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StarHub’s failure to buy M1 might be a good thing

Instead of playing the spurned groom, StarHub could well see an opening to scoop up new subscribers and boost its market share

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Benjamin Cher

Benjamin Cher

Published Wed, Aug 13, 2025 · 05:44 PM
    • The only thing that could spoil the future upside for StarHub is if regulators veto the deal, which could leave the telco market back at square one.
    • The only thing that could spoil the future upside for StarHub is if regulators veto the deal, which could leave the telco market back at square one. PHOTO: BT FILE

    DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.

    [SINGAPORE] When news broke of the sale of M1 to Simba, it seemed like StarHub was left at the altar, as the market whispers of a merger had reached fever pitch at the start of 2025.

    With the sale of M1’s consumer business to the smallest Singapore telco for S$1.4 billion in cash, the market reacted negatively to StarHub’s failure to seal the deal. StarHub’s share price fell some 6.6 per cent on Monday (Aug 11), the day the deal was announced.

    But not buying M1 might be a good move for StarHub in the long run.

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