Tag: Telecommunications

Indonesia – PT XL Axiata Tbk (XL Axiata), PT Smartfren Telecom Tbk (Smartfren), and PT Smart Telcom (SmartTel) have signed a definitive agreement for a landmark merger valued at IDR104 trillion (US$6.5b) in pre-synergy enterprise terms. 

The merger will establish PT XLSmart Telecom Sejahtera Tbk (XLSmart), a telecommunications powerhouse uniting the strengths of Indonesia’s leading operators. With enhanced scale, resources, and expertise, XLSmart aims to drive innovation, elevate service quality, expand digital infrastructure, and strengthen connectivity nationwide while fostering a more competitive market.

Under the merger, XL Axiata will serve as the surviving entity, with Smartfren and SmartTel merging into XLSmart. Axiata Group Berhad (Axiata) and Sinar Mas will jointly hold 34.8% stakes in XLSmart, sharing equal influence over its strategic direction and decision-making.

Vivek Sood, group chief executive officer of Axiata Group, commented, “We firmly believe that industry consolidation paves the way for a more connected Indonesia and ASEAN, bridging the digital divide to foster a thriving and inclusive future where communities and businesses flourish. This merger is an important step in laying the foundation for a robust digital economy. It will allow us to cater to the unique infrastructure service coverage, product offering, and quality of network experience. Synergies derived from mergers will improve shareholder value and will be partly reinvested in future growth opportunities.”

Franky Oesman Widjaja, chairman of Sinar Mas Telecommunications and Technology, also said, “The merger is a key part of our strategic effort to deliver significant added value to all stakeholders through excellent services, digital connectivity, and innovation, including supporting the Indonesian Government’s efforts in driving digital transformation. This aligns with the philosophy of unity for a greater purpose; as the saying goes, ‘If you want to go fast, you go alone; if we want to go far, we go together.’ At Sinar Mas, we often say, ‘Together, we go far, fast, and beyond.’ This brings added value to customers and employees while supporting the Indonesian Government’s efforts to encourage digitalisation.”

Axiata highlights that the merger will accelerate 5G, AI, and cloud adoption, enhance network quality, and promote sustainable competition, supporting Indonesia’s vision for a digitally inclusive future. It also aligns with government goals for efficient spectrum use and a healthier market structure.

The official statement from the company also noted that the merger will create diverse roles and growth opportunities for employees, fostering collaboration, prioritising career development, and ensuring a supportive, compliant work environment.

Meanwhile, customers will enjoy enhanced connectivity, faster speeds, and broader coverage. The merger will deliver competitive pricing, advanced digital services, and an expanded product portfolio tailored to consumers, MSMEs, and enterprises.

Dian Siswarini, president director & CEO of XL Axiata, shared, “By combining our resources, expertise, and market positions, we will enhance our competitive edge, drive innovation, and unlock new growth opportunities to build a better future together. This merger not only represents a commitment to strengthening Indonesia’s digital economy but also highlights our dedication to bridging the digital divide, expanding access to reliable telecommunications, and fostering a digitally inclusive society. With a shared vision and collective effort, we are poised to deliver value to shareholders, support the nation’s technological aspirations, and set new benchmarks in the telecommunications industry.”

Merza Fachys, president and director of Smartfren, added, “This merger is a carefully considered strategic move to create significant value for all our stakeholders, reflecting our concerted commitment to delivering superior services, enhancing digital connectivity, and driving innovation in the industry. Bringing these businesses together will build on our joint, long-term commitment to Indonesia, giving us the strength and scale to contribute meaningfully to the country’s digital ambitions. There is a clear opportunity for all of us to play a bigger role in this important journey for our country; we believe that by creating XLSmart, we can build on our joint, long-term commitment to customers and communities across Indonesia.”

Currently, the boards of XL Axiata, Smartfren, and SmartTel have approved the merger, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals, with completion expected in the first half of 2025. The parties are committed to a smooth transition, keeping employees, customers, and partners informed throughout the process.

CIMB and J.P. Morgan serves as financial advisor to select Sinar Mas entities, while Deutsche Bank and Maybank advise Axiata. Citibank acts as the financial advisor for XL Axiata.

Indonesia – Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH or Indosat) and Ericsson have launched the world’s first full-stack digital monetisation platform (DMP), marking a major step in Indonesia’s telecom digital transformation.

The DMP stack enabled a seamless migration of prepaid subscribers. As the first of its kind, the platform—part of Ericsson’s Telecom Business Support System (BSS)—empowers Indosat to enhance digital services, including 5G readiness and advanced B2B solutions.

