Celcom

Celcom started its operation as Cellular Communications Network (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. in 5 January 1988 with Fleet Holdings, which was led by Tun Dr. Abdul Daim Zainuddin (then-parent company of TV3, NSTP, and Bank of Commerce Berhad/BCB) and Telekom Malaysia as shareholders. Subsequently, Telekom Malaysia sold its 51% shareholding to the Technology Resources Industries, a company owned by Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli. Fleet Holding's share was transferred to the {{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} which was later sold to TRI. In the initial years, Celcom experienced tremendous growth in subscriber base and network coverage under the stewardship of Rosli Man, the President of the company. It was during his tenure that Celcom turned into the leading cellular company in Malaysia. Rosli Man left Celcom in 1996.

When the cellular phone market was opened up in 1995, Celcom upgraded to the GSM900 service and quickly grew to become the largest mobile phone company in Malaysia. Competition soon set in, and several digital mobile carriers competed for market dominance of the cellular phone industry.

During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Celcom's owner, Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli suffered a debt crunch, and his shareholding in Celcom was seized by Danaharta, the national asset restructuring company. Failure to resolve his debts resulted in the controlling stake in Celcom being sold to Telekom Malaysia, the government-owned incumbent fixed-line operator in 2003. Telekom Malaysia proceeded to merge Celcom with its own mobile-operator subsidiary TMTouch through a reverse takeover of TMTouch.

Celcom was originally listed on the Bursa Malaysia, but after the merger with Telekom Malaysia Berhad, it has since remained private.

Owing to the inferior management of its former management, Celcom was found liable by an arbitration panel in Switzerland for infringing an agreement signed with Deutsche Telekom AG's unit, DeTeAsia in 2002. The tribunal ruled that Celcom was liable to pay DeTeAsia US$177.2 million in principal plus US$16.2 million in interest as well as other legal and arbitration costs. The total sum was about RM740 million, leaving Telekom Malaysia to intensify its efforts at recovering monies from Celcom's previous owners.

On 21 June 2021, Axiata and Telenor agreed to a potential merger of Celcom and Digi to create a stronger telco in Malaysia, coming after advanced discussions that took place two months earlier.{{cite web |title=Axiata, Telenor and Digi Sign Transaction Agreements for the Proposed Merger of Celcom and Digi |url=https://www.axiata.com/media/news/axiata-telenor-and-digi-sign-transaction-agreements-proposed-merger-celcom-and-digi |website=Axiata |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=21 June 2021}}{{cite web |title=Axiata and Telenor in Advanced Discussions to Merge Celcom and Digi |url=https://www.axiata.com/media/news/axiata-and-telenor-advanced-discussions-merge-celcom-and-digi |website=Axiata |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=8 April 2021}}{{cite web |title=Axiata, Telenor, Digi sign agreements to merge Malaysian mobile ops |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/06/21/axiata-telenor-digi-sign-agreements-to-merge-malaysian-mobile-ops |website=The Star |access-date=21 June 2021 |date=21 June 2021}} The deal was approved by both Celcom and Digi shareholders on 18 November 2022. The merged company is named CelcomDigi. At completion, Axiata and Telenor hold equal ownership of 33.1% each in the newly merged company. The merger was completed on 30 November 2022 and the company began its operation the next day.[https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2022/11/18/axiata-shareholders-approve-proposed-celcom-digi-merger Axiata shareholders approve proposed Celcom-Digi merger][https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2022/11/18/digi-gets-shareholders039-green-light-for-proposed-merger-with-celcom Digi gets shareholders' green light for proposed merger with Celcom][https://www.nst.com.my/business/2022/12/856517/axiata-telenor-complete-celcom-digi-merger Axiata, Telenor complete Celcom-Digi merger][https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/axiata-telenor-announce-completion-celcomdigi-merger Axiata, Telenor announce completion of Celcom-Digi merger][https://finance.yahoo.com/news/axiata-telenor-announce-successful-completion-101900485.html Axiata and Telenor Announce the Successful Completion of the Celcom and Digi Merger][https://www.telenor.com/media/newsroom/announcement/historic-merger-marks-new-chapter-in-malaysias-digitalisation-journey-we-are-in-pole-position/ Historic merger marks new chapter in Malaysia’s digitalisation journey: "We are in pole position."]

Celcom operates 2G EDGE, 4G LTE, 4G LTE-A and 5G NR networks.

Celcom has broader and more extensive coverage nationwide in Malaysia, compared to other cellular operators. In 2006, Celcom claimed its dual-band GSM (900/1800 MHz) coverage had reached over 98% of Malaysia's populated area, and 100% through satellite coverage.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2006/05/19/reasons-celcom-cant-achieve-100-coverage/|title=Reasons Celcom can't achieve 100% coverage}}

In 2006, Celcom launched the first 3G service in Malaysia, covering most major towns where there is a Telekom Malaysia telephone exchange and either HSDPA or EDGE services within {{convert|15|mi|km|adj=on}} radius (GSM UMTS maximum allowed range) with GPRS as basic data coverage.

