M1 acquires Qala for USD14.9m

Singaporean mobile operator MobileOne (M1) has purchased local internet service provider (ISP) Qala Communication as it looks to get a leg up in the domestic broadband services market. As a result of the USD14.9 million cash purchase, M1 hopes to be able to ‘enter the corporate fixed broadband business quickly by leveraging on the presence and experience of Qala in this market,’ said its chief executive Karen Kooi. M1’s rivals SingTel and StarHub also offer broadband and pay-TV services which they bundle at a discounted rate in order to poach customers from M1 – with success to date. M1, the city-state’s smallest operator is considered something of a ‘one-trick pony’ since it only offers cellular services. However, acquiring Qala, a specialist in delivering broadband services to business users, will give it a vital inroad to the lucrative business broadband market, the company said.