With real-time monetisation, the platform empowers Indosat to meet diverse customer needs and opens doors for new business models that leverage 5G advancements—such as network slicing—to deliver customised connectivity for both consumer and enterprise markets.

Designed to serve around 100 million Indosat subscribers, the DMP achieved a key milestone with the seamless migration of millions of prepaid users in just 18 days, including an intensive, disruption-free 48-hour period.

Vikram Sinha, president director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said, “The successful deployment of the DMP was a testament to the spirit of ‘Gotong Royong’—a collaborative effort uniting all stakeholders toward our common goal. This partnership with Ericsson will assist Indosat to elevate the quality of services and provide a marvellous experience to our customers. Through real-time monetisation and a highly adaptable platform, we are enabling new business models that will fuel growth across the industry.”

Krishna Patil, president director of Ericsson Indonesia, also commented, “As a global ICT leader, Ericsson is committed to supporting Indosat in enhancing its digital offerings by providing the latest innovations with world-class technology. We are confident that, by deploying a full-stack DMP, Indosat can improve customer services while ensuring a smooth transition to the 5G network. Our long-standing partnership supports Indosat’s transformation and accelerates digitalisation across the country.”

This partnership supports Indosat’s mission to empower Indonesia by raising telecom standards, promoting economic growth, and enabling real-time monetisation to drive industry progress. By building a resilient, efficient telecom infrastructure, Indosat is strengthening digital inclusion and advancing connectivity nationwide.

Alongside the DMP launch, Indosat and Ericsson also signed an MoU at Innovate Asia 2024 to co-develop AI and ML innovations within the DMP and BSS ecosystems, aiming to accelerate monetisation, reduce time-to-market, and boost revenue growth with advanced AI-driven products.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Grey Malaysia has kicked off a nationwide campaign for Telekom Malaysia (TM) with the rollout of ‘Unifi’s UniVerse’, a comprehensive suite of its best convergence offerings. The UniVerse includes home internet, mobile, entertainment, and lifestyle solutions that have been tailored to meet the diverse demands of today’s digital-savvy consumers.

Accompanying the launch is the ‘Choose Your UniVerse’ brand film, demonstrating how the brand’s portfolio of products converge into a seamless ecosystem. Featuring a diverse cast of family members and individuals from all walks of life, ‘Choose Your UniVerse’ showcases how everyone can experience the best of everything all at once, empowering them to create a personalised universe that meets their unique digital needs.

The campaign also showcases the updated visual identity, structure, and product offerings of Unifi, which were originally unveiled during the launch of UNI5G – Unifi’s 5G mobile offerings. This continuation underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation and adaptation, ensuring a seamless transition into the future of connectivity for all Malaysians.

Anand Vijayan, chief business and consumer officer at TM, said, “UniVerse is our most comprehensive suite of packages, integrating connectivity, entertainment, and lifestyle solutions for home, work and play. As the champion of convergence in Malaysia, these new offerings enable connected communities, reflecting TM’s aspiration to become a Digital Powerhouse by 2030, and advancing our nation towards its next digital evolution.”

Meanwhile, Jeremy Yeoh, deputy executive creative director at Grey Malaysia, commented, “With ‘Unifi’s UniVerse,’ we’re evolving the brand to stay ahead of the game. It encapsulates the essence of Unifi’s quadruple platform play and solidifies our presence across all sectors we engage in.”

Singapore – M1, a telecommunications operator in Singapore, has introduced its new sonic branding with an unusual musical arrangement, designed to capture the soul of the brand. The warmth, genuineness, and individualised experiences that the firm values is being embodied in M1’s new sound identity. 

Its fundamental components, which include guitars and an acoustic ukulele, provide a relaxing setting that emphasises M1’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with its customers.

Moreover, smooth vocals and light percussion are added to create a more upbeat and sounding experience. The telco has also included ethnic instruments from China, Malay, and India into a custom version of the composition, which reflects the multicultural scene of Singapore. 

The musical arrangement is M1’s commitment to creating a “Made-to-Measure” brand experience. It is offered in both conventional and cultural versions. It displays the brand’s respect for the varied cultural mosaic that sets Singapore apart, in addition to reflecting its core principles of positivism, authenticity, and teamwork. M1 celebrates individuality and togetherness while attempting to build a personal connection with its listeners through this aural identity. 

The new musical identity of M1 will be incorporated into advertising campaigns, customer support correspondence, and digital channels. The goal of this integration is to give customers a consistent and memorable brand experience.

