SIMBA Telecom discussion thread

[chari-men]

Simba will become imba soon ...

 

[Ye_Rongtian]

Simba will become imba soon ...

Simiba?

 

[Ye_Rongtian]

Is it the end of $10/m mobile plan days?

MVNO will be very happy then..... their 7.90 plans can increase price already.

 

[JAYSCS]

why do u think more competitors mean more competition? in the past yes, but simba/tpg is around long enough to settle the dusts. already m1 bites the dust.

We'll see. To each his own. In the past, it was proven that 3 Telcos were so contented that there was no price war, only when IMDA decided to introduce another telco, TPG came in then the game has changed. Now if we are back to the 3 players state and Simba no longer has to fight for subscribers, it will become stagnant again.

 

[chari-men]

Simiba?

Imba as in OP hahhaha...

 

[BBCWatcher]

I think ST's ownership of Optus is not at the same level as Simba's ownership of M1.

SIMBA's parent company hasn't acquired M1 yet, so that's surely correct at present. Singtel owns 100% of Optus and has for quite some time.

ST have a controlling shareholder with a 50% stake, and we all know who it is...

Temasek Holdings reportedly owns the majority of Singtel. I'm quite sure Temasek Holdings is a Singapore-based entity.

...whereas Simba's largest shareholder is a private individual/family with slightly above 30% shareholding.

Right, OK. So let's suppose [only for (fantastical) sake of argument] the government blocks Tuas Limited's acquisition of M1. I'll ask again: would it be reasonable for the Australian government to reconsider Singtel's ownership of Optus if Tuas Limited cannot buy M1?

 

[qhong61]

Should I switch to singtel mobile?
Currently on M1.

 

[sky1978]

SIMBA's parent company hasn't acquired M1 yet, so that's surely correct at present. Singtel owns 100% of Optus and has for quite some time.

What I meant by not at the same level is not so much about the percentage of holdings; it is the SWF vs non-SWF. I would think SWF owning a foreign Telco is a level higher than normal foreign private ownership.

Right, OK. So let's suppose [only for (fantastical) sake of argument] the government blocks Tuas Limited's acquisition of M1. I'll ask again: would it be reasonable for the Australian government to reconsider Singtel's ownership of Optus if Tuas Limited cannot buy M1?

I think if they really want to reject, the reason will likely be market share-related rather than openly saying they don't want any foreign ownership. The combined postpaid market share will be close to 38% and the top 2 players will then end up with a market share of close to 80%.

Just to add on a bit, in today's environment, similar to that of power generation, I don't think Telcos are such strategic or important assets anymore when most communication are transferred via digital data format. Proper encryption will lower any security risk. The backbone of our internet resides with Netlink operating the actual cable infrastructure, and all the 4G/5G base stations are linked back to the fibre network at some point. Telcos have coverage and service availability standards to meet, so they cannot run their network to the ground and screw up.

 

[cloudystar]

I think there's a higher chance they'll reject if it's a more nationally identified company like how the NTUC Income deal fall through. M1 probably is not that level.

It also brings to mind when the Australian Government rejected the $8.3 bil deal from SGX to acquire ASX due to National interest.

The deal would have been the second-biggest overseas takeover by a Singapore-listed company after Singtel bought Australia's Optus Ltd in 2001 for $8.4 billion.

 

[twosix]

I think there's a higher chance they'll reject if it's a more nationally identified company like how the NTUC Income deal fall through. M1 probably is not that level.

It also brings to mind when the Australian Government rejected the $8.3 bil deal from SGX to acquire ASX due to National interest.

The deal would have been the second-biggest overseas takeover by a Singapore-listed company after Singtel bought Australia's Optus Ltd in 2001 for $8.4 billion.

How can u compare a stock exchange with a telco?

 

[Jurong640]

Should I switch to singtel mobile?
Currently on M1.

If m1 serves you well, just stay.

 

[BBCWatcher]

Should I switch to singtel mobile?
Currently on M1.

Why would you do that? Did you have a bad breakup with a senior SIMBA executive's son, daughter, nephew, or niece? Or did you elope? (/joke)

What I meant by not at the same level is not so much about the percentage of holdings; it is the SWF vs non-SWF. I would think SWF owning a foreign Telco is a level higher than normal foreign private ownership.

Well, I suppose that factor would bolster the Australian government's (counter)arguments in this fanciful hypothetical.

I think if they really want to reject, the reason will likely be market share-related rather than openly saying they don't want any foreign ownership. The combined postpaid market share will be close to 38% and the top 2 players will then end up with a market share of close to 80%.

Yet somehow Singapore survived with 3 mobile telcos for decades, and the StarHub-M1 joint 5G venture was fairly recently approved — meaning we already effectively have three 5G MNOs.

