming agreement with Celcom, and its 850 MHz LTE service was later branded unifi Mobile. TM's continuing role is centred on Malaysian broadband, enterprise connectivity, wholesale infrastructure, digital services and international network access.
- 2018
TMgo rebranded as unifi Mobile
[1]The company's 850 MHz LTE service was placed under the unifi Mobile brand.
- 2016
TM returns to mobile connectivity
[1]TM's P1 subsidiary returned the group to wireless services through a domestic roaming arrangement with Celcom.
- 2010
unifi launched
[1]TM launched an integrated high-speed broadband, voice and IPTV proposition.
- 2008
Mobile business demerged
[1]TM International assumed the regional mobile operations while TM concentrated on domestic fixed and broadband services.
- 2001
Streamyx broadband launched
[1]Streamyx became TM's principal early mass-market broadband service.
- 1995
TM enters internet access
[1]TM received an ISP licence and launched TM Net.
- 1990
Telekom Malaysia listed
[1]The company was listed on 7 November, marking a major step in its transformation into a public corporation.
- 1987
Syarikat Telekom Malaysia begins operations
[1]The telecommunications department was corporatised as Syarikat Telekom Malaysia on 1 January.
- 1985
ATUR 450 mobile service introduced
[1]Automatic Telephone Using Radio 450 became an early Malaysian mobile telephone service.
- 1968
East and West Malaysian telecommunications departments consolidated
[1]The telecommunications administrations of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak were merged.
Products and positioning
Malaysia's incumbent and nationally significant connectivity provider, combining consumer broadband and entertainment with enterprise, wholesale and international network services.
Fixed broadband and digital services · 2010
unifi
TM's principal consumer digital-services brand, launched in 2010 as a high-speed broadband bundle combining internet access, voice and IPTV. The platform later expanded to include fibre broadband, television content and mobile connectivity. unifi represents TM's strategic shift from traditional fixed telephony toward integrated household digital services.
Broadband · 2001
Streamyx
Introduced in 2001, Streamyx was TM's early mass-market broadband product and helped move Malaysian consumers from dial-up access to always-on internet connectivity. It was based primarily on fixed-line broadband technology and preceded the wider deployment of TM's high-speed fibre proposition.
Internet service provider · 1995
TM Net
TM Net was the internet-access business created after TM received an ISP licence in 1995. It marked the company's expansion from voice and transmission infrastructure into consumer and business internet services and formed part of TM's broader integrated telecommunications strategy.
Mobile telecommunications · 2018
unifi Mobile
TM's wireless and mobile service offering, developed from its LTE activities and later brought under the unifi brand. It uses mobile network and roaming arrangements to complement TM's fixed broadband portfolio.
Pay television and IPTV · 2010
HyppTV / unifi TV
TM's IPTV and pay-television service, initially marketed as HyppTV and subsequently associated with the unifi TV brand. It provides linear channels, high-definition programming, radio, video-on-demand and interactive content through TM broadband connections.
Enterprise data networking
COINS
Corporate Information Superhighway was a fibre-based, globally connected backbone developed for high-capacity digital data transmission. It illustrated TM's early move into enterprise networking and advanced infrastructure services during the transition from analogue telecommunications.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010unifi national broadband launch
Malaysia
TM introduced unifi as an integrated high-speed broadband proposition built around the national High Speed Broadband rollout, pairing connectivity with voice and IPTV.
Outcome. Established unifi as TM's central consumer brand.
Brand decisions
2016
Re-enter the mobile marketStrategyBackground
Following the earlier separation of TM's regional mobile business, the company sought to complement fixed broadband with wireless access.
Action taken
TM used its P1 subsidiary and a five-year domestic roaming agreement with Celcom to resume mobile services.
Aftermath
The wireless offering was subsequently developed into TM's unifi Mobile proposition.
2010
Launch unifi high-speed broadbandProduct launchBackground
Increasing demand for faster internet access required TM to move beyond legacy copper broadband and conventional telephony.
Action taken
TM launched a fibre- and high-speed-access service combining internet, voice and IPTV.
Aftermath
Broadband became the company's principal consumer growth platform and unifi became its leading customer-facing brand.
2008
Separate mobile and fixed-line operationsStrategyBackground
TM had accumulated domestic fixed-line, broadband and regional mobile activities with different geographic and business priorities.
Action taken
The company completed a demerger in which TM retained domestic fixed and broadband operations while TM International took over regional mobile assets.
Aftermath
TM International was later renamed Axiata Group Berhad, while TM focused more strongly on Malaysian fixed connectivity and broadband.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Telekom Malaysia reports improved Q3 earnings[2]
Reported:
Telekom Malaysia reported quarter-on-quarter increases in group revenue and earnings, attributing the improvement to stronger contributions across product lines and cost-optimisation initiatives. Revenue rose 3.8% to RM2.69 billion from RM2.59 billion in the second quarter.
Telekom Malaysia CEO Noor Kamarul resigns[3]
Telekom Malaysia confirmed that managing director and group chief executive Noor Kamarul Anuar Nuruddin resigned, with his departure effective that day.
Telekom Malaysia appoints Razidan Ghazalli as CFO[4]
Reported:
Telekom Malaysia named Razidan Ghazalli as its new chief financial officer, effective November 1, 2019; he will replace Nor Fadhillah Mohd Ali.
Sources4 sources
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