Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says telcos must adapt to quantum and satellite tech, shifting from traditional models to remain competitive.
KUALA LUMPUR: Telecommunications companies must urgently transform their business models to face new technological challenges.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the rapid evolution of quantum communications, quantum encryption and satellite technology will reshape the industry within five to 10 years.
He said these new modes of communication will bring significant security and economic challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges will be how telcos need to find a way to transform,” Fahmi said during his speech at the MCMC 2025 Scholarship Awards ceremony.
He advised the industry to shift from traditional to technology-based models, aligning with global sector evolution.
Fahmi cited Telekom Malaysia’s transition from conventional telephone services into a technology company as an example.
“In the past, when we mentioned Telekom Malaysia, we would pick up a telephone receiver… but today we say TM, and there is no phone. Now it is a technology company,” he said.
He said the trend for telecommunications companies will likely be a shift from telco to tech-co.
Fahmi also advised young professionals to master emerging fields like quantum and satellite technology to ensure future competitiveness.
Earlier, he presented scholarships to 25 students under the MCMC LEGASI and MCMC CARE programmes.
He said these scholarships reflect MCMC’s long-term commitment to developing highly skilled talent for the communications sector.
Regarding scholarships for Palestinian students, Fahmi said MCMC will collaborate with the Palestinian Embassy to identify candidates.
The initiative will offer five Palestinians the opportunity to study network or radio engineering at Multimedia University.
Priority will be given to eligible youth from Gaza, Ramallah, the West Bank and Nablus.
