Tag Archives: Nxera

Business, News

TM & Nxera Break Ground on State-of-the-Art Data Centre Campus in Johor

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Telekom Malaysia (TM) and Nxera, the regional data centre arm of Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit, have marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for their joint venture data centre campus in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. This state-of-the-art facility, designed to be sustainable, hyper-connected, and AI-ready, underscores Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional digital hub.

The 64MW data centre campus is a strategic investment aimed at bolstering Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and driving economic growth. By positioning Johor as a key digital hub, the project aligns with the government’s vision of transforming the nation into a centre for industrial growth, AI development, and innovation.

This collaboration between TM and Nxera marks the strengthening collaborative partnership between Malaysia and Singapore. Both Southeast Asian nations are working together to create a robust digital ecosystem. The data centre campus is expected to catalyze attracting high-tech and high-value content companies to the region, fostering a vibrant business environment.

TM Nxera 1
(From left) Khairul Liza, EVP TM Global, TM; Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, Group CEO, TM; YB Lee Ting Han, Chairman, Johor State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee; YB Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia’s Digital Minister; Low Yen Ling, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Culture, Community and Youth; Kai Nargolwala, Chairman, Nxera; and Bill Chang, CEO of Nxera and Singtel’s Digital InfraCo unit.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo said, “This investment by TM and Nxera reinforces Malaysia’s position as
the digital hub in Southeast Asia, further advancing the nation’s economic growth. Based on advance estimates, Malaysia’s economy expanded 5.8% in the second quarter of 2024, and such investments are in line with projections that Malaysia’s digital economy will contribute 25.5% to the nation’s GDP by the end of the year. The relationship between TM and Nxera expands to Malaysia and Singapore, with both nations being a good case study of a productive working partnership between two ASEAN member states.”

A key focus of the project is sustainability. The data centre campus will be designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, incorporating energy and water-efficient solutions. Additionally, the use of liquid cooling technology will enable the facility to handle high-power density AI workloads efficiently.

To support the growing demand for digital connectivity, the joint venture plans to expand submarine cable connectivity, further strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional digital hub. The strategic location of the data centre campus, just 16 kilometres from Singapore, will facilitate seamless cross-border data transfer and collaboration.

Beyond infrastructure development, TM and Nxera are committed to nurturing local talent. The partnership aims to create employment opportunities within the data centre industry and foster collaboration between universities in Singapore and Malaysia to develop specialized data centre curriculums. This investment in human capital will contribute to Malaysia’s long-term digital transformation goals.

The data centre campus is scheduled to commence commercial operations in 2026. With its focus on sustainability, AI readiness, and connectivity, this project is set to become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and a catalyst for economic growth.

However, it’s worth noting that TM’s shareholders have yet to approve the joint venture. In a statement via Bursa Malaysia, the shareholders will be voting on the matter in an upcoming extraordinary general meeting (EGM).

Business, News

TM and Singtel’s Nxera Join Forces to Empower Hyperscalers with AI-ready Data Centres

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The Malaysian data centre landscape is experiencing a surge in growth, with major players like Google, Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft all announcing significant investments. TM, Malaysia’s national telecommunications company, is continuing the surge with a partnership with Singtel’s regional data centre arm, Nxera, to form a joint venture focused on developing next-generation data centres in the country.

TM Nxera

This strategic partnership looks to address the evolving needs of hyperscalers, companies specializing in AI applications, and businesses accelerating their digital transformation journeys. The collaboration leverages the strengths of both companies: TM brings its extensive domestic network infrastructure and international subsea cable systems, while Nxera contributes its expertise in developing and operating hyperconnected, AI-ready data centres.

A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth

The joint venture’s initial project involves building a hyperconnected AI-ready data centre campus in Johor, strategically located just 16km from Singapore. Planned for a capacity of 64 megawatts (MW), with the ability to scale up to 200MW, this high-power density facility will cater to demanding workloads such as those required by cloud hyperscalers and GPU-as-a-Service providers.

The data centre will be built to meet the latest standards for reliability, security, and sustainability, with features like LEED certification ensuring energy efficiency. Additionally, its proximity to subsea cable links between Singapore and Malaysia positions it to support the digitalization efforts of both countries.

Server Racks on Data Center

“TM continues to demonstrate its dedication to delivering innovative and
sustainable solutions, marking a pivotal step in our aspiration to become a Digital
Powerhouse by 2030,” said Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer. “This will serve as a catalyst for high-performance computing and lay a solid
foundation for the future advancement of cloud and AI applications. This collaboration of two main telcos in the region is unique and has a positive impact on the development of a digital ecosystem that not only benefits the businesses but also nurtures future talent.”

Nxera’s Regional Expansion

Nxera, backed by Singtel and global investment firm KKR, views this partnership as a key step in its regional expansion plans. The company currently operates 62MW of data centre capacity in Singapore and is developing three additional AI-ready facilities in the region, including a new 58MW data centre in Tuas, Singapore. This partnership allows Nxera to leverage TM’s infrastructure and expertise to establish a strong presence in the growing Malaysian market.

“We are excited to enter the Malaysian market with TM as our strategic partner,” said Bill Chang, CEO of Nxera. “This collaboration advances our vision to be the region’s leading sustainable, hyperconnected AI-ready data centre platform, supporting businesses with the digital infrastructure they need for cloud, digitalization, and AI.”

A Sustainable Future for Data Centers

The TM-Nxera partnership highlights the growing importance of data centres in supporting Malaysia’s digital economy. This collaboration, along with investments from other major players, positions Malaysia as a key data centre hub in Southeast Asia. By focusing on sustainability and cutting-edge technologies, these data centres will play a crucial role in enabling businesses to thrive in the digital age.