AXIATA GROUP BERHAD

AXIATA GROUP BERHAD stands as one of Asia’s leading telecommunications and digital conglomerates — a Malaysian-born enterprise that expanded beyond borders to shape connectivity across the region.

Originally incorporated in 1992 as TM International Berhad, the company began as the international and mobile telecommunications arm of Telekom Malaysia before evolving into an independent regional powerhouse. Through decades of expansion, strategic investments, and technological transformation, Axiata developed from a telecommunications operator into a diversified digital infrastructure and connectivity group operating across multiple Asian markets.

Today, Axiata serves hundreds of millions of users through an ecosystem spanning mobile telecommunications, digital platforms, fintech, analytics, and infrastructure services — positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most influential digital connectivity groups.

Founder:

Telekom Malaysia Berhad

Current Leadership:

Group CEO & Managing Director: Vivek Sood

The leadership continues guiding the Group with a vision of becoming a next-generation digital champion across Asia by integrating telecommunications, infrastructure, and digital innovation into a unified regional ecosystem.

Every regional giant begins as a single extension of vision — and Axiata’s story began as an arm reaching beyond national borders.

In 1992, TM International Berhad was established to manage Telekom Malaysia’s international and mobile telecommunications ventures, representing one of Malaysia’s earliest strategic moves into regional connectivity and cross-border telecommunications expansion. At a time when mobile communication across Asia was still in its early growth phase, the company positioned itself to participate in the rapid digital transformation unfolding throughout emerging Asian markets.

As mobile adoption accelerated across Southeast and South Asia, the organisation expanded aggressively into regional markets through investments, partnerships, and telecommunications network development. This expansion laid the foundation for a multinational telecommunications footprint spanning countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Nepal.

A defining transformation arrived in 2008 when the company separated from Telekom Malaysia and became independently listed on Bursa Malaysia. Shortly after, in 2009, the organisation officially rebranded as Axiata Group Berhad. This transition represented more than a corporate restructuring — it marked the emergence of a new identity focused not merely on telecommunications services, but on becoming a regional force shaping Asia’s digital future.

From mobile connectivity to digital ecosystems and infrastructure development, Axiata’s evolution reflected the broader transformation of telecommunications into the backbone of modern digital societies.

Core Activities:

• Mobile and digital telecommunications services

• Digital businesses including fintech, analytics, and digital platforms

• Telecommunications infrastructure including towers and network services

The Group operates under a “Triple Core” strategy integrating connectivity, digital services, and infrastructure development. By combining telecommunications operations with digital innovation and infrastructure investments, Axiata positions itself as a diversified regional digital ecosystem provider serving both consumer and enterprise markets.

Notable Offerings Include:

• Regional mobile network operations including CelcomDigi, XL, Dialog, and Robi

• Digital platforms and fintech services such as Boost and ADA

• Infrastructure services through edotco tower networks

• Cross-border telecommunications and digital connectivity solutions

These offerings position Axiata as a comprehensive telecommunications, digital platform, and infrastructure ecosystem operating across multiple Asian markets.

1992 – Incorporated as TM International Berhad

2008 – Demerged from Telekom Malaysia and listed independently on Bursa Malaysia

2009 – Officially rebranded as AXIATA GROUP BERHAD

2010s – Significant expansion across Southeast Asia and South Asia telecommunications markets

2020s – Strategic transformation into a digital platform and infrastructure-focused regional group

Axiata has played a major role in expanding digital connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure across emerging Asian markets.

The Group contributed significantly to improving mobile communication accessibility, accelerating internet penetration, and supporting digital inclusion across millions of underserved populations throughout the region. Beyond telecommunications, Axiata also invested heavily in digital platforms, fintech ecosystems, analytics services, and infrastructure development that supported broader digital economy growth.

Through initiatives in tower infrastructure, mobile financial services, and regional connectivity, Axiata helped bridge digital divides while contributing to the advancement of Asia’s evolving digital ecosystem. Its multinational presence further positioned Malaysia as a significant participant within the broader regional telecommunications industry.

Today, AXIATA GROUP BERHAD stands as a regional connector — a testament to how a Malaysian-born enterprise can expand beyond borders to help shape the digital future of Asia.

From its origins as a telecommunications extension of a national operator to its emergence as a diversified multinational digital group, Axiata’s journey reflects the transformative power of connectivity within modern societies. Its continued evolution demonstrates how telecommunications, infrastructure, and digital innovation together form the foundation of future economic and social development across the region.