Credit: M1
M1 is progressing at pace as the transformation from a telecommunications powerhouse into a provider of connectivity solutions gathers momentum.
Majority owned by Keppel Corp and Singapore Press Holdings, the business is leveraging the capabilities of AsiaPac Distribution - acquired in 2018 - to build out expertise in hybrid cloud, in addition to increasing focus on technologies such as 5G, digital and the Internet of Things (IoT).
“M1’s privatisation was an opportunity to turn around a business that Keppel knows well,” a company presentation stated. “We have a clear plan. There are risks and challenges ahead, but we are confident of overcoming them and creating value.”
The deepened focus comes amid double double-digit customer growth in mobile and fixed segments, in addition to ICT revenue growth in excess of 200 per cent year-on-year.
Central to further growth will be “strengthening current offerings while developing new markets”, in addition to increasing collaboration as part of the Keppel Group through smart cities, smart yards and data centres.
The expertise of AsiaPac will be crucial in achieving such aspirations in hybrid cloud especially, with the provider selected as launch partner of VMware Cloud on Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Singapore earlier this year.
As revealed by Channel Asia, VMware aligned with AsiaPac due to strong knowledge of the local industry, alongside a well-trained team of technological experts and an expansive network of partners and customers.
According to the presentation deck, AsiaPac - a finalist in the upcoming Channel Asia Innovation Awards - houses “deep cloud expertise and relations with hyper-scalers AWS and Microsoft Azure”, as M1 attempts to capitalise on an expanding data centre market in Singapore.
Consequently, plans are now in place for the combined solutions of Keppel DC, M1 and AsiaPac to create a “powerful hybrid cloud partnership with diverse capabilities”.
Delving deeper, M1 is also targeting growth through the B2B connectivity and technology markets in Singapore, cited as housing $16 billion in spending potential.
Within this segment, differentiation for large enterprises, government and SMEs ranks as a leading priority, as well as optimising cross-sell opportunities between M1 and AsiaPac.
