Celcom Axiata Berhad was crowned Wireless Data Service Provider of the Year at the 2013 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards on Wednesday. The award marks the second win for Celcom in the same category since 2010 and complements the three awards that the telco achieved at the 2013 Frost & Sullivan Malaysia Excellence Awards in May.
[Suresh Sidhu, Chief Corporate & Operations Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad (left) was present to accept the award on behalf of Celcom from Kavan Mukhtyar, Partner, Frost & Sullivan (right) at the recent 2013 Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards.]
Celcom’s other Malaysian awards from Frost & Sullivan this year included its fifth recognition as Mobile Service Provider of the Year and its second win for the Broadband Service Provider of the Year award. It was also the first time that Celcom was recognised as Telecommunications Wholesale Service Provider of the Year.
Suresh Sidhu, Chief Corporate & Operations Officer of Celcom Axiata Berhad was present to accept the award on behalf of Celcom. “This recognition is definitive for excellence in the industry and I thank all our Celcom customers – over 13 million of them – for the unwavering support and loyalty they have shown to us, we are indeed delighted to receive this honour. This award belongs as much to Celcom’s management and employees as to excellent guidance provided by our parent, Axiata Group Berhad,” he said.
The selection of Celcom for the Wireless Data Service Provider of the Year was based on the parameters of growth in mobile subscriber base, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) margins, market share, ARPU (average revenue per user), and for its exemplary growth and performance in the Asia Pacific region.
Suresh added, “Celcom will also have a stronger focus on IT transformation as a key enabler in managing customers’ expectation and experience. It is these commitments that will sustain Celcom next stage of growth as it go deeper into rural areas and bring affordable telecommunications services to a larger section of the population. This accolade stands testimony to Celcom’s ability to continuously raise the bar in driving innovation and operational efficiency within the industry to ensure that our customers get the best possible products and service.”
Nipun Jaiswal, Industry Analyst – Asia Pacific ICT Practice of Frost & Sullivan, commented, “A well-designed marketing strategy was the keystone to Celcom’s success. Celcom has showcased an excellent performance in various areas such as mobile data revenue growth, mobile data ARPU, mobile broadband and innovative initiatives for mobile data. In registering the positive figure of revenue, Celcom’s stellar growth is also driven by increasing adoption of advanced data services such as postpaid mobile internet and prepaid data subscription.”
“Through its ‘data ubiquity’ drive, on the ground campaigns and road shows, Celcom is able to reach out to targeted customer segments effectively and offers more values that translate into positive customer experience. In empowering market leadership in Malaysia, Celcom has kept the strong track through attractive new products, enticing smart-bundling offers and increased take-up of broadband for tablets,” he added.
The annual Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards is now in its tenth year and identifies exemplary achievements within a multitude of industries and functional disciplines. Awards are applicable to all companies regardless of size or public or private shareholding. Companies that are commended as Best Practice Award recipients demonstrate diligence, perseverance, and dedication as they excel in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