Speaking about the new brand identity, Mustafa Kapasi, chief operating Officer for M1, said, “Our new sonic identity is more than just a sound – it’s a reflection of our brand’s values and our deep connection to the people of Singapore. By celebrating diversity and authenticity through music, we aim to forge stronger emotional bonds with M1 customers and provide them a truly ‘Made-to-Measure’ brand experience.”

Manila, Philippines – Local telecommunication service provider Converge has announced a partnership with mobile phone and gadget retailer TL Sales and Management Services Inc. (TLSMS) to expand its distribution network, therefore expanding the provider’s retail network reach across 200 stores nationwide.

TLSMS has an expansive footprint in malls nationwide under the brand names Cellboy, Gaming Grounds, Cell Time, Games & Gadgets, Gadget Plus, BOMA Tech, and Cyber Center. These gadget stores are widely available in malls such as SM (in SM Cyberzones) and Ayala Malls.

Jesus C. Romero, chief operations officer at Converge ICT, said, “We are working hard to expand our channels at the moment. We’ve been looking at partners with a wide reach, to get as many customers as we can and we think we’ve found the right partner in TLSMS.”

He added, “Through their vast network of stores under their seven brands, which, by the way, are present in the country’s biggest malls, we will be able to bring our world-class fiber broadband connection even closer to customers.”

Meanwhile, Alvin Chu Teng, CEO at TLSMS, commented, “At the core of our partnership with Converge is a shared vision to empower Filipinos through technology. As a retailer, we offer more than just a mobile device; we offer a solution to enhance and simplify their digital lives. With this opportunity to sell Converge products and services, we are going a step further in this mission.”

Singapore – Telecommunications company Ericsson has announced the appointment of Daniel Ode as head of Ericsson for Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines and head of global customer unit for Singtel Group in Southeast Asia, Oceania & India.

In his new role, Ode will be responsible for driving Ericsson’s business and overseeing the company’s operations in these markets, and will be a member of the regional executive leadership team of Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India.

Prior to this appointment, Ode has been with Ericsson for more than 17 years and was serving as the acting head of customer unit for Northern and Central Europe, and head of GCU Telia Company. 

In these roles, Ode was leading Ericsson’s business with Telia Company in the Nordics and Baltics. He was driving the company’s business and operations towards Telia Company while managing this strategic partnership for the company.

With a wealth of experience in the telecommunications industry, Ode brings his knowledge and expertise to the new role with a diverse background that includes both international experience and a history of entrepreneurship, as he had once run his own entrepreneurial venture prior to his career in Ericsson. 

Commenting on his appointment, Ode said, “I am delighted to take on the role of leading our talented teams in Singapore, Brunei and Philippines and working with our customers in these markets to ensure that they stay at the forefront of 5G developments. We will leverage Ericsson’s technology leadership to contribute to the technological advancement and economic growth of these markets.”

Meanwhile, Nunzio Mirtillo, head of Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India, commented, “With his extensive experience of working in the telecom industry with Ericsson, I am confident that Daniel, together with his team, will continue to deliver on our commitment to support the Singtel Group and partner with service providers in Singapore, Brunei and Philippines towards delivering the full benefits of connectivity to customers and enterprises.”

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Telecommunications company CelcomDigi has announced a new update to its corporate branding, which focuses on the brand’s aspirations on leading innovation and digitalisation. The new rebranding also symbolises dynamism, passion for customers, and excellence by CelcomDigi.

The introduction of the new logomark is a key milestone in the company’s mission post-merger to find innovative ways to advancing Malaysians to achieve everything they aspire to and are inspired by.

Since the merger of Celcom and Digi in December 2022, both brands – now under a single corporate entity CelcomDigi Berhad – have continued to serve consumer and business customer seamlessly, integrating services and products, introducing new offerings, building the nation’s future digital network, and creating a winning organisation staffed by the country’s most talented Malaysians.

Datuk Idham Nawawi, chief executive officer at CelcomDigi, said, “Since the completion of our merger in December 2022, we have been progressively introducing new services, solutions, and innovation. Today, more than just a new livery, our new corporate brand symbolises a bold new chapter for our customers, for the nation, and for CDzens who power our organisation every day. It builds on our brand spirit – ‘Creating a world inspired by you’ – to embody three fundamental principles: dynamism, passion for customers, and excellence.”

He added, “We aspire for CelcomDigi to be a new innovation icon for the nation – an institution that has the scale and resources to be the nation’s digital growth engine, to grow local talents, to develop the local digital ecosystem, and to bring the best solutions, offers, and experiences to our customers, and to be a brand that customers can trust and rely on in the age of ‘digital-everything’.”

