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  • Indosat Unveils Sovereign SOC to Boost Indonesia’s Cybersecurity Resilience

    Indosat Unveils Sovereign SOC to Boost Indonesia’s Cybersecurity Resilience

    Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat) has teamed up with Cisco, the leading global authority in security and networking, to unveil Indonesia’s Sovereign Security Operations Center (SOC). This initiative marks a significant advancement in bolstering the nation’s cybersecurity and digital resilience, building on the recent establishment of Indonesia’s AI Center of Excellence and heralding a new chapter in safeguarding the country’s digital landscape.

    Trailblazing Cybersecurity with Local Innovation

    The Sovereign SOC introduces Indonesia’s first local deployment of the Splunk Cloud Platform and Splunk Enterprise Security, meeting the rigorous SOC 2 compliance standard. This cutting-edge platform provides AI-driven, real-time threat detection and observability across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. With sensitive data remaining firmly under Indonesian jurisdiction, government agencies and businesses are better equipped to swiftly detect and address threats, all while complying with data sovereignty regulations.

    A Strategic Partnership for National Defense

    “Everything that is connected must be protected,” remarked Vikram Sinha, Indosat’s President Director and CEO. He elaborated, “Together with Cisco, we are not just launching a security platform; we are enabling a strategic safeguard for the nation. This Sovereign SOC is about protecting our infrastructure, empowering our people, and securing the digital economy at scale. It reinforces our belief that digital transformation must be trusted, inclusive, and sustainable.”

    Responding to Rising Threats

    This launch comes at a critical time, as cybersecurity threats escalate in both frequency and complexity. A recent survey by Cisco reveals that a staggering 91% of Indonesian organizations encountered an AI-related cybersecurity incident over the past year. The Sovereign SOC provides a centralized, nationally coordinated defense system to safeguard critical sectors, including finance, healthcare, transportation, and public services.

    “This Sovereign SOC represents a bold step forward in building a secure, digital future for Indonesia,” stated Dave West, Cisco’s President and Senior Vice President of Global Specialists. He highlighted the partnership’s focus on enabling secure AI transformation and fostering a digital infrastructure that positions Indonesia for future growth.

    Empowering the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals

    Beyond enhancing cybersecurity measures, the Sovereign SOC aims to boost Indonesia’s threat intelligence, regulatory preparedness, and incident response capabilities. Its infrastructure is built to support responsible AI innovation, facilitating the secure deployment of generative AI and large language models at scale.

    In line with its ambitious 2030 vision, Indosat and Cisco plan to train one million Indonesians in cybersecurity and networking skills by the decade’s end. This initiative builds on the Cisco Networking Academy, which has already educated over 500,000 students across more than 200 institutions. The SOC will also serve as a training hub for Cyber Resilience Labs, providing real-world simulations, industry training, and national readiness programs.

    Opening Doors for Small and Medium Enterprises

    The Sovereign SOC is not just for large enterprises and governmental bodies; it also extends its services to Indonesia’s small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). By offering affordable and accessible cybersecurity solutions, the SOC aims to strengthen defenses for over 10,000 SMEs, bolstering their confidence as they navigate the digital economy. Studies indicate that even modest enhancements in digital skills can significantly uplift Indonesia’s productivity and cybersecurity readiness, ultimately contributing to GDP growth.

    This project exemplifies a public-private partnership that emphasizes collaboration in upholding Indonesia’s digital sovereignty. By adhering to local content requirements, advancing national frameworks, and aligning with international best practices, Indosat and Cisco are paving the way for secure, sovereign innovation in the age of AI.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of the Sovereign Security Operations Center?
    The Sovereign Security Operations Center represents a major advancement in Indonesia’s cybersecurity, offering AI-powered threat detection and compliance with local data sovereignty regulations, thereby enhancing the nation’s digital resilience.

    How does the SOC benefit small and medium-sized businesses?
    The SOC provides affordable and accessible cybersecurity services, aimed at strengthening the defenses of over 10,000 SMEs, allowing them to engage more confidently in the digital economy.

    What educational initiatives are included in this partnership?
    Indosat and Cisco plan to train one million Indonesians in cybersecurity by 2030, with the SOC serving as a training hub for Cyber Resilience Labs, offering real-world simulations and industry training programs.

  • Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison poised for US$6 billion telecom merger

    Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison poised for US$6 billion telecom merger

    Ooredoo and CK Hutchison announced the signing of definitive transaction agreements for the proposed merger of their respective telecommunications businesses in Indonesia, PT Indosat Tbk (Indosat Ooredoo) and PT Hutchison 3 Indonesia (H3I). The merged company will be named PT Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Tbk (Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison).

    The merger of Indosat Ooredoo and H3I will bring together two highly complementary businesses to create a larger, commercially stronger and more competitive world-class digital telecoms and internet company, well placed to deliver more value for all shareholders, customers and for Indonesia.

    Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will be well-positioned to accelerate Indonesia’s economic growth and transformation into a digital society. It will be the second-largest mobile telecoms company in the country, with an estimated annual revenue of approximately US$3 billion.

    The combined company will have the scale, financial strength, and expertise to compete more effectively. Combining the highly complementary assets and products of Indosat Ooredoo and H3I will drive innovation and network improvements that will enable the delivery of outstanding digital services, as well as a broader product offering, to customers across Indonesia.

    Indosat Ooredoo and H3I own highly complementary infrastructure and the combination of these assets will also enable the merged company to benefit from cost and CAPEX synergies and provide accretive returns to all stakeholders. Annual run-rate pre-tax synergies of approximately US$300-400mm are expected to be realized over 3-5 years.

    In addition, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will be able to leverage the experience and expertise of Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison in networks, technologies, products and services, and benefit from their multinational operations spanning major markets in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific. The merged company will also benefit from their combined strength and economies of scale in functions such as procurement.

    Following the merger, the Indonesian mobile market is expected to retain a healthy level of competition, attractive to long-term investment across the industry.

    Ooredoo Group currently has a controlling 65.0% shareholding in Indosat Ooredoo through Ooredoo Asia, a wholly-owned holding company. The merger of Indosat and H3I will result in CK Hutchison receiving newly issued shares in Indosat Ooredoo amounting to 21.8% and PT Tiga Telekomunikasi Indonesia amounting to 10.8% of the merged Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison business.

    Concurrent with the merger, CK Hutchison will acquire a 50% shareholding in Ooredoo Asia by exchanging its 21.8% shareholdings in Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison for a 33.3% stake in Ooredoo Asia, and will acquire an additional 16.7% stake from Ooredoo Group for a cash consideration of US$387 million. Following the above transactions, the parties will each own 50.0% of Ooredoo Asia, to be renamed Ooredoo Hutchison Asia, which will retain a controlling 65.6% ownership stake in the merged company.

    Upon closing of the transactions, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will be jointly controlled by Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison. It will remain listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange, with the Government of Indonesia retaining a 9.6% shareholding, PT Tiga Telekomunikasi Indonesia holding a 10.8% shareholding, and other public shareholders holding approximately 14.0%.

    Subject to necessary Indosat Ooredoo shareholder approvals, the parties have agreed to nominate Vikram Sinha as CEO and Nicky Lee as CFO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison. Ahmad Al-Neama will remain President Director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo and Cliff Woo will remain as CEO of H3I until completion of the merger. Upon completion, Ahmad Al-Neama and Cliff Woo will join the Board of Commissioners of the merged company, subject to the necessary Indosat Ooredoo approvals.

    The parties are committed to prioritizing employee welfare during the integration process in adherence with applicable laws and aligned with future business growth opportunities. The combined company is expected to create exciting growth opportunities for employees, as part of a larger, financially stronger, more competitive and innovative technology company.

    Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Managing Director of Ooredoo Group, said: “This agreement is a significant step towards our shared vision of creating outstanding value for our customers and shareholders by bringing together two of Indonesia’s leading telecoms brands to create a stronger number two player in Indonesia, backed by two highly committed partners in Ooredoo Group and CK Hutchison. With this agreement in place, we can now turn our attention to closing the transaction and then working closely with CK Hutchison to leverage the combined expertise of our respective global telecoms groups to build a world-class digital telco for Indonesia.

    This merged company will deliver significant value and benefits for all stakeholders including Indosat Ooredoo and Ooredoo Group shareholders, for customers, employees and Indonesia. Through economies of scale and the realization of synergies between these highly complementary businesses, the merged company will be well placed to deliver a higher return on investment for all shareholders and build on the outstanding growth momentum already achieved by Indosat Ooredoo. Importantly, the merger will create a company with the strength and scale to accelerate Indonesia’s digital transformation and improve network performance and customer experience across the country.

