SLT-Mobitel epitomises true essence of a Most Admired Company in Sri Lanka

SLT Group Chairman Rohan Fernando

SLT Group CEO Lalith Seneviratne

SLT CEO Kiththi Perera

Mobitel Acting CEO Chandika Vitharana

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and SLT Mobitel unveiled their unified brand identity on 1 January at SLT Headquarters

With a history spanning over 163 years, SLT-Mobitel, the National Information and Telecommunications Services Provider has been the backbone infrastructure services provider in Sri Lanka. During the transformational journey, the group has carved a path of opportunities that have enabled and empowered Sri Lankans to evolve with digital technology and connectivity since its inception. 

SLT-Mobitel is also on a promising path that has helped elevate the country’s stance in the global arena and has no doubt secured for itself a signature as well as laid claim to be recognised and included amongst the ‘Most Admired Companies’ in the country today.

SLT-Mobitel has had a tremendous flow of successful undertakings and recognitions for the work that has been achieved, not only in fulfilling the needs of the public but also as a pioneering entity with a solid aim of transforming the nation through cutting-edge technology inspired solutions in the ICT realm and enabling the growth trajectory of the nation that is capable of embracing a digital lifestyle. 

The SLT-Mobitel Group provides a range of diversified services and innovative ICT solutions covering fixed and mobile telephony, broadband, data services, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), cloud computing and hosting services, and networking solutions to its varied customers via the latest technologies. The Group’s main strategic segments mainly focus on three areas of operations; Fixed ICT, Mobile ICT and other segment operations. Fixed and mobile ICT operations make up SLT-Mobitel’s core business. 

The SLT-Mobitel group has the advantage of accessibility and has a reach that extends across the entire nation. The group caters to an array of customers; from domestic users and wholesale customers to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), retail customers, multinationals and public sector institutions.

Connecting the nation through supreme connectivity solutions

Amongst the many other advances that SLT-Mobitel has made over the years, SLT-Mobitel has a reach through designated Teleshops and regional telecom offices located strategically and in convenient locations across the country. During 2019, SLT-Mobitel embarked on a national level expansion by introducing latest flagship stores and is set to continue, covering other parts of the nation to provide enhanced customer convenience.

Other segments that SLT-Mobitel has delved into include subsidiaries that offer services such as ICT infrastructure and system integrator solutions, IPTV services and content creation facilities, tertiary educational services, healthcare channelling platform, digital marketing solutions, human resources solutions, directory services, property management and submarine cable maintenance.

Speaking of submarine cable services, SLT-Mobitel was also behind instigating one of its newest ventures; South Asia’s first submarine cable depot, located in Galle. Known as the Galle Submarine Cable Depot Ltd., this entity was a joint venture which was formed in conjunction with Indian Ocean Cableship Private Limited (IOCPL) to operate South Asia’s first Submarine Cable Depot and operations commenced in January 2019. The objective is to provide submarine cable spare storage facilities for regional telecom operators under the South East Asia Indian Ocean Cable Maintenance Agreement (SEAIOCMA) zone.

SLT-Mobitel has successfully laid out nearly 60,00 kms of optical fibre across the entire island, helping to extend fibre access through FTTH technology. With the implementation of FTTH network, SLT-Mobitel’s 57,000 kms length of legacy access network of copper cables are valued over Rs. 6 billion and this is set to be monetised in future, while being replaced with fibre technology. Over 300 nodes have been connected countrywide as well, and will assist in accumulating all traffic from various points in the island, giving the organisation with the chance to route data to its destination within milliseconds. The core transmission network has been equally built with an ultra-high-speed capacity and cutting-edge routers.

SLT-Mobitel has been instrumental in pioneering various deployments and placing Sri Lanka on a higher pedestal amongst other countries in South Asia. SLT-Mobitel has readily invested into elevating 4G LTE and 5G coverage and in 2019, had carried out the largest broadband expansion with an investment of over $ 100 million. Further, Mobitel was the first to launch a Super 3.5G HSPA network in South Asia, successfully demonstrating HSPA+ MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology and launched the first commercial 4.5G/4G LTE+ mobile network. SLT-Mobitel also successfully trialled the first 5G network, achieving a new speed record of 1.55 Gbps for the first time in South Asia using a commercial 5G mobile smartphone.

Commenting on SLT-Mobitel’s journey over the years, SLT-Mobitel Group Chairman Rohan Fernando shared, “It is an absolute privilege for SLT-Mobitel to be named amongst the most successful businesses in the island that have showcased excellence in leadership and integrity. It is crucial for our country to have companies that give back to our society and have a common goal of uplifting the nation through innovation. Throughout the years, SLT-Mobitel has launched countless initiatives and partnerships to support individuals, organisations, professional bodies, schools, and hospitals to have the necessary ICT infrastructure enabling national economic growth and development. Despite facing unforeseen challenges this year, SLT-Mobitel was able to remain resilient and committed to providing unparalleled connectivity solutions to enhance the lives of Sri Lanka’s future generations.”  

