At M1, conversations with corporate clients now centre on strategic business transformation rather than solely on connectivity needs.
“Enterprise customers want outcomes, so they are looking for a partner who can handle everything from connectivity, cloud, data centres and tech solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI). We can deliver that by integrating M1’s connectivity, Keppel’s data centre infrastructure and AsiaPac’s ICT solutions into a seamless one-stop offering,” says Andrew Cheng, chief of Enterprise Services at M1 and CEO for AsiaPac.
To deliver comprehensive end-to-end value, M1 provides consultancy services that help organisations rewire their operating models, regardless of digital maturity. The approach is anchored in a playbook, shaped by AsiaPac’s hands-on experience with end-to-end government and enterprise digital transformation projects.
“This is why enterprise customers view us as a consultant and solutions provider, not just a telco,” Cheng tells The Edge Singapore.
M1’s consultative approach, rooted in the playbook, is gaining traction. Last year, the company announced a partnership with Seatrium to expand 5G connectivity across its yard operations in Singapore. The enhanced network infrastructure will support a range of next-generation applications, including smart video analytics, AI, digital twin technology, and real-time Internet of Things (IoT) integration.
This builds on an earlier collaboration that piloted 5G-enabled use cases such as augmented and virtual reality smart glasses within one of Seatrium’s yards in Singapore.
See also: StarHub rolls out ScamSafe to help block scam calls and SMSes
Meanwhile, M1 is working with SSI Solutions to support Vietnam Maritime Corporation (VIMC) in digitising its operations in the country. The collaboration will explore applications such as tele-remote control of equipment, automated guided vehicle enhancements, and advanced surveillance systems.
VIMC cited M1’s proven experience in deploying 5G for industry-specific use cases as a key reason for the partnership.
M1’s expertise was first demonstrated in 2022 when it deployed a standalone 5G network to trial and develop new maritime 5G use cases under the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore’s Innovation Lab and the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s innovation and ecosystem testbed programme.
Beyond these projects, M1 is seeing growing interest in its integrated, outcome-focused model from both government agencies and private-sector organisations. The momentum is reflected in its financials: combined contributions from M1 Enterprise Services, AsiaPac, and Glocomp generated $531 million in revenue for FY2024. In 1QFY2025 alone, the trio collectively posted $133 million in revenue.
Digital transformation playbook
AsiaPac’s playbook or framework covers seven initiatives, which include:
- Leveraging ready-to-use selected cloud services to accelerate digital adoption and enhance user experience across enterprise functions.
- Creating and provisioning secure, zero-trust networks with selected connectivity partners to ensure high-performance connectivity globally.
- Modernising legacy systems to a modern and security-focused architecture via application programming interface gateways, digital decoupling, and microservices.
- Streamlining internal operations through unified dashboards, automation, AI, integrated helpdesk systems, and more.
- Consolidating siloed data sources and facilitating data access to enable analytics and generate insights to drive data-driven decision-making.
- Enabling organisations to leverage AI/machine learning solutions efficiently, securely, reliably, and at scale.
- Helping organisations achieve their sustainability goals by drawing on Keppel’s sustainability expertise, such as utilising public cloud platforms and solutions that offer low-PUE (or Power Usage Effectiveness under 1.2).
M1’s knowledge and expertise in digital transformation are also drawn from its own journey. “We’ve streamlined 300 legacy applications to 30 cloud-native ones, as well as created a unified data lake of over 200 databases [for real-time analytics and AI use]. Telco is the toughest [industry] to transform. Despite the [steep] learning curve, we did it with everyone’s effort,” says Cheng.
He adds that stakeholder buy-in, cultural alignment, and change management are the key success factors to digital transformation. “When I talk to our customers’ board members and CEOs, I tell them: before I take the project, I need an executive sponsor and all the stakeholders must agree to it. The culture of the company must also be ready [for the transformation] – every division must have someone in charge to be actively involved in the project/journey.”
The value of partnerships and ecosystem
To stay ahead of the latest tech trends, click here for DigitalEdge Section
M1 is vendor-neutral when helping clients, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution and companies need to keep pace with evolving business and regulatory requirements as well as tech advancements. It therefore works with various technology partners — including Amazon Web Services, Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, Dell, Huawei, Ericsson, and Nokia — to tailor solutions that align with each organisation’s architecture, compliance needs, and growth priorities.
Most recently, its subsidiary, Glocomp Systems, became the national distributor for Nvidia in Malaysia. The partnership aims to broaden access to advanced computing and AI technologies for businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions across the country.
This initiative complements Glocomp’s GC360 managed services platform, which provides comprehensive support for digital infrastructure, encompassing deployment, compliance, and ongoing performance management. The combined offerings enable organisations to confidently adopt AI and cloud solutions, ensuring security, scalability, and operational efficiency.
M1 has also adopted a distributed model built around specialised hubs and partnerships with local players across Southeast Asia.
Cheng says that Singapore serves as M1’s central kitchen, which houses hybrid/ multi-cloud, data centre modernisation, AI and quantum-safe network capabilities. Meanwhile, its Malaysia operations are strong in cybersecurity and regional network deployment, while its Vietnam team is skilled in storage implementation and deploying GPU-as-a-Service.
“Putting all their strengths together allows M1 and AsiaPac to go for big multinational projects. We also have partners that help deploy our solutions in markets where we don’t have Centres of Excellence, such as Taiwan and Indonesia. Supported by Keppel’s 35 data centres globally, those partnerships and our ecosystem form a unique value proposition to our customers, especially those seeking digital transformation in more than one market,” says Cheng.
Futureproofing the region
Cheng notes a healthy balance in their clientele, with approximately half from the government sector and the other half from private enterprises, a distribution he believes is unique in the market. The company’s success in delivering complex projects for Singapore’s public sector (such as restricted cloud deployments and GPU-as-a-Service) serves as a significant case study for other countries in the region, leading to inquiries and requests for advice.
In terms of business size, 80% of M1’s enterprise revenue comes from large enterprises. Cheng aims to increase the SME segment to 40%, recognising the significant need for support among smaller businesses.
“A lot of customers out there need help, especially the smaller SMEs. AsiaPac used to be an SME, so we understand what SMEs need and how much they can invest. This enables us to develop customised solutions for them [that are not over-engineered or overly expensive.]” In line with that, M1 is offering a platform with AI-embedded modules (such as for hiring and procurement) that SMEs can subscribe to.
As part of its efforts to keep pace with emerging technologies, AsiaPac has formed a dedicated team to explore quantum computing, with a particular focus on quantum-safe networks. The team is being trained by Nokia Singapore in AI operations for data centre connectivity and post-quantum cryptography. These capabilities are aimed at enhancing the efficiency, scalability and security of AI data centres.
“I believe that quantum computing will mature within the next five to 10 years as there’s a lot of research on it,” Cheng says, drawing a parallel to the early days of cloud computing. “We need to ensure we have quantum-safe networks to protect the data centres (at the very minimum) before quantum computing becomes mainstream [and cyber criminals use it to decrypt sensitive information and compromise highly secured systems]. Instead of riding on the tech wave, we must always be in front of the wave.”
He adds: “My vision is to turn M1 into a Singapore Inc. company that leads the region in enterprise technology services” — one that is agile, results-oriented and a trusted partner for organisations seeking to futureproof their operations.
