Singapore Telecommunications Limited

AIS Business, together with Bridge Alliance and Thales, has launched the world's first multi-operator eSIM network for enterprise customers based on the GSMA SGP.32 standard, aiming to enhance IoT connectivity across the Asia-Pacific region. The project involves collaboration with four member operators of Bridge Alliance: AIS Thailand, Globe Telecom Philippines, Optus Australia, and Singtel Singapore, which jointly tested the platform until it was ready for commercial deployment. The platform enables enterprises to centrally manage connectivity, allowing devices to automatically select the most suitable network and switch operators without changing SIM cards. GlobalData forecasts that cellular IoT and machine-to-machine connections in the Asia-Pacific region will grow to 1.3 billion by 2030, and this solution will help reduce complexity and costs in cross-border connectivity management for businesses operating in multiple countries.

A consortium including Microsoft and telecom startup Lightstorm plans to build a new undersea cable linking India with Malaysia and Singapore. The I-2SEA cable, also backed by Tata Communications, Singapore Telecommunications, ASEAN Cableship, and NEC Corporation, will span 3,600 kilometers and support AI, cloud, and hyperscale workloads. Landing stations will be in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where Meta and Alphabet have announced data centers. The cable is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2029. Lightstorm Group CEO Amajit Gupta said the company currently connects 19 AI and cloud zones across India through terrestrial fiber and expects the new network to bring that number to 29.

Singapore Telecommunications raised about S$1 billion by selling a 2.8% stake in Gulf Development, Thailand's largest energy company, through a private placement to institutional investors. The sale is expected to deliver about S$140 million in gains, while Singtel will retain a 4.95% stake in Gulf worth S$1.8 billion. This brings Singtel closer to its S$9 billion medium-term asset-recycling target, having raised S$6.8 billion since 2024. Group Chief Financial Officer Arthur Lang said the proceeds provide capacity to fund the value realization dividend, share buyback, and digital infrastructure investments. Singtel has deployed about S$681 million of its planned S$2 billion buyback program and proposed a record annual dividend of 18.5 Singapore cents per share.