    Canning Fok, Group Co-Managing Director of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited, said: “This is a great opportunity to create a stronger and more innovative telco player in Indonesia and will be an accretive transaction for shareholders and other stakeholders alike. Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will have a critical mass that will enable it to drive network expansion and improvements that will support the Government’s digital agenda and benefit customers and Indonesia as a whole.”

    “With greater scale, expanded spectrum, and a more efficient cost structure, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison will also be better positioned to extend the rollout of its network and enhance service quality and speed. CK Hutchison invests in and operates telecom businesses in 12 markets around the world, many of which have successfully rolled out 5G networks, and we look forward to expanding innovative 5G services in Indonesia when the time is right.”

    H.E. Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ooredoo Group, concluded: “This merger is a landmark deal for Asia and for Ooredoo Group. It furthers our strategy to drive more value from our portfolio and accelerate digitalization across our global footprint. I look forward to a long and successful partnership with CK Hutchison and to working together to build Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison into a digital champion for Indonesia.”

    Completion of the transaction will be subject to the approval of Ooredoo Group, CK Hutchison, Indosat Ooredoo shareholders, regulatory approvals and other customary terms and conditions. Assuming all approvals are received, the proposed combination is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

    JP Morgan is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Ooredoo Group. Goldman Sachs & Co. and HSBC are acting as joint financial advisors to CK Hutchison. Barclays is acting as financial advisor to Indosat Ooredoo.

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  • CK Hutchison enters global alliance with Xiaomi

    CK Hutchison enters global alliance with Xiaomi

    Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison has entered an agreement with Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi covering distribution of Xiaomi smartphones.

    Under the agreement, CK Hutchison will bring Xiaomi smartphones, as well as IoT and lifestyle products, to its vast network of telecom and retail stores.

    CK Hutchison’s 3 Group and AS Watson brands will be able to broaden their product range, while Xiaomi will benefit from a wider international presence.

    The agreement will initially cover 3 Group’s stores in Hong Kong, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Sweden in the UK and AS Watson stores in Hong Kong, Ireland, UK and the Netherlands.

    Xiaomi also plans to extend its collaboration with CK Hutchison’s operator channels in European markets.

    Recent research from Canalys estimates that Xiaomi had its strongest revenue growth in three years during the first quarter, with unit shipments growing 116% year-on-year to 28.1 million. More than half (nearly 57%) of these were shipped outside of China.

    “Xiaomi has done a great job recovering its position in its home market,” said Canalys Senior Director Nicole Peng. “While China has been a growth engine and profit driver for Xiaomi’s rising service revenue, overseas market expansion has helped it boost market share, both of which will be critical to the success of its IPO,” Canalys senior director Nicole Peng said.

    “It is important to note that Xiaomi’s rapid expansion will bring with it substantial overheads, which will make sustaining its original lightweight cost structure increasingly difficult.”

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  • CK Hutchison hit with $5b tax bill in India

    CK Hutchison hit with $5b tax bill in India

    CK Hutchison Holdings has been hit with a 320.32 billion rupee ($5 billion) tax demand in India over the sale of its Indian mobile business to Vodafone a decade earlier.

    The demand includes a base tax claim of 79 billion rupees, as well as 164.3 billion rupees interest and a 79 billion rupee penalty, CK Hutchison said in a stock exchange filing.

    The company received an initial demand in February and a further notice earlier this month, the filing states. But CK Hutchison has received legal advice that the claim is not enforceable and is therefore expected to have limited impact on its finances.

    Indian tax authorities have been attempting to tax Vodafone over the 2007 sale for a long time, and the government even went so far as retroactively changing tax lawfollowing a Supreme Court decision ruling that the acquisition was not taxable as it involved two offshore holding companies.

    But Vodafone has long resisted paying and is currently involved in international arbitration seeking to have the demand revoked. Now authorities have opened a new front by attempting to tax the seller in the transaction.

    One of Vodafone’s arguments in resisting the claim has been that if the transaction is taxable it should be paid by the seller rather than the buyer.

    CK Hutchison said the legal advice it has received is that retroactively changing the tax law to circumvent the Supreme Court verdict is in violation of the principles of international law.

