Dialog Axiata inks deal to acquire Airtel Lanka

KUALA LUMPUR: Axiata Group Bhd’s Sri Lankan unit Dialog Axiata PLC will acquire rival telecommunications company (telco) Airtel Lanka from Bharti Airtel Ltd in exchange for 10.355% of the total issued shares in Dialog.

According to a joint statement, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka has granted its approval for the proposed merger between Dialog Axiata, the operator of Sri Lanka’s leading quad-play connectivity provider, and Airtel Lanka, which offers a 5G-ready 4G network across the country.

The parties said the transaction is subject to the approval of Dialog’s shareholders and is pending the completion of specific conditions outlined in the share sale agreement.

This includes clearance from the Colombo Stock Exchange and completion of other applicable legal, corporate and regulatory compliance procedures.

“This consolidation will enable the merged entity to garner economies of scale and reduce duplication of infrastructure, achieve synergies in technology and capital expenditure leading to enhanced highspeed broadband connectivity, voice and value-added services, cost savings and operational efficiencies.”

Axiata group chief executive officer (CEO) and managing director Vivek Sood said the merger between Dialog and Airtel Lanka is aligned to Axiata’s strategy of market consolidation and resilience.

“The merger will create value for the shareholders of Dialog Axiata PLC and Axiata Group through achievable synergies,” he added.

Meanwhile, Axiata’s CEO of telecommunications business and group executive director Hans Wijayasuriya said the merger brings together the strengths of two leading telco groups.

It bodes well for the growth and sustainability of Sri Lanka’s flagship telecom sector, he added.