Broadband for Malaysians

U Mobile

U Mobile is a major player in the Malaysian telecommunications industry, founded in 1998. They are known for being data-centric and have won awards for their affordable and consumer-friendly mobile data services. U Mobile offers a variety of prepaid and postpaid plans, and has been recognized for its commitment to innovation and strong 5G network.

U Mobile History

1998-2007: Early Years

U Mobile was founded in 1998 and began operations in 2007 as Malaysia's newest mobile telecommunications service provider. The company quickly gained a reputation for its innovative approach to mobile services and its focus on data.

2008-2017: Growth and Expansion

In the following years, U Mobile experienced significant growth and expanded its network coverage across Malaysia. The company introduced a range of prepaid and postpaid plans to cater to different customer needs and budgets.

2018-Present: 5G and Beyond

U Mobile has been at the forefront of Malaysia's 5G rollout and has invested heavily in building a robust 5G network. The company continues to innovate and introduce new services to meet the evolving needs of its customers.

What is U Mobile Known For?

  • Data-centric approach
  • Affordable prepaid and postpaid plans
  • Strong 5G network
  • Commitment to innovation
  • Consumer-friendly services

What is U Mobile Relationship with TM?

U Mobile and TM (Telekom Malaysia) have a collaborative relationship focused on improving network infrastructure and services. Here are some key points about their relationship:

  • Backhaul Connectivity: U Mobile has partnered with TM to utilize their Next-Gen Backhaul (NGBH) services. This provides U Mobile with a strong fiber optic backbone for their mobile network, ultimately improving data transmission speeds and network reliability for U Mobile customers.
  • 5G Network Sharing Exploration: In 2020, both TM and U Mobile explored the possibility of sharing 5G network infrastructure. This would involve utilizing TM's existing 5G network in Langkawi as a testing ground for sharing models. This collaboration could potentially lead to a more efficient and cost-effective way to deploy 5G nationwide.
  • Not a Merger or Acquisition: It's important to note that TM and U Mobile are separate companies. Their relationship focuses on specific service collaborations, not a full merger or acquisition.

What is U Mobile Relationship with the Government of Malaysia?

U Mobile has a cooperative relationship with the Malaysian government, working together on initiatives to improve connectivity and bridge the digital divide in the country. Here are some key aspects of their relationship:

  • Supporting Government Initiatives: U Mobile actively participates in government programs aimed at expanding network coverage and making mobile data more affordable. For instance, they've supported the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative by exceeding targets for adding new 4G base stations and upgrading existing ones.
  • Affordable Connectivity: U Mobile is recognized for offering data-centric plans at competitive prices. This aligns with the government's agenda of ensuring all Malaysians have access to affordable mobile internet.
  • Digital Inclusion: U Mobile's commitment to affordable plans and network expansion helps bridge the digital divide in Malaysia. This allows more people to participate in the digital economy and access government services online.

Overall, U Mobile acts as a key player in fulfilling the Malaysian government's goals for a more connected and digitally inclusive nation.

What are the technologies used by U Mobile?

U Mobile utilizes a mix of technologies to deliver its mobile services, with a focus on providing strong 4G LTE and future-proofing for 5G:

Network Infrastructure:

  • 4G LTE and LTE-A: U Mobile's core network operates on 4G LTE and LTE-Advanced technologies, offering high-speed data connectivity to its customers.
  • Partnerships: U Mobile collaborates with various vendors for network equipment, including Huawei for access layers and core transmissions.
  • Spectrum Holdings: U Mobile holds spectrum licenses in various bands, including 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2600 MHz, which allows them to provide wider network coverage and capacity.

Innovation and Futureproofing:

  • 5G Exploration: U Mobile is actively involved in exploring and developing 5G technology. They've partnered with Huawei to collaborate on 5G innovation and explore solutions for business applications.
  • Advanced Technologies: U Mobile has trialed advanced technologies like 8T8R with Huawei's BladeAAU solution to enhance user experience on mid-bands for 4G LTE.

U Mobile Vision and Mission

U Mobile Vision

U Mobile's vision is to be Malaysia's favourite digital services provider through innovations that constantly make things possible.

This vision statement emphasizes two key elements:

  • Being the Preferred Choice: U Mobile aims to be the go-to provider for digital services in Malaysia, offering innovative solutions that cater to the needs of consumers.
  • Innovation and Possibilities: The vision highlights U Mobile's commitment to continuous innovation and pushing boundaries to create new possibilities for its customers.

U Mobile Mission

U Mobile actions point towards a mission focused on:

  • Empowering Malaysians through affordable and accessible mobile data services. This aligns with their vision of being the favorite digital services provider and their history of offering competitive data plans.
  • Driving innovation in the telecommunication industry. Their focus on developing new solutions like GoLife micro-insurance and GoBiz digital payment platform reflects this mission.
  • Bridging the digital divide in Malaysia. Their participation in government initiatives and commitment to expanding network coverage suggests this mission element.

Overall, U Mobile's mission revolves around making mobile technology and its benefits accessible and empowering for all Malaysians.

U Mobile Values

U Mobile prioritizes five core values that guide their company culture and how they operate:

  • Passion: They emphasize a passionate drive and a "fire within" to tackle challenges and achieve seemingly impossible goals.
  • Innovation: U Mobile values good ideas, but actively seeks out and pursues groundbreaking solutions that push boundaries in the industry.
  • Teamwork: They believe that collaboration and leveraging the strengths of each team member is essential for success.
  • Trustworthiness: Building and maintaining trust internally and with their customers is a fundamental value for U Mobile.
  • Fun: U Mobile fosters a work environment that is enjoyable and creates a positive balance between professionalism and having fun.

These values paint a picture of a company that is ambitious, innovative, and prioritizes both collaboration and a positive work environment.

