Celcom

Celcom was a Malaysian telecommunications operator that became one of the country's most established mobile-network brands. It originated as Cellular Communications Network (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. on 5 January 1988, during the early development of Malaysia's cellular market. The company was among the limited number of operators initially licensed to provide cellular services and helped introduce mobile telephony nationally through an analogue ART-900 service based on the United Kingdom's ETACS technology. Its early network used the 010 prefix. The company expanded substantially as Malaysia opened its cellular market to greater competition in the mid-1990s. Celcom upgraded to GSM900 and subsequently added GSM1800, enabling wider capacity and more conventional digital mobile services. Under the leadership of Rosli Man during its formative growth period, the operator built a large subscriber base and extensive network coverage, becoming a leading Malaysian cellular provider. It later developed a broad portfolio spanning postpaid and prepaid mobile services, mobile broadband, enterprise connectivity, rural communications, satellite telephony and mobile virtual-network services. Celcom's ownership changed significantly during the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s. Financial difficulties affecting its then-controlling shareholder, Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli, led to the seizure of the relevant shareholding by Danaharta, Malaysia's national asset-management and restructuring institution. Telekom Malaysia subsequently acquired control in 2003 and combined Celcom with its mobile subsidiary TMTouch through a reverse-takeover structure. Celcom was originally Bursa Malaysia-listed, but it ceased to remain independently listed after the Telekom Malaysia transaction. A further corporate reorganisation placed Celcom within TM International, Telekom Malaysia's international mobile grouping. TM International was separated and later renamed Axiata Group, making Celcom part of Axiata's regional telecommunications portfolio. The brand continued to invest in network modernisation, moving from GSM and 3G to nationwide 4G LTE and LTE-Advanced services, while also participating in Malaysia's later 5G ecosystem. Its consumer offerings included the Xpax prepaid brand, postpaid mobile plans, home wireless broadband and the customisable digital-mobile brand Yoodo. Celcom's defining commercial characteristics were broad Malaysian coverage, strong rural reach and a combination of conventional mobile, data and broadband products. In addition to its consumer business, it supplied connectivity for enterprises and specialised users. It also launched Kolony in 2011, an SMS-based social-networking service designed to work with basic mobile phones, and introduced various promotional prepaid packages aimed at younger and value-conscious customers. Axiata and Telenor agreed in 2021 to pursue a merger of Celcom and Digi's Malaysian operations. Shareholders approved the transaction in November 2022. Completion occurred on 30 November 2022, with operations under the new CelcomDigi entity beginning on 1 December. Celcom therefore ceased to operate as a standalone telecommunications company, although its customer relationships, network assets, products and brand heritage continued to form part of the combined business. The Yoodo brand was discontinued in 2024 in connection with merger-related commitments, with users directed to continue through CelcomDigi arrangements.

Celcom began operations on 5 January 1988 as Cellular Communications Network (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. Its original shareholders included Fleet Group and Telekom Malaysia. The company was one of the early recipients of a Malaysian cellular licence and introduced mobile telephony through the ART-900 analogue network, using ETACS technology and the 010 numbering prefix. During its first period of expansion, Celcom increased coverage and subscribers under president Rosli Man. When the Malaysian cellular market became more competitive in 1995, the company upgraded to GSM900 and soon expanded to GSM1800. Digital technology allowed Celcom to increase capacity, broaden coverage and compete more effectively with newer mobile operators. The company subsequently added mobile broadband, enterprise services and specialist connectivity, including rural CDMA facilities and satellite-phone services. The 1997 Asian financial crisis created a major ownership disruption. Tan Sri Tajudin Ramli, whose company controlled Celcom, encountered debt problems, and the relevant stake was taken over by Danaharta. Telekom Malaysia acquired control in 2003 and merged Celcom with TMTouch through a reverse takeover. This transaction removed Celcom from independent public-market status. In 2007, Telekom Malaysia announced a restructuring that placed Celcom within TM International, a separate mobile and international-telecommunications grouping. The restructuring was completed during 2008. TM International was subsequently renamed Axiata Group, and Celcom became one of the principal operating companies in Axiata's regional portfolio. Network development remained central to the brand. Celcom launched Malaysia's first 3G service in 2006, progressively deployed FDD-LTE from 2013 and expanded LTE-Advanced thereafter. By the late 2010s, the company promoted extensive population coverage and operated across 2G, 3G and 4G technologies. Its products included postpaid services, Xpax prepaid, Celcom Broadband, home wireless broadband and digital offerings such as Yoodo. The company also experimented with mobile social networking through Kolony, an SMS-based service launched in 2011. Celcom's corporate history ended as an independent chapter when Axiata and Telenor combined Celcom and Digi. The transaction was agreed in 2021, approved by shareholders in November 2022 and completed on 30 November 2022. CelcomDigi commenced operations the next day. Celcom's standalone corporate identity was consequently absorbed into the merged operator, while its network, customer base and brand legacy continued within the new group.

