Axiata and XL Axiata Complete Acquisition of 66.03% of Link Net’s Shares in Indonesia

• Link Net will be poised to capitalise on growing enterprise market
• Portfolio serves 2.4 mil customers includes government, financial services

Axiata Group Bhd and PT XL Axiata Tbk, yesterday completed the acquisition of the combined 66.03% equity interest in PT Link Net Tbk for approximately RM2.63 billion. The purchase consideration was at IDR4,800 per ordinary share in Link Net or approximately IDR8.72 trillion (US$597 million) for the 66.03% equity interest in Link Net. This translates to a value of about IDR13.21 trillion (equivalent to approximately RM905 million) for 100.00% equity interest in Link Net.

With this acquisition, Link Net and XL Axiata will be well-positioned to leverage immediate synergies through their combined positions in wireless communication services, sharing of backbone and transmission networks and extensive relationships with customers in Indonesia. Coupled with XL Axiata’s enterprise offerings including mobile connections, Link Net will be poised to capitalise on the growing enterprise market in the country.

Link Net’s President Director and CEO, Marlo Budiman said, “Together with our new partners we look forward to being able to provide converged fixed line broadband and mobile service propositions to both our residential and enterprise clients. There is opportunity for significant synergies from the sharing of backbone and transmission networks and strategic alignment on revenue enhancement and cost efficiency measures.”

Axiata’s Joint Acting Group CEOs Dr Hans Wijayasuriya and Vivek Sood said, “The completion of the Link Net acquisition marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Axiata’s operations in the region. As we welcome Link Net into the Axiata Family, we strengthen our position as a Regional Digital Champion in the delivery of Converged Telecommunication Services in line with our ethos of ‘Advancing Asia’.”

They also expect the experienced team at Link Net to accelerate growth opportunities within existing as well as under-served areas. 

XL Axiata’s President Director & CEO, Dian Siswarini said, “We are very excited about the potential and possibilities this acquisition will unleash. Since the announcement, we have identified multiple areas of synergies that can be unlocked together, leveraging our collective strength in mobile connectivity, fixed broadband and content. This will support us in achieving our vision to be a leading converged operator by providing seamless integrated solutions to our increasingly digitally-savvy customers.”

Obligated to undertake a mandatory tender offer

Post-completion of the acquisition, Axiata Investments (Indonesia) Sdn Bhd (AII), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Axiata, and XL Axiata hold 46.03% and 20.00% respectively from the combined 66.03% equity interest in Link Net. Axiata’s total effective equity interest in Link Net held via AII and XL Axiata is 58.33% post completion of the acquisition.

AII will now be obligated to undertake a mandatory tender offer (MTO) to acquire the remaining 33.97% equity interest in Link Net pursuant to regulatory requirements in Indonesia. Details of the Proposed MTO will be announced in due course and it is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.

Based on independent market research by Analysys Mason Pte Ltd, Indonesia is one of the most attractive fixed broadband markets globally, significantly underpenetrated at 13.4% in terms of household penetration.

The average data consumption per connection on fixed broadband networks has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 44.4% from 2016 to 2020 and is expected to continue increasing at a CAGR of approximately 27.9% from 2020 to 2026. Indonesia is also one of the fastest growing broadband markets in the world with fixed connections poised for significant expansion at a CAGR of approximately 14.4%. Furthermore, household penetration is expected to increase to 27.5% by 2026, driven by a growing addressable market, escalating data use and the robust growth in Indonesia’s disposable income per capita.

Link Net’s network coverage extends across the populous cities of Indonesia including Greater Jakarta, Sumatera Island, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Bali. In addition to a network that reaches about 2.9 million homes, its enterprise portfolio serves approximately 2,400 customers which includes government, financial services, and large multinational corporate institutions, as well as digital businesses.

It commenced commercial operations in 2000 and has demonstrated a strong operational and financial track record through the years. For the financial year ended 31 December 2021, on a year-on-year basis Link Net’s revenue rose 10.3% to approximately IDR4.5 trillion (approximately RM1.3 billion).

Link Net is among the leading providers of high-speed broadband and cable TV in Indonesia, reaching 2.9 million homes across 23 cities, serving approximately 855,000 broadband and approximately 837,000 cable TV customers respectively.