U Mobile Organization

U Mobile Leadership

U Mobile's leadership team consists of experienced individuals who guide the company's strategic direction. Here are some key leaders:

  • Wong Heang Tuck (CEO): Heang Tuck has been the CEO of U Mobile since 2014 and is credited with driving strong revenue growth and market share expansion for U Mobile.
  • Neil Tomkinson (Chief Information Officer): Tomkinson brings over 30 years of experience in the telecommunications industry to U Mobile. He is responsible for leading the company's IT strategy and ensuring technology aligns with business objectives.
  • Alex Tan Kok Leong (Head of Sales): Tan is responsible for U Mobile's strategic partnerships, go-to-market plans, and consumer sales across prepaid and postpaid segments. He plays a key role in expanding U Mobile's customer base.

U Mobile Organizational Structure

  • Executive Leadership: U Mobile has a well-defined senior management team led by the CEO.
  • Functional Departments: Departments like Network, Sales, Revenue Assurance, and Corporate Services are mentioned in news articles and job postings.
  • Regional Presence: U Mobile is focused on expanding coverage in Borneo and East Malaysia, suggesting the presence of regional teams.

U Mobile Workforce

U Mobile's workforce size is 1,185 total employees. The workforce composition are:

  • Technical Roles: Network engineers, IT specialists, data analysts likely make up a significant portion considering their focus on network infrastructure and innovation.
  • Customer-Facing Roles: Sales representatives, customer service personnel, and support specialists would be crucial for interacting with customers across various channels.
  • Business Operations Roles: Specialists in finance, marketing, human resources, and legal departments would be essential for smooth operations.
  • Regional Teams: If U Mobile has established regional teams, they might have personnel managing network coverage, sales, and customer service specific to those areas.

U Mobile Culture

U Mobile's culture is driven by a combination of factors:

  • Innovation and Achievement: Their core values emphasize passion, innovation, and achieving ambitious goals.
  • Collaboration and Trust: Teamwork and building trust are core values, indicating a culture that prioritizes open communication, collaboration across departments, and fostering a sense of reliability.
  • Employee Well-being: U Mobile offers programs like UTakeCharge to promote employee well-being across physical, emotional, social, and financial aspects. This suggests they value a work-life balance and employee well-being.
  • Adaptability: Their response to the pandemic with remote work options highlights a culture that can adapt to changing circumstances.

Here are some additional details that might paint a more complete picture:

  • Culture Training: U Mobile's CultureLiveIt program suggests they actively manage and reinforce their company culture through training initiatives.
  • Recognition and Awards: Winning awards for being affordable and consumer-friendly indicates a culture that prioritizes customer satisfaction while maintaining a competitive edge.

U Mobile fosters a culture that is innovative, collaborative, and mindful of employee well-being, all geared towards achieving ambitious goals in the telecommunications industry.

U Mobile Market Position

U Mobile holds a strong position in the Malaysian mobile telecommunications market, but it's not the biggest player. Here's a breakdown of their market position:

U Mobile Strengths

  • Data-Centric and Affordable: U Mobile is known for its focus on data-centric plans with competitive pricing. This makes them attractive to budget-conscious customers who prioritize mobile data usage.
  • Innovation and Awards: U Mobile has been recognized for its innovation, particularly in its 5G network development and affordable 5G plans. This positions them as a forward-thinking company in the industry.
  • Customer Satisfaction: Winning awards for customer service and being recognized for user experience suggests they prioritize customer satisfaction.

U Mobile Market Share

While exact figures can be difficult to pinpoint, U Mobile isn't the market leader in terms of subscriber base. Major players like Maxis and Celcom likely hold a larger market share. However, U Mobile remains a significant competitor with a loyal customer base.

U Mobile Target Audience

U Mobile likely targets a broader audience with a focus on:

  • Value-conscious consumers: Those who prioritize affordability and data allowance over premium network speeds.
  • Younger demographics: Students and young professionals who are heavy mobile data users.
  • Users in underserved areas: U Mobile's focus on expanding coverage in Borneo and East Malaysia suggests they target areas where other providers might have limited reach.

Overall

U Mobile occupies a strong niche in the Malaysian market by offering competitive data plans and focusing on innovation. While they might not be the leader in terms of total subscribers, they remain a relevant player with a loyal customer base and a reputation for affordability and data-centric services.

U Mobile Awards and Achievements

U Mobile boasts a history of awards and achievements that highlight their commitment to innovation, affordability, and customer satisfaction in the Malaysian mobile telecommunications market. Here's a breakdown of some key areas:

  • Customer Experience:
    • U Mobile has been recognized for its outstanding customer service across various touchpoints.
    • 2015 Frost & Sullivan Customer Experience Awards: Wins in Overall Experience, Best Contact Centre Experience, Best Mobile Experience, and Best Net Promoter Score.
    • 2020 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Best Practices Awards: Excellence in Customer Overall Experience, Online Experience, Mobile Experience, Contact Center Experience, and Dealership.
  • Data Services and Innovation:
    • U Mobile is known for its data-centric approach and pioneering spirit.
    • 2023 Frost & Sullivan Malaysia Mobile Services Company of the Year: Recognized for affordable 5G plans and commitment to consumer-centric products.
    • PC.com's 2013 "Best Data Service Provider" Award: Acknowledged for their focus on affordable and exciting data offerings.
  • Network Performance and Expansion:
    • U Mobile is constantly improving its network infrastructure and expanding coverage.
    • Opensignal Global Mobile Network Experience Awards 2021 - Rising Star: Recognized for improvements in video experience, download speed, voice app experience, and 4G availability.
    • Focus on expanding coverage in Borneo and East Malaysia, offering budget-friendly 5G plans in these regions.