Maxis Communications
Encyclopedia
Maxis Communications Berhad
is a Malaysian cellular operator
company headquartered at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was started in the year 1993. It uses the dialing pref ix identifier of "012" , "017" and “0142”. Their mobile services are provided over the 900 & 1800 MHz GSM band and as July 2005, the 2100 MHz UMTS band. Majority of the company's stake is owned by billionaire Ananda Krishnan
. The company has total subscribers at 13.95 million as of December 2010. The company primarily operates across Asia-pacific.
, MMS
, WAP
(over both GSM and GPRS), Residential Fixed Line services, Broadband
Internet plans, and as of early 2005, 3G
services to both prepaid and postpaid subscription customers.
For business customers, Maxis offer VSAT services (satellite based communications) and BlackBerry
based mobile services besides regular services. Maxis also provides an online Music store for its customers to download multimedia content.
Maxis most popular service is its prepaid brand Hotlink, which currently serves over 8 million customers in Malaysia. They are currently heavily promoting a new IDD 132 service, which offers cheaper calling rates mobile & landlines in selected countries, at a rate of 20 sen (roughly 6 US cents) per minute which is, at certain times for many subscribers, even cheaper than a local call.
Maxis was involved in a price war with its competitors (particularly DiGi) in the prepaid SIM market which was driven its Hotlink starter pack prices down to RM6 (about USD$1.2).
Maxis was the first mobile communications company in Malaysia to be authorized to sell the Apple iPhone
, later the offered was also given to its competitor DiGi. Although the pricing of the phone is slightly cheaper than DiGi, but the plans for data and services are slightly higher than DiGi (Furthermore, for iPhone plan, no extra charge after monthly quota will be charged even if DiGi's customers exceed the data quota but not for Maxis)
There are several high profile celebrities who have signed on as spokespersons for Maxis, including big names such as Siti Nurhaliza
, all the Akademi Fantasia
's stars, along with many other local celebrities includin yen
On April 27, 2007, an offer was made to buy out Maxis and privatise the company in preparation for expansions into the Indonesia
n and India
n markets. The deal was offered by Ananda Krishnan
, who pledged Maxis RM
17.46 billion (US$5.1 billion) in exchange for all remaining shares of the company. The offer is to be formally made by Usaha Tegas, a company owned by Krishnan, on May 3, 2007, while the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange
suspends trading of the company's shares until May 3.
Under the urging of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
, Maxis announce that it will re-list the company in Bursa Malaysia
on November 11, 2009. The initial public offering, which constitute 30% of the company and involve its Malaysian operations, will raise at least MYR
11.7 billion. The IPO is expected to be the biggest in Asia to date.
's business empire. In 1996, the company launched Malaysia's first three satellites; MEASAT
1, 2 and 3. And the fourth satellite, MEASAT 1R, was damaged during transport to the launch site and is under reconstruction.
Saudi Telecom Company
bought 25% of Maxis.
services on July 1, 2005 (the 3G datacard service was soft-launched earlier in February 2005). The 3G service is available in selected regions of the country since nationwide coverage does not make economic sense (due to the high CAPEX
involved). The main coverage areas include:
Maxis appears to be adopting a "thick coverage" strategy for 3G. This means 3G service will be rolled out only in areas where data traffic is heavy, or with strategic importance (for example, Putrajaya
which is the government's administrative centre). The rest of the country will be served by 2.5G (GPRS; nationwide coverage) which is progressively being upgraded to 2.75G (EDGE
or E-GPRS).
The key "shouting points" for Maxis 3G appear to be:
In Sept 2006, Maxis launched 3.5G (HSDPA) as part of the "wireless broadband modem" service which is targeted at "mass market consumer/home" users (instead of business or corporate). Maxis is progressively upgrading its entire 3G network to 3.5G capability. Maxis claimed it has widest 3G/3.5G/HSPA coverage that covers 80% of populated areas.
) service called FastTap. It integrates Touch 'n Go
and Visa Wave from Maybank
.
Privately held company
A privately held company or close corporation is a business company owned either by non-governmental organizations or by a relatively small number of shareholders or company members which does not offer or trade its company stock to the general public on the stock market exchanges, but rather the...
is a Malaysian cellular operator
Mobile network operator
A mobile network operator , also known as mobile phone operator , carrier service provider , wireless service provider, wireless carrier, or cellular company, or mobile network carrier is a telephone company that provides services for mobile phone subscribers.One essential...
company headquartered at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was started in the year 1993. It uses the dialing pref ix identifier of "012" , "017" and “0142”. Their mobile services are provided over the 900 & 1800 MHz GSM band and as July 2005, the 2100 MHz UMTS band. Majority of the company's stake is owned by billionaire Ananda Krishnan
Ananda Krishnan
Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan is a Malaysian businessman and philanthropist of Tamil origin. Nicknamed A-K, he is estimated to have a net worth of US$9.6 billion according to Forbes' latest annual list of wealthiest people, making him the second wealthiest in Southeast Asia behind Robert Kuok,...
