Maxis-Astro announce tie-up to offer content and fiber broadband

• Consumer demand for converged connectivity with multi-play propositions
• Both companies see leading entrepreneur, Ananda Krishnan as shareholder

In a major development that will shake up competition in the broadband and content space Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (Astro) and Maxis Communications Bhd, have announced a strategic marketing partnership between both parties to offer bundled broadband with content. Astro will be launching new bundles of 30 Mbps and 100 Mbps broadband and content products for its customers today and the full suite with higher broadband speeds in due course. Both companies count leading Malaysian entrepreneur, Ananda Krishnan, as a major shareholder.

The two companies describe the partnership as timely as it occurs at a period where demand for converged connectivity matters more than ever with multi-play propositions that bundle connectivity, content and service. They tout the tie-up leveraging on both their strengths to bring greater value and benefits for customers. At the same time the collaboration will create new revenue streams and unlock new markets by maximising the talent and resources at both companies, while driving scale and efficiency.

Astro touts itself as Malaysia’s leading content and consumer company, serving 2.3 million individuals in 5.7 million households (77% of Malaysian households). This is on top of its 16.7 million weekly listeners across its radio stations.

"We are excited about this partnership with Maxis. Customers will see significant value and benefits from this proposition which brings compelling content with high-speed fibre connectivity. The partnership will provide our customers better connected experience especially for On Demand viewing, allowing them to enjoy over 50K shows via set top boxes and on mobile devices,” said Henry Tan (pic).

Gokhan Ogut, CEO of Maxis said, “We are highly motivated by the demands for great connectivity behind our Fibrenation campaign, as more and more Malaysians show themselves to be digital natives. We are now seeing a demand for more family-oriented offerings and a wider range of digital services. This is a new era of connectivity – Convergence.  Our new partnership with Astro will give our customers another reason to choose Maxis Fibre and accelerate our convergence strategy by offering fibre to even more homes in Malaysia.” 

Customers can sign up at www.astro.com.my and www.maxis.com.my  to register their interest.