ACCELERATING DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT
The telecommunications industry is one of the fastest evolving fields, making the world considerably smaller. The main cause of the evolving technology is the vital work of telecommunications infrastructure companies (TowerCos)
alongside mobile network operators (MNOs), which provide greater coverage and expansive connectivity.
The increasing importance of and demand for mobile broadband has created a decisive opportunity for TowerCos, as they instil connectivity
to not just everyday users, but also aid governments in achieving their national digitalisation aspirations.
The burgeoning developments of the telecommunications industry have pointedly accelerated since the inception of 5G technologies.
Subsequently, the position of TowerCos is instrumental in effectively utilising the potential of 5G connectivity.
“The onus is on TowerCos to enable a 4G/5G revolution, as they play an active role to be internally prepared
and externally advocatory to policymakers and the regulators. This ensures that regulators can enable the revolution to occur through TowerCos’ strategic relation to MNOs.
“Without TowerCos, the evolution will still happen but at a materially
slower pace,” establishes Kevin Chong, Director of EDOTCO Group (EDOTCO) Digital and Analytics.
A 5G REVOLUTION
EDOTCO is on hand to seize the opportunity presented by the advent
of 5G, as it plays a pivotal role in the Malaysian digital economy, where the company first established its roots in 2012.
Since then, EDOTCO has become a leading integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company, with the capability to deliver end-to-end solutions from tower leasing, colocation, buildto-suit, energy, transmissions and maintenance. Through such varied responsibilities, it remains Asia’s first regional and integrated TowerCo. With a steadfast workforce of 2,000 employees, expansion is at the heart of the organisation. In the last decade, EDOTCO has grown beyond Malaysia’s borders to encompass nine establishments across Southeast Asia. Consequently, the company
EDOTCO –SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES
Sustainability has been a cornerstone of EDOTCO since its establishment in 2012 as it is inextricably linked to its purpose and vision. The company has a key focus to become carbon neutral by 2030, which will be achieved through three strategic areas:
• Environmental – managing the environmental impact of digitalisation and decarbonisation.
• Social - creating meaningful stakeholder relationships by focusing on labour and community.
• Governance - upholding diligent standards and best practices that go beyond shareholders and protect wider stakeholder interests.
has developed a regional portfolio of over 54,000 towers across Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos in just 10 years.
Such rapid and successful expansion has resulted in the company attaining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) unicorn status, whilst also being named one of three Malaysian unicorns by Credit Suisse.
CONNECTING THE UNCONNECTED
As an integrated TowerCo, whose socio-economic impact far exceeds that of an MNO, EDOCTO takes great responsibility in helping nations accelerate digital transformation. This is achieved with the principal goal of helping its customers accelerate equitable access to digital connectivity.
In order to navigate its way through uncharted waters of growth, EDOTCO strives to connect the unconnected.
“With the introduction of 5G, Malaysia’s digital economy is on
the precipice of a significant shift in progress. This, alongside the nation’s policies and blueprints, such as the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital), is key in spearheading the nation’s digital transformation journey,” Chong highlights.
In conjunction with the transformative effects of technology, EDOTCO has had a substantial socioeconomic impact. For example, the company can create value for MNOs by saving approximately 16 to 35 percent of capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) potential, correlating to USD$10 billion savings in key Asian markets by 2025. As a result, consumers can access a higher quality connection with faster network rollouts, all whilst enjoying a price reduction.
Furthermore, TowerCos are found to have a positive impact on digital development, as EDOTCO facilitates higher internet penetration for underserved areas that results in innovation and GDP growth, as it presents the potential to create an economic benefit of USD$67 billion
for Asia. Thus, the power of TowerCos cannot be underestimated, not only for their economic benefits, but also their sustainable effects. Indeed, TowerCos are expected to reduce carbon footprint by five to 17 million tonnes, due to infrastructure sharing in selected Asian markets.
The next-generation infrastructure implemented by EDOTCO has provided equitable access across markets since its inception.
“EDOTCO uses its proprietary Network and Planning Analytics (NaPA) tool to provide insights into potential locations for newer tower sites and reduced building time. NaPa uses powerful geocoding and analytics to generate coordinates with granularity and accuracy,” Chong explains.
To select the most appropriate sites for MNOs, NaPA overlays three datasets. Firstly, the demand dataset identifies factors such as population
size, settlements, and points of interest. Secondly, the supply dataset provides each MNO with subscriber data and coverage signal strength. Finally, NaPA’s matching module identifies whether there are nearby EDOTCO sites which can be used for site sharing.
Aligning with its strategised approach to technological innovations, EDOTCO also has a certified corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative which works to make connectivity accessible to remote communities and provide further support to those where the company operates.
This is conducted via threesubsects that have become a significant part of the company. For example, the Tower2Power, which was launched in 2016, has enhanced the lives of over 24,000 people, through the offering of electricity to homes and schools. Furthermore, the Tower2Community project
FIVE PILLARS OF EDOTCO’S LONG-TERM PEOPLE STRATEGY
Cultivating a coopetition culture: Having the highest levels of emotional pride, collaboration and purpose whilst instilling an intrapreneurial and ownership mindset to win. This includes a focus on shifting an individual’s frame of mind from that of an employee, to an owner of a highperforming entrepreneurial sports team.
Supercharging a future workforce: Balanced integration of EQ, IQ and DQ (Digital and Data Quotient). It is important to have mastery of skills as an enabler to higher autonomy and a sense of purpose (intrinsic motivation) for the workforce.
Humanising the digital experience: Infusing digital tools into human interactions to drive the highest levels of engagement and efficiency. The company is currently in the midst of engineering distinct experience across the employee lifecycle via an in-house “Returns on Experience” tool (predictive ROIs for each initiative across the employee lifecycle).
Creating a ‘5R’ organisation: Right people, right competencies, right jobs, and right cost level at the right time to improve agility and speed of decision making.
Becoming the global people champion: Becoming responsible corporate citizens and setting the future people and organisation benchmarks, beyond maximising profits and shareholder value.