Manila, Philippines – Local telco player DITO Telecommunity has named Ernesto “Eric” R. Alberto as its new chief executive officer as the current one Dennis Uy has announced that he is stepping down from said role.

In a recent disclosure by the company, Alberto’s appointment marks his leadership transfer from most recently being the president of DITO CME, the information and communications technology (ICT) sector holding firm of the Udenna Group.

Following this, Donald Patrick Lim–most recently the chief operating officer at DITO CME–has been named the acting president for DITO CME.

“Eric’s wealth of experience in senior capacities in the banking and telecoms sectors spanning several decades, will be very valuable in his new role as DITO Tel CEO. His appointment comes at an opportune time as we continue to maintain the Company on a high-growth trajectory,” Uy said.

The new leadership changes come recently after DITO recently secured a US$3.9b loan to fund the rollout of its network expansion.

“With the recent equity infusions at the DITO CME level and DITO Tel’s signing of the US$3.9 billion longterm project finance facility, we have further confidence in DITO CME and DITO Tel achieving their business plan targets at the soonest possible time,” Uy concluded.

Seoul, Korea – Telco companies SK Telecom (SKT), Deutsche Telekom, e&, and Singtel have united to establish the Global Telco AI Alliance, aiming to propel the telecommunications industry into a new era of AI-driven transformation and improved customer experience.

The alliance, marked by a Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony in Seoul, signifies a strategic commitment to collaborate and innovate in AI technology.

Ryu Young-Sang, CEO of SKT, expressed his excitement about the alliance, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize business models, provide new value to customers, and drive growth within the global AI ecosystem.

Moreover, the Global Telco AI alliance focuses on jointly developing the telco AI platform, integrating diverse technologies to create advanced AI services for telecom, digital assistants, and super apps with dynamic features for customers.

In a statement, Yuen Kuan Moon, Singtel’s CEO, and Khalifa Al Shamsi, CEO of e& Life, believe AI has vast potential to transform the telecommunication landscape and assured customers that the alliance is committed to fast-tracking innovative AI services for businesses and consumers.

Further, Claudia Nemat, board member technology and innovation at Deutsche Telekom, highlighted the importance of the alliance in bridging the gap between Europe and Asia while pursuing an open-vendor approach, ensuring the utilization of the best technology for specific applications.

Meanwhile, key executives of each company were present in person and online to endorse the historic initiative.

Singapore – Singaporean telecommunications company Singtel has been named the world’s sixth strongest telecoms brand in Brand Finance’s Telecoms 150 list, which ranks the most valuable and strongest telecoms brands globally. 

The placing crowns a year of significant achievements for Singtel, seeing it move up three spots globally from the ninth position last year with an improved score of 88.3 out of 100 while retaining its Triple-A rating from last year. 

Brand Finance attributes Singtel’s stronger brand equity to its fast and robust 5G network, consistent customer experience via its website and apps, and value-for-money products and services for both consumers and enterprises. Singtel also scored well for the familiarity of its brand and brand recall. 

According to the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s latest report on customer handling, Singtel also had the lowest complaint rate for its mobile services among network operators, as well as the lowest complaint rate for fixed broadband services in December 2022.

In terms of brand value, Singtel also grew, climbing up three spots from 40th in 2022 to becoming the world’s 37th most valuable telecoms brand. Brand Finance said this is due to resilient mobile service revenue, the brand’s improved brand strength index and favourable economic factors, such as the lower cost of capital in Singapore.

“Singtel has strengthened its brand leadership significantly in the past year. Its commitment to 5G, consistent customer service and coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has seen it climb the ranks within the global top ten telecoms brands,” said Alex Haigh, Brand Finance’s managing director for Asia Pacific.

Haigh also said that the improved perceptions of Singtel’s 5G capabilities and coverage, good digital offerings, and greater recall of its branding and promotional activities are particularly noteworthy.

Lian Pek, Singtel’s vice president of strategic communications and brand, also said, “It’s very encouraging to be roundly recognised for values that really matter to us as a brand – the quality of our 5G leadership, value for money products and services, strong brand and ad recall and high familiarity scores.”

Pek added, “The goal has always been to empower our customers with the best-in-class technology and services. As the digital landscape and customer expectations keep changing, we will continue to invest and innovate to deliver on our value proposition of creating the best digital experiences that our network and services are capable of.”

Last year, Singtel has also been named Singapore’s strongest brand by Brand Finance’s 2022 ranking of the country’s top 100 brands.