A brand unification for a lasting legacy

One of the highlights of the Group, and seen as a timely instigation with the dawn of a new year, was the brand unification of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel, when history was made in the name of national connectivity. Both brands joined hands and today, move forward as SLT-Mobitel in all their undertakings whilst coming together to assist in realising the Government’s objective of creating a technology-driven economy and a technology-based society. SLT-Mobitel’s association with the state sector is set to immensely contribute towards the digitalisation of the country, and have aggressively embarked on implementing rural connectivity solutions in rural areas of the country.

With this new approach and the build-up of two strong, well-recognised and trusted entities synergising into one, the SLT-Mobitel brand equity will continue to move forward and further elevate its vision of achieving all its digitisation goals for the country. Today, the SLT-Mobitel Group is more than just a connectivity partner, and is considered as a lifestyle company that is uncompromising in its aim of impacting the public’s outlook in life and providing them with a sense of empowerment. This newfound establishing of synergy between SLT and Mobitel makes the brand unification a truly Sri Lankan enterprise and an ideal first choice when it comes to digital technology, helping bring everyone together and more connected than ever.  

SLT-Mobitel has been an active member of the SEA-ME-WE consortiums right from the inception and has been connected globally via SEA-ME-WE 3, SEA-ME-WE 4 & 5 and two other private cables to India and Maldives. Following SLT-Mobitel’s investment in the new SEA-ME-WE 6 cable, the country’s global connectivity capacity was formed to move on to the next level - with Terabits of capacity; making Sri Lanka and SLT-Mobitel ready to take on this anticipated data explosion.

 Blessed with a winning streak

SLT-Mobitel has undoubtedly exhibited the nation its level of expertise and drive towards achieving amazing feats across the country’s digital landscape. The Group has gone on to win a range of awards throughout the years. SLT-Mobitel’s achievements include, Mobitel being recognised as the Service Brand of the Year at SLIM Brand Excellence Awards and Mobitel’s Mobile money platform, mCash was heralded with the Gold award for ‘Online Brand of the year’ at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards. These recognitions exemplify SLT-Mobitel’s dominion in the Mobile and digital payment industries. In 2019, SLT-Mobitel returned home with five coveted awards from the ACEF Global Customer Engagement Forum Awards in India. The Group secured three Golds and two Silver awards. Mobitel also received a Gold Special Award for a national level CSR campaign where the organisation made best use of a social message in consumer engagement. One of the Silver awards received was under the Special Award category – Most Admired Mobile App and the second Silver award was for a national level CSR activity.

Sri Lanka Telecom secured multiple awards at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2020 awarded by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, winning the ‘Top Ten Corporate Citizen Award’, along with a ‘Category Award on Economic Contribution’ and a ‘Sector Award on Other Sectors’. Some of the organisation’s many other achievements include being included amongst the Top 100 of Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards 2019. Also, for SLT to be named among ‘Asia’s Most Trusted Companies’ in 2019 is no coincidence. 

The company has also received the Gold Award in the ‘Infrastructure and Utilities’ sector at the National Business Excellence Awards, the Sector Award for Best Performance at the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards 2019 organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and was also the winner of the ‘Broadband Service Provider with a Social Impact’ at the Get to Fast Faster (GTFF) Conference 2019. Sri Lanka Telecom was also bestowed with the CSR Leadership Award which was presented to the company, for their commitment towards community development. 

BestWeb.lk also recognised SLT-Mobitel with the Most Popular Corporate Website award. SLT was also the first telecommunications company in the country to have been recognised with the ISO 14064 carbon footprint certification. This certification makes up a series of international standards that have been developed to address the quantification and reporting of GHG emissions from organisations. With this certification, it places, SLT in the forefront as an organisation that complies with internationally recognised GHG emission reporting standards and confirms SLT as one that is committed to uphold this responsibility to their stakeholder, society and the environment.

Reaping financial benefits in the face of adversity

The COVID-19 pandemic had hit the country hard, but so did the rest of the world suffer. However, no pandemic was strong enough to affect the Group, as it only continued to plough through, regardless. By the end of 2020, SLT-Mobitel recorded a successful financial year, noting a significant 25% YoY growth in profit after tax to Rs. 7.9 billion, despite the challenges that arose with the aftermath of the pandemic. Higher broadband revenue which was also exaggerated by the accelerated fibre expansion program and growth in mobile broadband services helped achieve group revenue which climbed to Rs. 91.1 billion for the year, with a 6% YoY growth. During the year, revenue for PEOTV and carrier services also progressed.  

