Close Menu
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    • Home
    • Leadership Alliance
    • Exclusives
    • Internet Governance
      • Regulation
      • Governance Bodies
      • Emerging Tech
    • IT Infrastructure
      • Networking
      • Cloud
      • Data Centres
    • Company Stories
      • Profiles
      • Startups
      • Tech Titans
      • Partner Content
    • Others
      • Fintech
        • Blockchain
        • Payments
        • Regulation
      • Tech Trends
        • AI
        • AR/VR
        • IoT
      • Video / Podcast
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Home » Indonesian telcos merge to create XLSmart
    YC-backed-Finny
    YC-backed-Finny
    IT Infrastructure

    Indonesian telcos merge to create XLSmart

    By Ava YangDecember 12, 2024No Comments2 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    • XL Axiata and Smartfren’s merger forms XLSmart, making it Indonesia’s third-largest telecom operator with 94.5 million subscribers.
    • The deal enhances competition and supports Indonesia’s digital transformation through improved connectivity and innovation.

    What happened: XL Axiata and Smartfren join forces to strengthen Indonesia’s 5G landscape

    XL Axiata and Smartfren have signed a $6.5 billion merger agreement, creating a new telecom entity called XLSmart. This merger consolidates their operations, with XLSmart starting as the third-largest telecom operator in Indonesia. The new entity will have an estimated 94.5 million subscribers and a 27% market share, rivaling leading operators Telkomsel and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. The deal is expected to close by mid-2025, with both companies confident of regulatory approval.

    The merger will see Smartfren and its subsidiary absorbed into XL Axiata. Parent companies Axiata Group and Sinar Mas will jointly control XLSmart, each holding a 34.8% stake. To balance ownership, Axiata will receive $475 million over two installments, with part of the payment contingent on the first year of operations.

    Also Read: Indonesian cyberattack exposes rising threats in Southeast Asia
    Also Read: PT Abhinawa Sumberdaya Asia: Defending Indonesia’s data

    Why it’s important

    The merger between XL Axiata and Smartfren to form XLSmart signifies a pivotal moment in Indonesia’s telecommunications sector. By consolidating resources, XLSmart can invest heavily in advanced technologies, particularly in accelerating 5G deployment. This supports the government’s ambitions to make Indonesia a regional leader in digital connectivity and innovation.

    Moreover, the formation of XLSmart introduces a stronger competitor to challenge the dominance of Telkomsel and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. Increased competition can lead to more affordable services and better customer experiences for Indonesian consumers. XLSmart’s large subscriber base and projected synergies also set the stage for more efficient operations, reducing costs while expanding coverage in underserved regions.

    On a broader scale, this merger emphasizes Indonesia’s growing importance in the global digital economy. As digitalization becomes central to economic growth, robust telecom infrastructure is critical for enabling e-commerce, remote work, and tech-driven industries, all of which will benefit from a strengthened XLSmart network.

    AI Indonesian telcos XLSmart
    Ava Yang

    Ava is a passionate inter reporter at BTW Media with a Master’s from the University of Leeds. She combines technical skills with creativity to share insights through analysis and storytelling. Contact her at a.yang@btw.media.

    Related Posts

    Australia’s regulator gives final nod to Vocus–TPG fibre deal

    July 8, 2025

    Trump Media launches Truth+ streaming with Newsmax

    July 8, 2025

    Vocus secures government greenlight for $3.4B TPG telecom deal

    July 8, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    CATEGORIES
    Archives
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023

    Blue Tech Wave (BTW.Media) is a future-facing tech media brand delivering sharp insights, trendspotting, and bold storytelling across digital, social, and video. We translate complexity into clarity—so you’re always ahead of the curve.

    BTW
    • About BTW
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team
    TERMS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.