XLSmart
XLSmart is an Indonesian mobile telecommunications operator formed through the combination of XL Axiata and Smartfren.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
XLSmart, legally PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk, is an Indonesian telecommunications operator headquartered in Jakarta. The company is the successor to PT XL Axiata Tbk, which itself developed from PT Excelcomindo Pratama Tbk, and was created through the combination of XL Axiata and Smartfren. Its ownership structure brings together Malaysia-based Axiata Group and Indonesia’s Sinar Mas conglomerate. The company traces its corporate origin to 6 October 1989, when it was established as PT Grahametropolitan Lestari, a trading and general-services business. It later shifted into telecommunications and became Indonesia’s first private mobile-services operator when it began commercial cellular operations on 8 October 1996. The original network used GSM 900 technology. Subsequent licensing expanded the business into DCS 1800 mobile services, internet-service-provider operations and voice-over-IP services. XL received a 3G license in 2006 and introduced 3G services in September of that year. A major ownership and identity change occurred in 2009, when Axiata acquired XL. The transaction linked the Indonesian operator to Axiata’s regional telecommunications portfolio and was accompanied by a revised visual identity. XL later introduced a new logo and promoted its 4G LTE service at the end of October 2014. In 2016, the company marked its twentieth anniversary with another logo-color change, returning to a blue-and-green scheme associated with earlier XL branding. Before its combination with Smartfren, XL Axiata operated as one of Indonesia’s largest mobile-network companies. XLSmart’s service portfolio spans consumer and enterprise mobile communications, home broadband and fixed connectivity. Its network architecture includes 2G GSM, 4G LTE, 5G NR and optical-fiber infrastructure. The company operates three principal consumer-facing brands: XL, Axis and Smartfren. Coverage includes Java, Bali and Lombok, together with major population centers and surrounding areas in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. On 11 December 2024, XL announced an agreement to combine with Smartfren in a transaction described as having a value of IDR 104 trillion. The transaction was intended to create a larger Indonesian telecommunications operator, with XL as the surviving entity and the corporate name changing to PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera. Shareholders approved the proposed combination at an extraordinary general meeting on 25 March 2025. The completion date was set for 16 April 2025. On the same day, the board appointed Rajeev Sethi as president director. Following the combination, the company was described as Indonesia’s third-largest mobile telecommunications operator. Reference material reports more than 209,000 base transceiver station towers and approximately 58.8 million subscribers in 2025. XLSmart’s strategic proposition is based on combining mobile scale, broader network resources and multiple consumer brands while extending broadband access across Indonesia. Its infrastructure activities also include participation in submarine-cable projects linking Indonesia with regional and international networks.
History
XLSmart’s corporate history begins on 6 October 1989, when the business was incorporated as PT Grahametropolitan Lestari. It initially operated in trading and general services rather than telecommunications. The company later entered Indonesia’s mobile market and began commercial operations on 8 October 1996 under the XL identity, becoming the country’s first private mobile-services operator. Its initial cellular platform used GSM 900 technology. The operator expanded its regulatory and technical footprint in the following years. It received authorization to deploy a DCS 1800 network and to provide internet-service-provider and voice-over-IP services. In 2006, it obtained a 3G license and launched 3G services in September. These additions broadened the company from a basic mobile-voice provider into a wider communications and data business. In 2009, Axiata Group acquired XL, creating a closer connection between the Indonesian company and the Malaysian telecommunications group’s regional operations. The ownership change was accompanied by a revised logo that incorporated Axiata-related branding. XL continued to update its identity as network technology developed. In October 2014, it introduced a new logo alongside the launch of its 4G LTE service. In October 2016, the company marked twenty years of commercial operations by changing its logo colors to blue and green. The XL business subsequently operated as XL Axiata and maintained a substantial Indonesian mobile network. Its geographical coverage included Java, Bali and Lombok, as well as major cities and nearby regions in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Its services expanded across mobile voice, messaging, data, broadband and fiber-related connectivity. The consumer portfolio was organized around the XL and Axis brands. The company also participated in regional connectivity infrastructure. In cooperation with Telekom Malaysia and Mora Telematika, it worked on a high-capacity submarine cable between Malacca and Batam via Dumai. The project, led by Huawei Marine Networks, was completed in the fourth quarter of 2011. XL Axiata also partnered with Nextgen Group and other parties on the Australia–Singapore Cable, with an Indonesian landing facility at Anyer in Banten. A decisive transformation came in December 2024, when XL announced its planned combination with Smartfren, a telecommunications business associated with Sinar Mas. The proposed transaction was reported at IDR 104 trillion, and the post-transaction company was to operate as PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera, with XL as the surviving entity. Shareholders approved the combination at an extraordinary general meeting on 25 March 2025. The transaction was scheduled for completion on 16 April 2025, after which the XLSmart identity represented a multi-brand telecommunications operator jointly associated with Axiata and Sinar Mas. The combined company operates mobile and home communications services through 2G GSM, 4G LTE and 5G NR networks, supported by optical fiber. Its core brands are XL, Axis and Smartfren. Reference material for 2025 describes XLSmart as Indonesia’s third-largest mobile telecommunications operator, with approximately 58.8 million subscribers and more than 209,000 base transceiver station towers. The company’s present role is therefore both consumer-facing and infrastructure-oriented: it provides mobile and fixed connectivity while consolidating network assets and brands in one of Indonesia’s most competitive telecommunications markets.