In 2019 the U.S. approved a big mobile telco merger which now means there are 3 big national mobile networks: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. (T-Mobile acquired Sprint.) But regulators there attached conditions that effectively planted the seeds for a new 4th national mobile telco. It hasn't worked that well. The notional 4th mobile telco has technically met its minimum 5G buildout commitment (and never had a 4G commitment), but functionally it operates as a hybrid MNO and MVNO (roams onto AT&T, mainly). You might describe the U.S. has having "3.5" mobile networks. Oddly enough TPG Inc. (which spun off Tuas Limited, SIMBA's parent) tried to acquire Dish Network (which operates the 4th U.S. mobile network), but the deal fell through evidently for commercial reasons.

Anyway, I mention that bit of history because it's pretty common for regulators to require a few conditions before approving an acquisition. Those conditions may or may not achieve desired regulatory goals.

Just to add on a bit, in today's environment, similar to that of power generation, I don't think Telcos are such strategic or important assets anymore when most communication are transferred via digital data format. Proper encryption will lower any security risk. The backbone of our internet resides with Netlink operating the actual cable infrastructure, and all the 4G/5G base stations are linked back to the fibre network at some point. Telcos have coverage and service availability standards to meet, so they cannot run their network to the ground and screw up.

True. Actually, if this were an acute concern, wouldn't CMLink (the MVNO) be in the (first) regulatory crosshairs?

All this rampant speculation is fun, I suppose, but it's only that.

 

[Jurong640]

Explaining Why Simba is Suddenly Buying M1 & What It Means for Us​

explains clearly for those who want simplified version



On 11 August 2025, news broke that Simba is buying the telecommunications business of M1 from Keppel for $1.43 billion. This deal surprised many, although there had been earlier rumours of Keppel selling M1 to Starhub. M1, once the first competitor to Singtel after its 1997 launch, played a key role in making telecom services in Singapore more competitive, affordable, and innovative. Over the years, M1 introduced popular offerings like prepaid cards with free incoming calls and high-speed fibre broadband. Keppel eventually took full control of M1 in 2019, but now plans to sell the retail telecommunications segment while keeping its fast-growing ICT business, which includes data centres and subsea cables.

Simba, formerly known as TPG Telecom in Singapore, entered the market in 2016 as the fourth licensed telco and launched services in 2020. It later rebranded to Simba in 2022, positioning itself as a budget-friendly mobile data provider. While Mobile Virtual Network Operators like Circles.Life resell network capacity from major telcos, Simba is a full-fledged operator with its own infrastructure. The company is now owned by Tuas Limited in Australia, and its main appeal has been lower prices, making it popular with cost-conscious consumers.

The purchase of M1’s retail telco business gives Simba a significant boost, particularly in broadband, where Simba’s current market share is just 0.9% compared to M1’s 15%. By combining forces, Simba could challenge Singtel and Starhub more aggressively, potentially driving broadband prices down. Simba has stated the deal will help expand its mobile reach, accelerate broadband growth, and provide a stronger platform for enterprise services. However, whether M1 will be rebranded under the Simba name remains uncertain.

Keppel’s decision to sell stems from its shift toward becoming an asset-light global asset manager and operator. The transaction still requires approval from Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), meaning it’s not guaranteed to go through. If approved, the increased competition in broadband could benefit consumers.
Transcript

 

[cloudystar]

How can u compare a stock exchange with a telco?

It’s not about comparing stock exchange with a telco.

The point is about national interest and public sentiments. Those were the main reasons why the attempts to acquire NTUC Income and ASX fell through.

IMO, the M1 deal is different from those two

 

[BBCWatcher]

I just hope a foreign company doesn’t take over Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, or Vivo. No foreign company should be making any of our smartphones.

/j

 

[frizee]

Hi, anyone can help?

This morning ported over to simba and I can't receive otp from local banks except dbs

Using Xiaomi Poco though, any advice will be much appreciated

Previously don't have such issues though sigh

 

[twosix]

Hi, anyone can help?

This morning ported over to simba and I can't receive otp from local banks except dbs

Using Xiaomi Poco though, any advice will be much appreciated

Previously don't have such issues though sigh

Past experience here is it may take a day or 2 to fully receive all sms.

 

[frizee]

Past experience here is it may take a day or 2 to fully receive all sms.

Maybe today it's Saturday ..

Come to think of it I never done a port-in on a weekend, sigh I'll see how next week

Thanks bro

 

[Habrosus]

Maybe today it's Saturday ..

Come to think of it I never done a port-in on a weekend, sigh I'll see how next week

Thanks bro

It's often when such things happen that we're reminded to avoid weekends.

 

[frizee]

It's often when such things happen that we're reminded to avoid weekends.

Ya... First time lah sigh see how on Monday bah