KUALA LUMPUR (July 21): Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is aiming to achieve 58% fibre coverage in Sabah over the next three years, targeting to connect at least 145,000 premises as the group accelerates its fibre deployment through 2025.

In a statement Thursday, TM said it connected close to 282,000 premises in Sabah with a total of 32,000km of fibre optic cables statewide and has invested RM1.1 billion for capital expenditure since 2012 towards improving connectivity and fiberisation in the State.

Cumulatively, it said it has deployed 600,000 km of fibre optic cables nationwide and that it will continue to expand the network in line with the implementation of the National Digital Network (Jendela) plan.

The group also updated that it has rolled out 59 fibre connectivity sites in schools in the State which serve as Points Of Presence (POPs).

TM’s statement was issued in conjunction with an engagement initiative by the group’s leadership, including group chief executive officer Imri Mokhtar, with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.

“As a human-centred technology company, TM is ready to play the role of a strategic partner in realising Sabah’s digital agenda in multiple ways, including developing competitive and competent digital talents for Sabah’s Digital Economy through scholarships, education collaboration with MMU (Multimedia University) as well as job opportunities,” said Imri.

To enable faster content downloading and reduced latency, TM said it has deployed its TM internet exchange (TMiX) nodes locally in Kota Kinabalu and Penampang, with upcoming ones in Inanam, Kinarut, Menggatal and Putatan, expected to be ready by December 2022.

TM said it will also enable content localisation, where over-the-top players can place their content servers in Penampang, establish a Content Delivery Network (CDN) node, and implement an International Gateway (IGW) in the district by the first quarter of 2023.

“TM is also ready to collaborate and offer comprehensive custom digital solutions to Sabah’s public sector and business community, with Digital Government, Digital Marketplace, unifi Business Club as well as its comprehensive Cloud, Data Centre and Cybersecurity offerings, in addition to its suite of Smart City solutions,” the statement read.

TM shares closed three sen or 0.6% higher at RM5.51, giving the group a market capitalisation of RM20.79 billion.