- 2025
Shareholder approval and XLSmart transition
[1]Shareholders approved the combination on 25 March, with completion scheduled for 16 April. Rajeev Sethi was appointed president director.
- 2024
Smartfren combination announced
[1]XL announced a planned combination with Smartfren, with the resulting business intended to operate as XLSmart.
- 2016
Twentieth-anniversary brand refresh
[1]XL changed its logo colors to blue and green to mark twenty years of commercial operations.
- 2014
4G LTE service introduced
[1]XL launched its 4G LTE network service and introduced a new logo on 28 October.
- 2011
Regional submarine-cable infrastructure completed
[1]A high-capacity cable project connecting Malacca, Batam and Dumai was completed in the fourth quarter of the year.
- 2009
Axiata acquires XL
[1]Axiata Group acquired XL, linking the Indonesian operator to its regional telecommunications group.
- 2006
3G license and service launch
[1]XL received a 3G license and launched 3G services in September.
- 1996
Commercial mobile operations begin
[1]The company began commercial cellular operations on 8 October 1996 and became Indonesia’s first private mobile-services operator.
- 1989
Company established as PT Grahametropolitan Lestari
[1]The predecessor company was incorporated on 6 October 1989 as a trading and general-services enterprise.
Products and positioning
A nationwide Indonesian connectivity provider combining mobile, fixed broadband and fiber infrastructure across the XL, Axis and Smartfren brands. The business emphasizes network reach, data connectivity, communications access and scale following the XL Axiata–Smartfren combination.
Mobile telecommunications · 1996
XL
XL is the principal legacy mobile brand associated with the operator. It provides cellular voice, messaging, mobile data and broadband services over the company’s Indonesian network. The brand has been used across successive GSM, 3G, 4G LTE and 5G technology generations and remains one of XLSmart’s core consumer propositions.
Mobile telecommunications
Axis
Axis is one of XLSmart’s three core consumer-facing telecommunications brands. It operates within the company’s mobile network and is associated with cellular communication and data services. The brand complements XL and Smartfren by giving the combined operator a multi-brand presence in the Indonesian mobile market.
Mobile telecommunications
Smartfren
Smartfren is the mobile telecommunications brand brought into the XLSmart combination through the integration with the Sinar Mas-associated operator. It forms one of the combined company’s three core brands and contributes mobile connectivity, data and broadband services to the enlarged portfolio.
Fixed broadband
Home broadband and fiber connectivity
XLSmart provides home communication broadband and fixed connectivity using optical-fiber infrastructure alongside its mobile networks. These services extend the company’s role beyond cellular access and support household internet connectivity in the markets covered by its infrastructure.
Brand decisions
2025
Adopted the XLSmart corporate identityStrategyBackground
The planned XL Axiata–Smartfren combination required a corporate structure and market identity for the enlarged operator.
Action taken
The surviving entity was designated PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera and operated under the XLSmart identity, retaining XL, Axis and Smartfren as core brands.
Aftermath
The combined company expanded its stated portfolio to mobile, home broadband and fiber connectivity across multiple Indonesian network technologies.
2024
Announced combination with SmartfrenM&ABackground
XL sought to combine with Smartfren, an operator associated with Sinar Mas, to create a larger telecommunications business in Indonesia.
Action taken
XL announced the transaction on 11 December 2024, with XL designated as the surviving entity and the corporate name planned to change to PT XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera.
Aftermath
Shareholders approved the transaction on 25 March 2025, and completion was scheduled for 16 April 2025. The resulting operator was presented as Indonesia’s third-largest mobile telecommunications company.
Announced transaction value. IDR 104 trillion (Announced 11 December 2024)
Recent events
- 2025
Shareholders approve the XL–Smartfren combination[1]
M&A
At an extraordinary general meeting on 25 March 2025, shareholders approved the planned combination with Smartfren and set completion for 16 April 2025.
- 2025
Rajeev Sethi appointed president director[1]
Leadership change
The company changed its board leadership and appointed Rajeev Sethi as president director on 25 March 2025.
- 2025
XLSmart operates as Indonesia’s third-largest mobile operator[1]
Other
Reference material describes the combined operator as having approximately 58.8 million subscribers and more than 209,000 base transceiver station towers.
- 2024
XL announces combination with Smartfren[1]
M&A
XL announced plans to merge with Smartfren in a transaction described as valued at IDR 104 trillion, with XL intended to remain the surviving entity.
Sources3 sources
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