In 2013, the 4th generation standard of FDD-LTE was deployed gradually nationwide. The initial license is only on the 2,600 MHz band. In the second quarter, its 1,800 MHz band has been redeployed to cater for both 2G and 4G.

In 2015, Celcom offers 2G, 3G, 4G LTE services on its postpaid and Xpax prepaid brands.

In April 2016, the Celcom CEO told MalaysianWireless that both Ericsson and Huawei would build the Celcom 4G network in Klang Valley from 2016 till 2020. As for other states, Ericsson would build the 4G network in Sabah & Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang. Huawei would focus on Penang, Perlis, Perak, and Johor.{{cite web|url=http://www.malaysianwireless.com/2016/04/ericsson-huawei-celcom-4g-lte-a-network|title=Ericsson & Huawei are the new Celcom 4G LTE Network Partners, LTE-A deployment by 31st October}}

In 2017, Celcom had a 90% nationwide mobile service coverage with 3G availability expanding from Klang Valley, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Kulim, and Penang.{{cite web|url=https://www.axiata.com/media/upload/investors_relations/2016/pdf/Corporate_Profile_Axiata_2016.pdf|title=Annual Report 2016}}

As of March 2018, Celcom improved its network experience considerably, especially with the expansion of its 4G and 4G LTE-A population coverage to 88% and 76%.{{cite web|url=https://www.telecomasia.net/content/axiata-group-swings-372m-q1-loss|title=Axiata Group swings to $37.2m Q1 loss}}

Back in 2015, Celcom has 3500 4G LTE sites in the country. The Telco aims to offer up to 80% human population coverage by the end of 2016, and 95% of 4G LTE coverage by 2020.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/04/27/celcom-axiata-ties-up-with-ericsson-and-huawei-to-upgrade-lte-network|title=Celcom Axiata ties up with Ericsson and Huawei to upgrade LTE network }} Celcom 4G LTE network coverage stood at 94% nationwide while 4G LTE-A coverage is at 90%, as of quarter 3 of 2021.

Network merged and becomes CelcomDigi

Celcom Broadband is Malaysia's most popular mobile broadband provider, with 1.534 million subscribers as of the first quarter of 2015. The broadband network covers 86% of Malaysia's populated areas.

Celcom Broadband was awarded the prestigious Frost & Sullivan's Mobile Broadband Provider for two years.{{cite web|url=http://www.vanityshack.com.my/pride/2010/06/04/celcom-doubled-industry-growth-in-all-key-areas/|title=Celcom Doubled Industry Growth in All Key Areas|access-date=26 March 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424000316/http://www.vanityshack.com.my/pride/2010/06/04/celcom-doubled-industry-growth-in-all-key-areas/|archive-date=24 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}

Kolony, launched by Celcom on 8 April 2011 was the first-ever SMS-based social networking service in Malaysia.[https://archive.today/20130221025747/http://www.mmail.com.my/story/record-quarter-celcom Record quarter for Celcom | The Malay Mail] Kolony targeted Malaysian youths and those that wanted to be connected to their family and friends frequently by using their mobile phone.{{Cite web |url=http://www.xpax.com.my/ |title=XPAX |access-date=18 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930114739/https://www.xpax.com.my/ |archive-date=30 September 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} It ran on the regular SMS-based platform, allowing users to participate in social networking activities using the most basic mobile phones with or without a 3G connection.[https://kolony.com.my/kolony/web/index.php Kolony] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011092942/https://kolony.com.my/kolony/web/index.php |date=11 October 2012 }} It is a service consisting of a multi-user environment, including software and websites. After only a few weeks of its launch, Kolony recorded a total of 1.5 million subscribers.[http://marketing-interactive.com/news/25960 Marketing, Celcom releases Kolony infestation][http://www.adoimagazine.com/v2/index.php/features/117-feature/6990-kolony-is-now-malaysias-top-10-on-google-search Akeeba Backup Installer 3.6.12]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Adoimagazine.com. Retrieved on 18 September 2013.

On 4 June 2015, Celcom launched its latest Xpax limited edition simcard package, the Magic SIM. A RM5 Xpax Magic SIM starter pack comes with free basic internet, free 200 MB of high-speed internet, and 20 free minutes free calls and SMS or SMS to Celcom numbers.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2015/06/04/Celcom-Axiatas-Xpax-unveils-magic-sim/?style=biz|title=Celcom Axiata's Xpax unveils Magic SIM |access-date=4 June 2015}}

On 19 December 2016, Celcom revamped its prepaid plan with the more simplified XPAX #NoKelentong. It removes data restrictions on application usage, 4G only weekend data and off-peak only data.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2016/12/19/celcom-xpax-nokelentong-prepaid/|title=Celcom unveils new Xpax prepaid with hashtag #NoKelentong]|access-date=26 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.soyacincau.com/2016/12/19/xpax-prepaid-nokelentong-official-celcom/|title=Xpax Prepaid now simplified with #NoKelentong|access-date=26 April 2018}}

