India: Reliance Communications cutting staff
Reliance Communications is planning to considerably reduce its staff by axing 37% of its 15,000 people workforce by the end of July 2014. The move is part of the company’s plan to cut costs and increase its profitability. As a result of the axe, both its call centre and shared services operations will be outsourced.
India: Aircel launches 4G services
Aircel is the second operator to launch 4G services in the country after Bharti Airtel, which started its 4G LTE offering in 2012. The third network operator in India, Reliance Jio Infocomm, should launch its 4G services in September.
Indonesia: Nusantara Infrastructure expanding its portfolio
The Indonesian towerco is currently looking at increasing its portfolio via acquisitions and greenfield projects. The company is looking at buying 250 towers in 2014, bringing its total count to 750. Nunsantara Infrastructure is rumoured to be bidding for XL Axiata’s portfolio.
Indonesia: XL Axiata divesting its towers
XL Axiata, second ranked operator of the country, is getting ready to sell part of its tower assets. The company has invited bidders to express their interest to acquire part of its 8,000 tower portfolio. XL Axiata acquired PT Axis Telekom earlier this year and the tower sale will contribute to raise funds to pay part of the company’s debt.
Indonesia: SMN raising capital for new tower projects and acquisitions
SMN is raising US$ 332 million to be used to finance its subsidiary Protelindo new tower projects across the country. Protelindo is planning to build up to 2,000 new towers in 2014 and SMN is looking at acquiring a stake in Mitratel.
Thailand: LTE auction on hold
The LTE auction planned for August has been suspended by the National Broadcasting & Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) as ordered by the military National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). NCPO reportedly requested the suspension in order to assess the transparency of the regulator.
Myanmar: Yoma increases its stake in Digicel
YSH Finance, subsidiary of Yoma Strategic Holdings, is increasing its stake in Digicel Asian Holdings from 8% to 25%. Digicel Asian Holdings is currently developing telecom towers in Myanmar and is partially owned by Caribbean operator Digicel Group.
Myanmar: Ooredoo rumoured to acquire a stake in Digicel Myanmar Tower Company
Ooredoo Myanmar is rumoured to potentially acquire 10% in Digicel Myanmar Tower Company (MTC). The operator has previously signed a deal with Digicel’s tower company to roll out wireless infrastructure across Myanmar.
Malaysia: U Mobile leasing antenna space on edotco’s assets
Rumours suggest that U Mobile, fourth mobile operator of the country, has signed an agreement with edotco to lease antenna space on its towers. Under the deal, edotco would provide antenna space as well as power and O&M services.
Vietnam: MobiFone towards privatisation while Vinaphone undergoes restructuring
MobiFone could be privatised before the end of 2014, rumours report. The national government is due to approve the privatisation of the second largest operator of the country which will lead to its separation from state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications (VNPT).
The government is also pushing VNPT to restructure Vinaphone, the third operator in Vietnam. The restructuring process is aimed at improve the status of the telecom industry and increase its competition.
Bangladesh: New spectrum auctions planned for 2015
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is appointing a special committee to draft the licensing guidelines for a 450MHz mobile frequency auction to take place in 2015, after the 700MHz band is auctioned. The two auctions will allow mobile operators to extend their network coverage at a lower cost.
China: A towerco for China
Media reports suggest that the Chinese government may centralise passive infrastructure into a newco owned by China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. The resultant towerco would initially be focused on building, owning and maintaining new shared BTS sites, but with the potential to have an estimated US$30bn+ worth of existing towers transferred to it. There has been no confirmation of the plan from the Chinese government.
Cambodia: Cambodian operators could be forced to sell infrastructure
Rumours suggest that the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Cambodia (MPTC) is drafting a law forbidding mobile operators to own ?network ?infrastructure assets. Cambodian newspapers suggest that the law will force mobile operators to sell off their assets and utilise government-controlled infrastructure companies. If approved, the new law could be implemented before the end of this year.
