Telecom Lead Asia: Mobile service provider SingTel
may acquire non-phone businesses in China, India or the U.S. as
it is looking to shift focus from slower-growing core markets in Singapore and
Australia.
The service provider may raise its stakes in associates
in Asia and Africa and make other strategic investments.
The carrier plans to boost investments in emerging
markets and adds businesses at its digital services division as the Optus
unit in Australia faces continued intense competition and growth slows at home.
When we look at acquiring the technology know how in the
start up space, we could be looking at quite a few different places. It could
be startups in Silicon Valley, California or in countries such as
India and China,” said Chua Sock Koong, chief executive officer of SingTel.
Despite 25% lower contribution from Airtel, SingTel revenue up
4.2% to S$18.82 billion in 2011-12
Despite a significant decline in Airtel’s pre-tax
contribution, Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) Group posted S$18.82
billion revenue in fiscal 2011-12, up 4.2 percent against S$18 billion a year
earlier.
In Q4, the SingTel Group posted revenue of S$4.7 billion,
up 3 percent, as compared to S$4.6 billion a year earlier.
In March, Singapore Telecommunications acquired
U.S.-based Amobee, a provider of mobile advertising solutions,
for $321 million.
This was the company’s first major acquisition since
2007. The acquisition was aimed at expanding into mobile advertising technology
and services.
SingTel owns all of its domestic business and Optus,
Australia’s second-largest phone company, and has minority stakes in associated
carriers in more than 10 countries in Asia and Africa.
