Axiata Group Berhad is the emerging leader in Asian mobile telecommunications. The Group, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the region, has extensive operations and businesses in 10 countries in Asia, providing a comprehensive range of mobile communication services to a combined base of over 94 million subscribers.
The Group currently has controlling interests in its mobile communications operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Cambodia as well as strategic stakes in India, Singapore, Iran, Pakistan and Thailand through its various subsidiaries and affiliates. Its mobile subsidiaries and affiliates operate under the brand names "Celcom" in Malaysia, "XL" in Indonesia, "Dialog" in Sri Lanka, "AKTEL" in Bangladesh, "hello" in Cambodia, "Idea" in India, "M1" in Singapore and "MTCE" in Iran.
The Axiata story has been a remarkable one – incorporated in Malaysia on 12 June 1992 as a private limited company under the name Telekom Malaysia International Sdn. Bhd., it commenced business in 1994 as a division within Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), focusing on expanding the Group’s footprint primarily through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). On 16 October 2001, the Company changed its name to TM International Sdn. Bhd., and over the next seven years continued to expand its presence in the region, building a portfolio which balances interest in emerging markets with low mobile penetration rates and Best-in-Class and innovation driven subsidiaries in mature markets. On 12 December 2007, the Company was converted into a public company bearing the name TM International Berhad (TMI).
The Group completed its strategic demerger exercise that saw the separation of the mobile business from TM. The demerger resulted in TMI emerging as an independent entity in the regional mobile telecommunications market, enabling it to focus on its own core business and accelerate operational improvements and growth initiatives. TMI was listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on 28 April 2008, marking a new chapter in its transformation towards becoming a regional giant in the mobile communications market.
Since then, the Group has continued to build on its strengths and synergies. As part of its move to consolidate and strengthen its regional footprint, the Group entered into an arrangement with Idea Cellular Limited (Idea), which will see the merger of Idea and Spice Communications Limited (Spice) in India. The enlarged Idea is the fifth largest mobile player in India’s high growth market. With this in place, the Group has now shifted its focus significantly more towards organic growth by nurturing and developing its existing operations.
The Company has, with effect from 31 March 2009, changed its name to Axiata Group Berhad and launched its new identity on 2 April this year, as part of a rebranding exercise aimed at enhancing its position as a leading regional mobile operator. The move was a requisite step to reinforce the Group’s new business philosophy and its commitment to advancing Asia by addressing the unfulfilled communication needs of local populations with affordable and innovative products and services.
As an emerging leader, Axiata will continuously invest in innovative products and services that are uniquely catered for customers in Asia. It is committed to bringing first-class resources, technology and expertise to its unique portfolio of growth assets. In all spheres of its operations, Axiata’s Operating Companies (OpCos) play a leading role in developing and enhancing the local telecommunications industry.
As a Group, Axiata is a unique organisation, combining the local expertise of national operating companies with the strong support of a regional corporation. Through affordable connectivity, Axiata bridges relationships between 1.5 billion people across Asia to the world.
Because it understands Asia, Axiata is piecing together the best throughout the region in connectivity, technology and people, uniting them towards a single goal: Advancing Asia.
For Whistle-blowing purposes, please email to: Wisel@axiata.com