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  • HGC launches ibizCloud in Vietnam

    HGC launches ibizCloud in Vietnam

    Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) has launched its ibizCloud cloud infrastructure-as-a-service offering to Vietnam, in collaboration with the market’s fourth biggest operator CMC Telecom.

    Under the partnership, HGC is providing the cloud design and international network connectivity, while CMC Telecom is providing local connectivity and branding.

    The service has been customized to suit the Vietnamese market and to satisfy growing bandwidth demands from local corporations.

    Besides infrastructure-as-a-service, ibizCloud also offers bandwidth-as-a-service and on-demand virtual leased line services, as well as virtualized infrastructure including virtual machines, CPU cores, RAM and storage.

    “We are happy to extend ibizCloud service to Vietnam in collaboration with CMC Telecom. This offers a remarkable business opportunity to provide local and international corporate customers with a highly-secure global cloud service,” HGC president Andrew Kwok said.

    “Creation of a cloud site in Hanoi has further strengthened our position in the Greater Mekong Subregion. It is also another successful example of HGC’s niche market strategy.”

    CMC Telecom CEO Ngo Trong Hieua added that the launch marks an extension of the existing collaboration between the company and HGC, which also involves co-operation on international data and voice services.

    “We look forward to prosperous co-operation with HGC over coming years, as we seek to satisfy rapidly growing demand in the cloud market and affirm our position as one of Vietnam’s leading telecoms service providers,” he said.

  • HTHKH 1H profit falls 26%

    HTHKH 1H profit falls 26%

    Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings (HTHKH) has reported a 26% year-on-year decline in net profit for the first half of the year to HK$376 million ($48.5 million), due to weaker than expected smartphone sales.

    Total revenue fell 52% to HK$5.42 billion, with mobile revenue down a significant 62% to HK$3.47 billion.

    Hardware revenue shrank from HK$7.15 billion to HK$1.49 billion as a result of a lack of popular smartphones to sell during the period, the company said in its first-half report.

    Roaming revenue also declined 19%, or HK$87 million, contributing to a 6% decline in mobile net customer service revenue to HK$1.97 billion.

    HTHKH ended June with around 3.1 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau, including about 1.5 million postpaid customers. While the company’s postpaid base stayed largely flat compared to 2H15, churn was reduced to 1.3% from 1.9% over the same period.

    Blended local postpaid net ARPU grew 6% year-on-year to HK$168 as the launch of various new infotainment content and data plans resulted in the acquisition of more data centric customers.

    Fixed line service revenue for the half-year period meanwhile grew 4% year-on-year to HK$2.07 billion, due largely to an increase in revenue from the international and local carrier market. This was driven by growing data demand from OTT applications and IoT-related devices.

    Looking ahead, HTHKH chairman Canning Fok said the company is “planning ahead cautiously in the face of economic uncertainty locally and globally, after developing into a multi-play telecommunications service provider that launches a diversity of  products  and services to meet changing customer demand.”

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  • HGC launches cloud backup service

    HGC launches cloud backup service

    Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) has launched a one-stop enterprise-grade cloud backup service to augment its cloud portfolio.

    The Backup-as-a-Service offering is designed to allow enterprises to back up files, operating systems and applications at he Wong Chuk Hang data center run by HGC GlobalCentre (HGCGC).

    HGC Cloud Backup supports a wide range of brands, operating systems, applications and cloud platforms. It is designed to allow companies to restore and retrieve specific stores of data without the need to recover the entire content of a backup.

    The service is being offered under a pay-as-you-go model and is supported by an online self-service portal.

    HGCGC data centers are designed to meet ISO information security standards, and customers can opt for a private leased line to further improve security.

    In order to enhance the service, HGC has also revealed plans to introduce data backup replication by the end of the year. Backup data will be stored at Kwai Chung as well as the Wong Chuk Hang data centers.

    “Launch of HGC Cloud Backup greatly enriches our portfolio of cloud services,”HTHKH COO Jennifer Tan commented.

    “This new Backup-as-a-Service capability – plus the planned dual data center backup and replication solution – will minimize the worrying risks associated with data storage. Customers will therefore be in a much better position to protect their digital assets and recover critical information during disaster incidents, thereby ensuring robust business continuity.”