TM, TNB CANCEL HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS PLAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) have cancelled their plan to help expand high-speed Internet access nationwide and bring down cost of the service.

TM, in a filing to Bursa Malaysia yesterday, said they had decided to discontinue their collaboration to establish a detailed joint proposal for the Nationwide Fiberisation Plan (NFP).

“The discontinuation would not preclude TM from considering other collaborations with TNB should there be future business opportunities that would benefit both parties,” it added.

The two parties signed a memorandum of agreement for the plan on January 16 this year.

The companies said collaboration would capitalise on the combined strength of both government-linked companies in reach, infrastructure and expertise.

“The synergies would enable the most efficient cost structure, and accelerate the fibre broadband network’s reach,” the companies added.

TNB was previously reported that it wanted to broaden the use of its extensive fibre optic network, currently being used for its supervisory control and data acquisition systems.

The network is present in its transmission lines and main substations.

It was reported that the “lastmile” fiberisation to connect households nationwide, particularly in rural areas, could cost some RM10 billion.