Maxis and U Mobile are reportedly back in discussions over a possible combination, bringing a long-running Malaysian telecommunications merger story back into focus. No agreement has been announced.
Bloomberg, in a report carried by The Edge on 28 October, cited people familiar with the matter as saying Maxis had invited proposals from selected banks and law firms for a potential transaction.
A possible combination, with no certainty
The report said both sides appeared more willing to negotiate and that advisers could be appointed soon. It also stressed that discussions were continuing and might not produce an agreement.
Sources cited by Bloomberg suggested U Mobile’s owners could seek a valuation of at least RM10 billion. That is a reported negotiating expectation, rather than an agreed purchase price.
A combination could create Malaysia’s largest mobile operator by market value, according to the report. That description concerns valuation; it should not be read as a confirmed ranking for subscriber numbers, coverage or network performance.
Maxis responds to the report
In a later response to Bernama, reported by Malay Mail, Maxis neither confirmed nor denied the merger story. It said it continually assesses strategic opportunities and partnerships that add value, and would disclose material corporate developments to the market when necessary.
What this means for customers
The report does not announce changes to Maxis or U Mobile plans, billing, SIM cards or customer accounts. There is no published merger completion date or customer migration timetable in the material reviewed.
Any eventual proposal would still need concrete terms and the relevant approvals. For now, customers should treat the story as a report about renewed discussions and wait for formal company announcements before drawing conclusions about their services.
Sources: Mdroid, Bloomberg via The Edge, Bernama via Malay Mail.