Group revenue for Q4 of 2020 rose by 4% QoQ to Rs. 24.0 billion and recorded the highest quarterly revenue achieved for FY 2020. The operating profit for the quarter increased by 27%, when compared to the same quarter of the previous year, reaching Rs. 1.9 billion, a decline of 33% when compared with 3Q 2020. The Group profit after tax for the quarter reported at Rs. 1.1 billion, a drop of 48% QoQ, mainly due to the higher operating costs and opposing effects from changes seen in foreign currencies. Further, the mobile arm of SLT-Mobitel too succeeded in elevating its revenue figures despite the descent of macroeconomic conditions which prevailed through 2020. Mobitel reported positive growth which evolved from concurrent growth in revenue and from cutbacks in operational expenditure. Revenue for FY 2020 was recorded at Rs. 43.2 billion, up by 8% compared to FY 2019. Backed by the growth in revenue and fittingly supported by operational productivity, Mobitel was able to record substantial growth in all key profitability indicators. 

The company recorded a development with Rs. 3.1 billion, in Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA), an increase of 23% YoY. EBIT increased by Rs. 2.6 billion in FY 2020, which is an increase of 50% when compared to FY 2019 and its highest ever profit after tax of Rs. 4.9 billion in FY 2020, an increase by 53% YoY. The Group also paid a total of Rs. 17.1 billion as direct and indirect taxes, including levies to the Government in FY 2020. SLT-Mobitel’s financial results for 2020 thus demonstrate the Group’s resilience and   success in continually providing essential telecom services to the country no matter the situation.

Sharing his insight on the significant progress that the brand unification is bringing to the forefront of digital transformation in Sri Lanka, SLT Group Chief Executive Officer Lalith Seneviratne remarked, “Even when faced with a pandemic, SLT-Mobitel continued to offer uninterrupted services to our customers and maintained the inclusion of concessionary education packages to students and also for Work-from-Home arrangements. Whilst identifying the needs of local businesses and communities, we also moved forward to introduce an array of digital channels that would cater to customer services, SmartHome solutions and a trading platform for agriculture products. With the brand unification in full force, SLT-Mobitel’s current stance gives us the opportunity to merge our capabilities and enhance our market brand presence. With the country gathering momentum gradually and getting back into track with regards to the pandemic, SLT-Mobitel is set to introduce a pre-commercial 5G service using 3.5 GHz, by mid-2021. Additionally, a research and development centre has also been initiated with the aim of fast-tracking innovations and sustaining a consistent streak of success in the market.”

Helping the nation through meaningful CSR activities

SLT-Mobitel was able to record its best ever operational results in 2020, even while safeguarding the welfare of their staff members without any reservations and had managed to end the year without any kind of industrial dispute. In light of the pandemic that overwhelmed the most part of 2020, the group still went forward with their CSR initiatives and worked hard to continue operating and serving their customers. Alongside the ongoing work, SLT-Mobitel took a lead into contributing to the ITUKAMA COVID-19 fund which was initiated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Staff members had also voluntarily contributed to the fund. 

Under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility programs, SLT-Mobitel had gone to unparalleled lengths of initiating community service at the height of the pandemic. These activities included the distribution of health and safety equipment to the health sector, food and supplies to under-privileged communities, and medical infrastructure facilities for hospitals around the country. Being the country’s ICT and mobile service provider, SLT-Mobitel also took the lead to provide connectivity solutions to many isolated villages through the implementation of SLT and Mobitel networks which proved to make a big difference to these communities whilst also assisting in the continuation of online education for rural children, without any hindrance. Frontline employees at SLT-Mobitel had also willingly offered to serve customers and work in the field, in full adherence of hygiene protocols. Their productivity demonstrated the success which was witnessed, where they helped provide uninterrupted services to the country as well as for all critical national services in 2020 and that too whilst maintaining their safety and without anyone having been infected with COVID-19.

Alongside this, a number of other CSR initiatives also include the introduction of Bus Library Projects where SLT-Mobitel partnered with Ministry of Transport to transform decommissioned SLTB buses into mobile libraries. These libraries will contain reading facilities, Wi-Fi connectivity and other support systems to empower school children from rural areas to help them connect with the digital world of information. 

As the National ICT and Telecommunications Service Provider, SLT-Mobitel is committed to leading Sri Lanka towards a knowledge-based society by empowering every Sri Lankan with supreme connectivity solutions and transforming business with digitalisation, thereby helping the Government’s vision of creating a Digital Sri Lanka.