Having secured a third-generation (3G) licence, Time dotCom Bhd now wants to revamp its business with plans which include a re-branding exercise and finding a new managing director.
It is also working on a business model that would see it focusing solely on data (high-speed wireless broadband services) rather than voice, as most operators with 3G spectra would do.
Time dotCom is also believed to be looking into engaging Britain-based Spectrum Strategy Ltd to help draw up a business plan for submission to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to be assigned the 3G spectrum. The submission deadline is Sept 3.
Several companies globally had in the past engaged Spectrum to map out their business plans for submission to the authorities and at least two local players had taken the same route previously.
In March, the Government announced that Time dotCom and MiTV Corp Sdn Bhd had won the remaining two 3G spectra in the second round of bidding. Maxis Communications Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd won the first round of 3G spectrum awards some years earlier.
According to a source, Time dotCom needs a solid business plan to move ahead and it sees 3G “as the vital link between its fibre-optic network and the end-user.”
In the past, Time dotCom tried to connect end-users to its network with wireless technology, Webbit, but 3G was seen as a better option as it offered economies of scale, the source said.
The company has a fibre-optic network that spans Peninsular Malaysia and a festoon submarine cable network around the peninsula. For now, nearly 30% of its network capacity is being utilised but sources close to Time dotCom said the capacity usage could double if 3G technologies were deployed successfully.
The company has also not decided on the vendor for 3G deployment even though it had worked with several for its submission. For nationwide deployment, Time dotCom said earlier it would only spend RM800mil. This is some 20% lower than what the other mobile operators are spending, i.e. over RM1bil.
But Time dotCom intends to focus on data, unlike its rivals which offer data and voice.
Sources said while the company was working out plans on 3G deployments, talks with Jaring are in progress.
The directive from the Government was clear for Time dotCom and Jaring to merge, said a source, adding that pricing had to be ironed out between the parties but the synergies were already there.
“It is really about finding a balance, as the due diligence has been completed,” the source said.
When merged with Jaring, Time dotCom would have to look at its branding. Would it want to “be associated with the dotcom era and continue with its dotcom name”, or start afresh with a new name, or opt for the Jaring name for its products?
The source said the company was keen to let go of its name. In fact, even its parent Time Engineering Bhd is considering a re-branding, an issue its board is looking at seriously.
And the search for a managing director is on since its former MD Tan See Yin has been reassigned as head of UEM World Bhd’s international business unit.
Time dotCom, Time and UEM World are in the United Engineers (M) Bhd (UEM) stable of companies.
“The search is on for someone within the industry. Someone who knows the market well and can help strategise the way forward and boost marketing efforts, so that with 3G there are no hiccups.
“Getting the 3G spectrum is akin to getting a new lease of life and Time dotCom does not have any time to spare if it wants to be a serious player in the broadband market,” a source said.
Presently, four people (two each from the board and management) oversee the day-to-day running of the company. -theStar
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