TM sets UniFi connection target for premises

05 July 2010 , By The Star

Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) expects 6% to 8% of the 750,000 premises to be connected to UniFi by year-end to become subscribers, said HSBB programme manager Ahmad Azhar Yahya.

During the press conference for UniFi July Rollout yesterday, Ahmad said the subscribers growth would be gradual and supported by its wider UniFi coverage as well as bigger service platform.

“We have close to 5,000 subscribers from residential and business customers now. The subscribers will begin to pay their monthly subscription fees this month,” he said, adding that previously, Unifi subscribers were not charged with subscription fees.

However, he declined to comment on the expected contribution from the UniFi service to the company’s revenue this year.

He said the company was developing a portal for consumer to subscribe for the service online, which was expected to be available by the end of the month.

The company added 18 new UniFi coverage yesterday from four initial areas – Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam – it launched in March.

The new areas include industrial sites such as Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah, Bayan Baru in Penang, Senai and Permas in Johor, Wangsa Maju, Sungai Buloh, Puchong and Cyberjaya. It was on track to have a total of 48 sites, mainly in the Klang Valley by year-end.

“UniFi service rollout has now reached more than 375,000 premises passes with the 18 new areas, “ he said, adding that the company was expected to reach 750,000 premises passed by year-end and 1.3 million end-2012.

“We plan to spend RM2bil for HSBB project this year,” he said.

Signed in September 2008, the RM11.3bil HSBB project is a Public-Private-Partnership agreement between TM and the Government.

By the end of 2012 – in accordance with the completion of the first phase of the rollout, HSBB services will cover areas include the Inner Klang Valley, Iskandar Malaysia and key industrial sites around the nation.

TM is investing RM8.9bil into the project while the Government is contributing RM2.4bil on an iccurred claims basis based on project milestones reached by TM.

The company’s total expenditure related to HSBB project reached RM2.3bil as at April 30, 2010.