Tag: telekom

  • Telekom Malaysia Launches AI-Driven Singing Platform

    Telekom Malaysia Launches AI-Driven Singing Platform

    Launched as part of the “Sejuta Suara, Satu Ritma, Jiwa Merdeka” campaign for Hari Kebangsaan and Hari Malaysia 2024, this groundbreaking platform leverages advanced AI technology to celebrate and highlight the country’s rich linguistic diversity.

    By leveraging AI for automated lip-syncing and voice cloning, TM has created an immersive experience that lets Malaysians sing in their preferred languages or dialects with remarkable realism and ease.

    The platform is driven by a collaboration of seven advanced AI and API systems, all of which are integrated to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience. Powered by Credence, TM’s cloud and digital solutions division, this innovative technology highlights TM’s dedication to advancing digital capabilities and pushing the limits of what technology can achieve.

    Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “This initiative highlights how AI can be harnessed to celebrate and preserve Malaysia’s rich linguistic diversity.  It gives Malaysians a new way to connect with each other and transform the iconic patriotic anthem into a unifying force for the nation. By leveraging advanced AI technology to promote our unique linguistic heritage, we contribute to national integration, digital inclusion, cultural preservation while fostering stronger unity and a digitally savvy society.”

    Amar highlighted TM’s dedication to making advanced technologies accessible to all Malaysians as it works towards its goal of becoming a Digital Powerhouse by 2030.

  • SK Telecom unveils AI smart speaker

    SK Telecom unveils AI smart speaker

    SK Telecom has revealed plans to launch a new AI voice activated digital assistant named NUGU Nemo.

    NUGU Nemo is an AI speaker with a 7-inch display that contains a range of free video and learning content for children.

    This includes Pinkfong from SmartStudy, which comes with a range of video and audio content as well as games aimed at helping kids learn Korean, English and mathematics.

    The device uses video recognition technology to protect children’s’ eyesight by advising them to move back from the screen if they move within 15cm of it.

    For adults, the device displays information on its screen including stock information, real-time foreign exchange rates and a Korean-English dictionary to enhance user experience.

    The device will be priced at 199,000 won ($175) and be available to preorders from April 23, SK Telecom said.

  • Malaysia’s TM hires four new board members

    Malaysia’s TM hires four new board members

    Telekom Malaysia (TM) has appointed four new directors to the company’s board, following the resignation of David Benello as an independent non-executive director. The new directors are Dato’ Asri Hamidin @ Hamidon, Dato’ Mohd Naim Daruwish, Hisham Zainal Mokhtar and Saheran Suhendran. Asri Hamidin is appointed as a non-independence non-executive director representing the special shareholder, Minister of Finance (Inc) on the board. Mohd Naim has been made a non-independent non-executive director representing the interests of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) which is a major shareholder of the Malaysian incumbent.

    Asri is currently the deputy secretary general (investment) at the Ministry of Finance, while Mohd Naim is currently the deputy chief executive (operations) of EPF. Hisham and Saheran were appointed as the independent non-executive directors. Hisham is currently a director in the group MD’s office at Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bhd, while Saheran is currently a consultant at Messrs Chua Associates.

    All the board appointment took effect on October 3.

    TM also announced that Farid Basir has joined the telco as its new chief human capital officer (CHCO). Farid, taking over the position previously covered by Suhaimi Sulong as the acting CHCO since early this year, assumed his new role on October 1.

    Prior to his appointment, Farid was the CHCO at Bank Rakyat for almost three years.

    Cisco names Herman Lam as MD for HK & Macau

    Cisco has appointed Herman Lam as managing director for Hong Kong and Macau.

    The company has also announced that Barbara Chiu, vice president of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, will retire by end of October.

    Cisco said Lam brings to the table over 25 years of experience in IT industry combined with a wealth of leadership and management experience gained with leading technology firms.

    Prior to joining Cisco, Lam’s previous stints include CEO of Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company, and general manager of Microsoft Hong Kong.