On 15 March 2018, Celcom launched postpaid home wireless broadband.{{cite web|url=https://technave.com/gadget/Celcom-now-offering-Home-Wireless-plans-for-up-to-64-devices-150GB-in-data-and-1TB-in-Walla-11694.html|title=Celcom now offering Home Wireless plans for up to 64 devices, 150GB in data and 1TB in Walla|access-date=26 April 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.celcom.com.my/personal/broadband/celcom-home-wireless|title=Celcom Home Wireless|access-date=26 April 2018}}

On 29 January 2018, Celcom launched Yoodo, a brand marketed as a hybrid of conventional prepaid mobile plans.{{cite web|url=https://support.yoodo.com.my/hc/en-us/articles/115001927053-What-is-Yoodo-|title=What is Yoodo|access-date=9 April 2020}}

Celcom is the Malaysian partner of the Vodafone mobile community. Celcom's past CEO, Dato’ Seri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly, had been with Celcom since 2005. Ramly left on 31 August 2016 to become the CEO of Telekom Malaysia on 1 May 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/03/21/tm-appoints-shazalli-as-new-md-and-group-ceo|title=TM names Shazalli as new MD and group CEO|access-date=21 March 2017}} Michael Kuehner was appointed as the current CEO of Celcom with effective on 1 September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/08/31/axiata-firm-on-kuehners-appointment-as-ceo|title=Axiata firm on Kuehner's appointment as new CEO of Celcom Axiata|access-date=31 August 2016}}

On 28 September 2007, Telekom Malaysia announced a revamp of its mobile communication units which include Celcom. The revamp plan was to group Celcom under TM International, which houses other TM regional mobile units and defines it as a separate business entity. The restructuring exercise was completed by Q1 2008 and the new business unit listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange by Q2 2008.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/tminternational/update-2-malaysias-tm-international-falls-on-debut-idUSKLR16675520080428 |title=UPDATE 2-Malaysia's TM International falls on debut |website=Reuters |date=28 April 2008 |access-date=7 December 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.tm.com.my/annualreport/downloads/ar2007.pdf |title=Annual Report 2007 |publisher=Telekom Malaysia |pages=16–19 |access-date=7 December 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Story/A1Story20070928-27509.html |title=Telekom Malaysia to split mobile and fixed-line ops into two firms |website=AsiaOne |date=28 September 2007 |access-date=7 December 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2007/09/29/telekoms-foreign-strategic-partner-may-emerge-after-revamp#TeaKG5T0iSUerELz.99 |title=Telekom's foreign strategic partner may emerge after revamp |website=The Star (Malaysia) |date=29 September 2007 |access-date=7 December 2019}}

TM International was renamed as Axiata Group{{Cite web |url=https://www.lankabusinessonline.com/name-change/ |title=Name Change |website=LBO |date=16 April 2010 |access-date=7 December 2019}} as part of a telecom consortium in Southeast Asia. Its stock exchange code is AXIATA.

In January 2018, Celcom Axiata Bhd CEO Michael Kuehner said the proposed merger between Telekom Malaysia and Axiata Group 'made sense', but it is still up to the shareholders to make the final decision.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/01/25/tm-axiata-merger-makes-sense-says-celcom-ceo|title=TM, Axiata Merger makes sense, says Celcom CEO|access-date=25 January 2018}}

As of the first quarter of 2018, Celcom has 9.6 million subscribers in Malaysia. Celcom subscribers dropped from 10.25 million in Q12017.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/business/1q18-roundup-telcos-see-subscribers-service-revenue-decline|title=1Q18 roundup: Telcos see subscribers, service revenue decline

|author=Sharmila Ganapathy|date=31 May 2018

|access-date=31 May 2018}}

In that quarter, Celcom's ARPU for postpaid was RM87, and prepaid ARPU stood at RM34.{{cite web|url=https://www.malaysianwireless.com/2018/02/celcom-mobile-subscribers-million-4q17|title=Celcom Mobile Subscribers now at 9.56 million at the end of 2017 (4Q17)|access-date=23 February 2018}}

In 2019, The Edge reported that Axiata Group Bhd and Norwegian Telenor Group are in talks to merge their operations in Asia. It is learnt that post-merger, Axiata will be a shareholder of the merged entity, which is expected to be an investment holding company that owns the enlarged regional mobile service operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/axiata-and-telenor-talks-merge-asian-operations|title=Axiata and Telenor in talks to merge Asian operations|access-date=6 May 2019}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Malaysia mobile phone companies}}

{{Telecommunications in Malaysia}}

{{Axiata Group}}

{{Asia Mobility Initiative}}

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Category:1988 establishments in Malaysia

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