1. 2024Yoodo discontinued

   The Yoodo brand was discontinued after the CelcomDigi merger, while users were supported through CelcomDigi.

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2. 2022CelcomDigi merger completed

   The merger completed on 30 November, with the combined company beginning operations on 1 December.

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3. 2021Merger agreement with Digi announced

   Axiata and Telenor agreed to pursue a combination of Celcom and Digi.

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4. 2018Home wireless broadband introduced

   Celcom launched a postpaid home wireless broadband service.

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5. 2013LTE deployment begins

   Celcom began deploying FDD-LTE, initially using the 2600 MHz band and later redeploying 1800 MHz capacity.

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6. 2011Kolony launched

   Celcom introduced an SMS-based social-networking service for users of basic mobile phones.

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7. 2008Integration into Axiata structure

   The TM International restructuring was completed, followed by the group's renaming as Axiata.

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8. 2006First 3G service

   Celcom launched 3G service in Malaysia and expanded broadband-capable mobile coverage.

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9. 2003Telekom Malaysia gains control

   Telekom Malaysia acquired control and combined Celcom with TMTouch.

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10. 1995Upgrade to GSM

    Celcom moved into GSM900 as Malaysia's cellular market opened to stronger competition.

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11. 1988Company established and mobile service launched

    Cellular Communications Network (Malaysia) began operations and introduced ART-900 analogue cellular service.

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A broad-coverage Malaysian mobile operator emphasising nationwide connectivity, rural reach, mobile data and accessible prepaid services.

• XpaxPrepaid mobile

  Celcom's principal prepaid brand offered mobile voice, messaging and data services. It was periodically refreshed through simplified plans and promotional packages, including Magic SIM and the #NoKelentong revamp. Xpax targeted value-conscious consumers and helped Celcom compete in Malaysia's highly competitive prepaid market.

• Celcom BroadbandMobile broadband

  A mobile-broadband service using Celcom's cellular network to provide internet access beyond fixed-line connections. It was marketed as a nationwide connectivity product and served consumers requiring portable data access.

• Celcom Home WirelessFixed wireless broadband2018

  A postpaid home-broadband service launched in 2018. It used mobile-network connectivity to provide household internet access, offering an alternative where fixed broadband was unavailable or less practical.

• YoodoDigital mobile service2018

  Yoodo was a digitally oriented mobile brand launched in 2018. Customers could configure plans by selecting data, calls, SMS and optional add-ons through a digital interface. The brand was later discontinued following the CelcomDigi merger.

• KolonyMobile social networking2011

  Kolony was an SMS-based social-networking service launched in 2011. It was designed for young Malaysians and people using basic phones, allowing participation without requiring a smartphone or 3G connection.

• 2016Xpax Magic SIM

  Malaysia

  Celcom promoted a limited-edition Xpax starter package combining basic internet access, a small high-speed data allowance and voice or SMS benefits.

  Outcome. Product promotion

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• 2016Xpax #NoKelentong

  Malaysia

  Celcom simplified its prepaid proposition by removing restrictions tied to application usage, weekend-only data and off-peak access.

  Outcome. Prepaid-plan repositioning

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• 2021Agree to combine Celcom and DigiM&A

  Axiata and Telenor sought to create a larger and stronger Malaysian telecommunications operator by combining their respective mobile businesses.

  What changed. They agreed to pursue the merger, later obtaining shareholder approval and completing the transaction.

  Aftermath. CelcomDigi began operations in December 2022, ending Celcom's existence as a standalone operator.

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• 2013Deploy FDD-LTEGeneration change

  Growing demand for mobile data required a transition beyond 2G and 3G capacity.

  What changed. Celcom progressively deployed FDD-LTE, initially on 2600 MHz and later using redeployed 1800 MHz spectrum.

  Aftermath. The operator expanded 4G and LTE-Advanced coverage across Malaysia.

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• DeTeAsia arbitration disputeControversy

  An arbitration panel in Switzerland held Celcom liable for infringement of an agreement with DeTeAsia, a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary. The award included US$177.2 million in principal, US$16.2 million in interest and further legal and arbitration costs. The dispute also prompted Telekom Malaysia to seek recovery from former owners.

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• 2024Yoodo brand discontinued after merger commitments

  CelcomDigi discontinued the Yoodo brand in connection with commitments associated with the Celcom-Digi merger. Existing users were allowed to continue using services through CelcomDigi.

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• 2022Celcom and Digi merger completed

  Axiata and Telenor completed the combination of Celcom and Digi, creating CelcomDigi. The new company began operating on 1 December 2022, with both parent groups holding equal 33.1% stakes at completion.

  M&A
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• 2022Shareholders approve Celcom-Digi combination

  Celcom and Digi shareholders approved the proposed merger on 18 November, clearing a major corporate step before completion.

  M&A
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• 2021Axiata and Telenor agree to pursue Malaysian merger

  Axiata and Telenor announced an agreement to explore combining Celcom and Digi into a larger Malaysian telecommunications operator.

  M&A
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1. Celcom