    Commenting on the appointment, Cisco Greater China chief executive officer Hera Siu said Lam’s “unique blend of experience and knowledge, complemented by extraordinary vision and operational expertise within large organizations,” will bring valuable insights to the company.

    “I also want to thank Barbara, who has had an immeasurable impact on Cisco’s success and express my utmost appreciation for her devotion and leadership during the past 12 years,” Siu noted.

    21Vianet appoints Wing-Dar Ker as DYXnet Group’s CEO

    Chinese carrier-neutral network service provider DYXnet Group has announced that Wing-Dar Ker has been appointed as the company’s new CEO.

    He takes over the position from company founder and CEO Lap Man, who will continue to serve the group as adviser.

    The appointment was made by 21Vianet Group, parent company of DYXnet Group and one of China’s carriers and cloud-neutral internet data center service providers.

    Wing is also president of Shanghai Blue Cloud Technologies Co Ltd, 21Vianet Group’s other wholly-owned subsidiary.

    The move is aimed at facilitating greater collaboration between DYXnet Group and Blue Cloud, while exploring and capitalizing on synergies, 21Vianet said.

  • Telekom Malaysia Q2 profit grows 51%

    Telekom Malaysia Q2 profit grows 51%

    Telekom Malaysia has reported a 51% year-on-year increase in net profit for the second quarter, as forex gains more than compensated for declining revenue.

    Net profit for the period reached 210.48 million ringgit ($49.3 million), with the operator reporting a foreign exchange gain of 50 million ringgit.

    But revenue declined 2.3% year-on-year to 2.98 billion ringgit, as a result of lower data, voice and other telecommunications service revenue.

    For the first half of the year, revenue increased a slim 0.7% to 5.94 billion ringgit. The company increased its broadband customer base to 2.36 million, while its LTE coverage grew to reach more than 80% in major cities.

    Capex for the six month period amounted to 899 million ringgit or 15.1% of total revenue.

    “This is a challenging period for the industry where we see flattish growth trends and cost headwinds. Our internet revenue, has seen commendable growth at 8.5% YTD,” Telekom Malaysia group CEO Dato’ Sri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly said.

    We are focused on empowering digitization in our daily operations to optimise processes and productivity. We are expediting our fiber rollout and expanding our reach with our ongoing investments, for example to high-rise buildings; and made some key execution leadership appointments to facilitate this, amongst others.”

  • Telenor will sit out of Indian spectrum auction

    Telenor will sit out of Indian spectrum auction

    Telenor Group has revealed it will not participate in India’s upcoming spectrum auction, leading to speculation about the company’s future in the market.

    The company has decided after thorough consideration not to participate in the auction, “as we believe the proposed spectrum prices do not give an acceptable level of return,” Telenor said in its second quarter report.

    “We will continue our efforts to meet customer demands and grow the business based on the current spectrum holding. As we evaluate our options in India, we will be disciplined on capex,” the report states.

    Telenor reported revenue from India of 1.55 billion kronor ($181.9 million) in the second quarter, up 13% from the prior year. But Telenor India also reported a wider loss for the quarter of 132 million kronor, and 3.32 billion kronor for the first half of the year.

    Given that Telenor only operates in six of India’s 22 telecom circles, and exclusively holds 1800-MHz spectrum – limiting its ability to effectively roll out 4G services – Observers had considered additional spectrum to be essential to Telenor India’s ongoing operations.

    With the operator electing to sit out of the auction, some experts are speculating that the company could pull out of the market.

    By contrast, Telenor’s operations in Myanmar are already cashflow positive, the Q2 results show. Telenor Myanmar reported an operating profit of 614 million kronor, on the back of 3% higher revenue of 1.49 billion kronor.

    Telenor Myanmar added 1.4 million new mobile subscriptions during the quarter, taking its total base to 16.9 million. But ARPU in local currency decreased by 8% due to promotional spending and increased penetration in rural areas.