. The company has total subscribers at 13.95 million as of December 2010. The company primarily operates across Asia-pacific.
Products and services
Maxis provides a variety of mobile communication products and services. They offer prepaid call plans, monthly subscription plans, International RoamingRoaming
In wireless telecommunications, roaming is a general term referring to the extension of connectivity service in a location that is different from the home location where the service was registered. Roaming ensures that the wireless device is kept connected to the network, without losing the...
, MMS
Multimedia Messaging Service
Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, is a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the core SMS capability that allowed exchange of text messages only up to 160 characters in length.The most popular use is to send photographs from...
, WAP
Wireless Application Protocol
Wireless Application Protocol is a technical standard for accessing information over a mobile wireless network.A WAP browser is a web browser for mobile devices such as mobile phones that uses the protocol.Before the introduction of WAP, mobile service providers had limited opportunities to offer...
(over both GSM and GPRS), Residential Fixed Line services, Broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
Internet plans, and as of early 2005, 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
services to both prepaid and postpaid subscription customers.
For business customers, Maxis offer VSAT services (satellite based communications) and BlackBerry
BlackBerry
BlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion since 1999.BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more...
based mobile services besides regular services. Maxis also provides an online Music store for its customers to download multimedia content.
Maxis most popular service is its prepaid brand Hotlink, which currently serves over 8 million customers in Malaysia. They are currently heavily promoting a new IDD 132 service, which offers cheaper calling rates mobile & landlines in selected countries, at a rate of 20 sen (roughly 6 US cents) per minute which is, at certain times for many subscribers, even cheaper than a local call.
Maxis was involved in a price war with its competitors (particularly DiGi) in the prepaid SIM market which was driven its Hotlink starter pack prices down to RM6 (about USD$1.2).
Maxis was the first mobile communications company in Malaysia to be authorized to sell the Apple iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, later the offered was also given to its competitor DiGi. Although the pricing of the phone is slightly cheaper than DiGi, but the plans for data and services are slightly higher than DiGi (Furthermore, for iPhone plan, no extra charge after monthly quota will be charged even if DiGi's customers exceed the data quota but not for Maxis)
There are several high profile celebrities who have signed on as spokespersons for Maxis, including big names such as Siti Nurhaliza
Siti Nurhaliza
Dato', or occasionally Datin Seri, Siti Nurhaliza binti Tarudin DIMP, JSM, SAP, PMP, AAP is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, record producer, television presenter and businesswoman. To date, she has garnered more than 200 local awards as well as international awards...
, all the Akademi Fantasia
Akademi Fantasia
Akademi Fantasia is Malaysia's first reality television show in which a number of contestants called students compete for the winning title and a chance to start their career in the entertainment industry. The first season premiered in June 3, 2003 and was one of Astro Ria's highest rated shows...
's stars, along with many other local celebrities includin yen
Recent corporate history
In 2002, Maxis purchased Timecel, a rival mobile service provider, from TimedotCom Berhad. Prior to the purchase, Maxis offered phone numbers beginning with 012, and TimeCell 017. Now, subscribers can choose between the two. In 1999, Maxis introduced the popular pre-paid brand "Hotlink", which currently has 10 Million customers.On April 27, 2007, an offer was made to buy out Maxis and privatise the company in preparation for expansions into the Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n markets. The deal was offered by Ananda Krishnan
Ananda Krishnan
Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan is a Malaysian businessman and philanthropist of Tamil origin. Nicknamed A-K, he is estimated to have a net worth of US$9.6 billion according to Forbes' latest annual list of wealthiest people, making him the second wealthiest in Southeast Asia behind Robert Kuok,...
, who pledged Maxis RM
Malaysian ringgit
The Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen...
17.46 billion (US$5.1 billion) in exchange for all remaining shares of the company. The offer is to be formally made by Usaha Tegas, a company owned by Krishnan, on May 3, 2007, while the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange
Bursa Malaysia
Bursa Malaysia is an exchange holding company approved under Section 15 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. It operates a fully integrated exchange, offering the complete range of exchange-related services including trading, clearing, settlement and depository services.- History :Bursa...
suspends trading of the company's shares until May 3.
Under the urging of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Najib Tun Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is the sixth, and since 2009, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He previously held the post of Deputy Prime Minister from 7 January 2004 until he succeeded Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009. Najib is President of the United...
