Simba-M1 deal: Implications for investors
Simba’s acquisition of M1’s telco business will reduce the number of players in Singapore’s telecoms sector, but it might not lead to less intense competition for market share. Senior correspondent Be...
When M1 finally went on sale last month, everyone thought StarHub would be the buyer. After all, both sit under the Temasek umbrella and consolidation looks neat on paper. Instead, the surprise victor was Simba — the challenger brand better known for rock-bottom, S$10 mega-data plans.
In the latest episode of Mark To Market, from The Business Times hosted by senior correspondent Ben Paul, the deal is put under the microscope. Why Simba? What does it signal for Temasek’s strategy? And will this shake-up really ease competition, or just make it fiercer?
Why listen to this episode?
- To hear why Simba — not StarHub — clinched the deal, and what it tells us about where Singapore’s telco sector is headed.
- To understand whether StarHub dodged a bullet, or if it’s quietly positioned to benefit without taking on M1’s risks.
- To find out why Singtel might be the real winner, with scale, diversification and analysts raising target prices.
Paul also tackles the investor angle. After all, Tuas Ltd, Simba’s Australian-listed parent, has seen its shares soar since the announcement, even as it raises billions to fund the acquisition. A market over-reacting, or spotting a genuine disruptor in the making?
The M1 sale isn’t just about telco plans or cheaper data. It’s a story about competition, consolidation, and how Singapore’s corporate landscape reinvents itself when the rules of the game change.
Catch the full analysis on Mark To Market now.
Navigate Asia in
a new global order
Get the insights delivered to your inbox.
Mark To Market is a podcast of BT Correspondents. Look out for the next episode featuring wealth editor, Genevieve Cua. And if you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out to us at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.
Written and hosted by: Ben Paul (benpaul@sph.com.sg)
Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Ben Paul, Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
Follow BT Correspondents:
Channel: bt.sg/btcobt
Amazon: bt.sg/btcoam
Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/btcoap
Spotify: bt.sg/btcosp
YouTube Music: bt.sg/btcoyt
Website: bt.sg/btcorresp
Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.
---
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Money Hacks: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks
BT Podcasts: bt.sg/pcOM
BT Market Focus: bt.sg/btmktfocus
BT Branded Podcasts: bt.sg/brpod
BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
BT Correspondents brings together some of The Business Times’ most trusted columnists in a single series. Featuring Mark to Market, WealthBT, TransportBT, and PropertyBT, weekly episodes deliver expert analysis and clear perspectives on stocks, wealth, mobility, and real estate. It is essential listening for professionals who want context, clarity, and depth.
TRENDING NOW
On the board but frozen out: The Taib family feud tearing Sarawak construction giant apart
Thai and Vietnamese farmers may stop planting rice because of the Iran war. Here’s why
PayPal plans job cuts as its new CEO pursues turnaround strategy
MAS, bank CEOs convene over AI cyberthreats; boards told to own risks, not leave to IT teams
