Telekom Malaysia’s wholesale arm, TM Global, recently announced ambitious plans to expand its core data centers in Cyberjaya and Johor, driven by the ever-growing demand for both domestic and international data hosting services. This latest initiative focuses on the second phase of expansions at the Klang Valley Data Centre (KVDC) in Cyberjaya and the Iskandar Puteri Data Centre (IPDC) in Johor. The planned expansions promise to add a combined IT load of approximately 20MW. These data centers are set to meet Tier-III standards and achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating, underscoring a long-term commitment to sustainability. The upgrades, which are expected to be operational by 2025, align with TM Global’s strategy to enhance Malaysia’s infrastructure ecosystem and bolster the nation’s position as a data center hub in Southeast Asia.
Enhancing Infrastructure and Sustainability
The broader strategy to improve Malaysia’s digital landscape includes a joint venture with Nxera, Singtel’s Digital InfraCo’s regional data center arm, to develop more data centers in Malaysia. This collaboration will kick off with the establishment of a 200MW hyperscale AI-ready data center campus in Johor, promising to cater to the rising needs of digital services such as cloud computing, advanced analytics, AI, and IoT. TM Global EVP Khairul Liza Ibrahim pointed out that the expansions and partnerships are crucial to supporting the digital transformation trajectory, emphasizing that KVDC and IPDC are integral components of Malaysia’s digital ecosystem. Serving as international gateways and interconnected points, these data centers are strategically designed to facilitate the rollout of 5G networks across the region.
Additionally, TM Global has acquired a facilities-based operator license in Singapore, which will enable the company to provide seamless connectivity across data centers in the region. This new development should enhance links between Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Batam, Indonesia. Notably, TM currently operates a total of seven data centers in Malaysia, marking its strong presence in the digital infrastructure landscape. Furthermore, TM’s participation in the Asia Link Cable Systems (ALC) subsea cable is set to add an impressive 24 Tbps of international capacity when it becomes operational by the third quarter of 2025, promising to reinforce the region’s connectivity capabilities significantly.
Bolstering Regional Digital Presence
TM Global’s strategic growth highlights its dedication to meeting increasing connectivity needs and supporting advanced digital service infrastructure. By creating enduring, future-ready data center solutions, TM Global aims to elevate Malaysia into a digital hub in Southeast Asia. These upgrades and partnerships are designed not only to boost capacity but also to accommodate hyper-scalers, OTT services, and AI providers. This comprehensive strategy is set to bolster TM Global’s regional influence and enhance its ability to support next-gen digital infrastructure.
This vision aligns with global digital trends and the swiftly changing tech landscape. The initiatives are poised to significantly enhance digital services, positioning Malaysia as a significant player in the regional digital economy. The extensive expansions and partnerships, from increasing IT load and gaining LEED certification to engaging in large-scale subsea cable projects, demonstrate TM Global’s holistic approach to making Malaysia a leader in digital connectivity and innovation. As these expansions progress, the region’s prospects for improved digital connectivity and service availability seem brighter than ever.