, Maxis announce that it will re-list the company in Bursa Malaysia
Bursa Malaysia
Bursa Malaysia is an exchange holding company approved under Section 15 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. It operates a fully integrated exchange, offering the complete range of exchange-related services including trading, clearing, settlement and depository services.- History :Bursa...
on November 11, 2009. The initial public offering, which constitute 30% of the company and involve its Malaysian operations, will raise at least MYR
Myr
The symbol myr was formerly used in English-language geology, and remains as the standard usage in astronomy, as a unit of one million years.It is an abbreviation for 'million years' and lower case is used in geology, while upper case is used in astronomy....
11.7 billion. The IPO is expected to be the biggest in Asia to date.
Majority shareholders
Maxis Communications is part of Ananda KrishnanAnanda Krishnan
Tatparanandam Ananda Krishnan is a Malaysian businessman and philanthropist of Tamil origin. Nicknamed A-K, he is estimated to have a net worth of US$9.6 billion according to Forbes' latest annual list of wealthiest people, making him the second wealthiest in Southeast Asia behind Robert Kuok,...
's business empire. In 1996, the company launched Malaysia's first three satellites; MEASAT
MEASAT
MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd., formerly Binariang Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd is a Malaysian communications satellite operator.MEASAT is the name of a line of communications satellites owned and operated by the company.As of 2006, the MEASAT satellite network consists of three geostationary...
1, 2 and 3. And the fourth satellite, MEASAT 1R, was damaged during transport to the launch site and is under reconstruction.
Saudi Telecom Company
Saudi Telecom Company
Saudi Telecom Group, STC is a Saudi Arabia-based telecommunications company that offers landline, mobile and Internet services.-Background:...
bought 25% of Maxis.
Maxis 3G
Maxis officially launched its 3G3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
services on July 1, 2005 (the 3G datacard service was soft-launched earlier in February 2005). The 3G service is available in selected regions of the country since nationwide coverage does not make economic sense (due to the high CAPEX
CAPEX
CAPEX, also known as the Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Co-operative Society, is an organization managed by the government of Kerala to promote the cashew industry and especially the export market for cashews.-Organization:...
involved). The main coverage areas include:
- The Klang ValleyKlang ValleyKlang Valley is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor. An alternative reference to this would be Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan Area or Greater Kuala Lumpur. It is geographically delineated by Titiwangsa Mountains to the...
(including large part of Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
and SelangorSelangorSelangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
) - the initial launch in July 2005 - PenangPenangPenang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
- Dec 2005 - Johor BahruJohor BahruJohor Bahru is the capital city of Johor in southern Malaysia. Johor Bahru is the southernmost city of the Eurasian mainland...
- Jan 2006 - KuantanKuantanKuantan is the state capital of Pahang, the 3rd largest state in Malaysia. It is situated near the mouth of the Kuantan River and faces the South China Sea. If one measures the distance along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it is located roughly halfway between Singapore and Kota Bharu...
- Sept 2006
Maxis appears to be adopting a "thick coverage" strategy for 3G. This means 3G service will be rolled out only in areas where data traffic is heavy, or with strategic importance (for example, Putrajaya
Putrajaya
Putrajaya is a planned city, located 25km south of Kuala Lumpur, that serves as the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was shifted in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya, due to the overcrowding and congestion in the Kuala Lumpur areas...
which is the government's administrative centre). The rest of the country will be served by 2.5G (GPRS; nationwide coverage) which is progressively being upgraded to 2.75G (EDGE
Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution is a digital mobile phone technology that allows improved data transmission rates as a backward-compatible extension of GSM...
or E-GPRS).
The key "shouting points" for Maxis 3G appear to be:
- Video call
- packet-switched video streaming services (including live channels, video-on-demand & video clip downloads)
- Traffic Check (Maxis claims to have 50 video cameras installed around Klang Valley, Penang & Johor Bahru)
- Full-track music download
- 3G datacard
In Sept 2006, Maxis launched 3.5G (HSDPA) as part of the "wireless broadband modem" service which is targeted at "mass market consumer/home" users (instead of business or corporate). Maxis is progressively upgrading its entire 3G network to 3.5G capability. Maxis claimed it has widest 3G/3.5G/HSPA coverage that covers 80% of populated areas.
Maxis FastTap
Maxis is also the pioneer of Malaysia's first NFC (Near Field CommunicationNear Field Communication
Near field communication, or NFC, allows for simplified transactions, data exchange, and wireless connections between two devices in proximity to each other, usually by no more than a few centimeters. It is expected to become a widely used system for making payments by smartphone in the United States...
) service called FastTap. It integrates Touch 'n Go
Touch 'n Go
The Touch 'n Go or smart card is used by Malaysian toll expressway and highway operators as the sole electronic payment system . The credit card sized smartcard made of plastic with Philips' MIFARE microchip technology embedded in it....
and Visa Wave from Maybank
Maybank
Maybank , a trade name for Malayan Banking Berhad is the largest bank and financial group in Malaysia, with significant banking operations in Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. The bank also has large interests in Islamic banking through Maybank Islamic Berhad and insurance via its Etiqa...
.