Robi begins operation as merged company

Airtel to remain as an independent product brand of Robi

The first ever merger of two mobile phone operators -Robi and Airtel in Bangladesh has came into effect following the commercial operation of Robi as the merged company that begin yesterday, reports BSS.
"Now, the merged company will be known as Robi Axiata Limited while 'Airtel' will remain as an independent product brand of Robi," said a media statement of Robi yesterday.
Axiata now holds 68.7 per cent controlling stake in the combined entity, while Bharti holds 25 per cent. The remaining 6.3 percent will be held by the existing shareholder, NTT DOCOMO of Japan.
The combined entity will operate under the brand name of Robi Axiata Limited and will serve approximately 32.2 million subscribers.
The joint strengths of Robi and Airtel sets the stage for creating the number one network delivering the widest mobile network coverage across Bangladesh, enhancing its stronghold in the mobile internet segment as well as consolidating its position as the second largest operator in the country.
Towards long-term growth of the Bangladesh telecoms industry, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Robi said, "We are pleased to have reached the completion phase of the merger with Airtel, and we are grateful and offer our utmost appreciation to all who made this merger possible".
Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Axiata said, "As a committed investor with over two decades of presence in Bangladesh, Axiata fully supports Robi's continued efforts on nation building especially in bridging the digital divide and to achieve the Digital Bangladesh aspiration."
"We are confident this consolidation will secure the country's further development not only within the telecommunications industry but also act as further impetus to fuel a more mature business and investment environment in Bangladesh," he added. The completion followed the announcement, 9 September 2015, of both parties entering into an exclusive discussion to explore possibility of combining the business operations in Bangladesh.

Robi begins operation as merged company

Airtel to remain as an independent product brand of Robi

The first ever merger of two mobile phone operators -Robi and Airtel in Bangladesh has came into effect following the commercial operation of Robi as the merged company that begin yesterday, reports BSS. Now, the merged company will be known as Robi Axiata Limited while Airtel will remain as an independent product brand of Robi, said a media statement of Robi yesterday. Axiata now holds 68.7 per cent controlling stake in the combined entity, while Bharti holds 25 per cent. The remaining 6.3 percent will be held by the existing shareholder, NTT DOCOMO of Japan. The combined entity will operate under the brand name of Robi Axiata Limited and will serve approximately 32.2 million subscribers. The joint strengths of Robi and Airtel sets the stage forcreating the number one network delivering the widestmobile network coverage across Bangladesh, enhancingits stronghold in the mobile internet segment as wellas consolidating its position as the second largest operator in the country. Towards long-term growth of the Bangladesh telecoms industry, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Robi said, We are pleased to have reached the completion phase of the merger with Airtel, and we are grateful and offer our utmost appreciation to all who made this merger possible. Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Axiata said, As a committed investor with over two decades of presence in Bangladesh, Axiata fully supports Robis continued efforts on nation building especially in bridging the digital divide and to achieve the Digital Bangladesh aspiration. We are confident this consolidation will secure the countrys further development not only within the telecommunications industry but also act as further impetus to fuel a more mature business and investment environment in Bangladesh, he added. The completion followed the announcement, 9 September 2015, of both parties entering into an exclusive discussion to explore possibility of combining the business operations in Bangladesh.