Ericsson To Broaden Service Offerings In Malaysia

By Sharifah Pirdaus Syed Ali KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Global networking giant, Ericsson will continue to expand its business in Malaysia by offering services beyond the telecommunications segment to help achieve its networked society vision and contribute in pushing Malaysia's digital initiatives. Ericsson Malaysia and Sri Lanka President, Todd Ashton, said the company was eyeing opportunities in other segments like electricity, broadcasting, government communication security and protection, border security as well as shipping which could improve fuel efficiency and navigation. "Malaysia is moving into a more connected digital advanced era. There are a number of initiatives that give early indication of the development of a networked society. "Smart city pilot in Melaka is also project that indicates that we are reaching a tipping point in the development of a networked society in Malaysia," he told Bernama. Other initiatives such as improving transportation infrastructure and television digitalisation also presented vast opportunities to the company, Ashton said. "As the first telecommunications company to establish operations in the country, Ericsson's continuous success is through collaborations with the Malaysian government, local companies and the society at large, to empower people, enable businesses and connect societies," he said. He said a networked society was about ensuring that any devices that benefit from a connection is connected and encourage people to use the network to make their lives and business better, efficient and further empower the transformation of all other industries. Ashton said the company has been in Malaysia for 50 years now and had participated in various developments in telecommunications with almost all telecommunication companies by building network to improve their service delivery to customers. He said the company placed Malaysia at the forefront as there are so many types of business opportunities in the county with tremendous growth potential. "If we look at developing Southeast Asian countries from the consumers perspective, Malaysia is the fastest growing market with interest and desire of using mobile broadband on par with Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, and if you look at the use of social media, it far outstrips other countries," he said. -- BERNAMA