Telekom Malaysia and Verizon Business Collaboration to Develop Local IP Capabilities

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., U.S.A - Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) and Verizon Business today announced that they are jointly developing a new Malaysian Internet protocol (IP) node to support the delivery of advanced data services to Malaysian-headquartered companies, as well as multinational companies with operations in Malaysia and throughout the region.

The two companies are collaborating to develop a new Internet node in Cyberjaya, which will be jointly operated by TM and Verizon Business. The node is due to go live in the second quarter of 2009.

The companies' collaboration was ratified in a signing ceremony today in Kuala Lumpur.  Dato' Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, group chief executive officer of TM, and John Doherty, Verizon Business vice president-strategy and finance, represented their respective companies at the event.

The new Internet node is intended to support the Malaysian agenda of turning the country into a regional hub for Internet peering and networking. The Malaysian government is working to enhance its national telecommunications infrastructure to ensure it has the capacity to support its local service providers' needs as well as to position Malaysia as a regional bandwidth provider.

TM is Malaysia's leading integrated information and communications group, with extensive global connectivity. Verizon owns and operates one of the most expansive IP backbone networks in the world, and is a recognized leader in the delivery of global Internet protocol-based enterprise communications. Thanks to the two companies' new collaboration, TM customers with multinational operations will gain seamless access to Verizon Business' expansive global network and solutions; Verizon Business customers with operations in the Malaysian market will likewise be able to benefit from TM's extensive local market expertise.

The establishment of a Malaysian Internet node is a milestone for both TM and Malaysia. Dato' Zam Isa commented: "By working with Verizon Business to establish this IP node, TM will be able to offer high-end network services at competitive prices. We believe this will enhance our ability to offer high-quality IP-based services to local service providers and hence companies with operations in Malaysia."

John Doherty added: "The Asia-Pacific region is a key investment location for many of our multinational customers, and has a significant number of companies already operating in, or expanding into, the global marketplace. Verizon Business focuses on serving the global communications needs of multinational companies through a combination of wholly owned infrastructure, local and global service and support teams, and strategic relationships in key markets. We look forward to continuing to work with TM, using our collective skills and network capabilities to offer access to reliable, secure and innovative global IP-based communications services and IT solutions. Verizon owns and operates one of the world's largest local-to-global IP networks, spanning more than 150 countries on six continents. This announcement is a further endorsement of the strength of our global Internet availability."

About TM
Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), Malaysia's leading integrated information and communications group, offers a comprehensive range of communication services and solutions in broadband, data and fixed-line. As a market leader in the broadband and fixed-line businesses, TM is driven to deliver value to its stakeholders in a highly competitive environment. The Group places emphasis on continuing customer service quality enhancements and innovations.

With its extensive global connectivity, TM is poised to position Malaysia as a regional Internet hub and digital gateway for South-East Asia. In line with this, TM is evolving into a Next Generation Network service provider enabling the Group to enhance its efficiency and productivity while providing enriched products and services.

On the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) front, the Group has always been a major corporate contributor towards responsible activities in the belief that these practices are a fundamental tenet of good corporate governance. The Group promotes 3 major platforms i.e. education, sports development and community/nation-building. Under education, TM has spent some RM800 million to develop Multimedia University into one of the top universities in Malaysia with more than 20,000 students. TM has also provided scholarships to over 10,000 graduates pursuing academic programmes locally and overseas. On the sports front, TM is actively contributing towards the upliftment of football at all levels while under the community/nation-building platform, the Group contributes towards causes that bring value to the community and nation at large. TM was awarded the prestigious STAR-BIZ ICRM Corporate Responsibility Award under the workplace category for 2008. For further information on TM, visit www.tm.com.my.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world's most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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