Maxis to Acquire Astro Broadband Business for RM83 Million

Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd has signed a conditional sale and purchase agreement to acquire the broadband business assets of Astro Malaysia Holdings' subsidiary, MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (MBNS), for up to RM83 million. The announcement, confirmed via Bursa Malaysia filings on 24 October 2026, transfers up to 178,631 active home fibre subscribers to Maxis. The deal expands Maxis' fixed-line footprint across Malaysian households while allowing Astro to exit network operations following the suspension of new sign-ups in February 2026.

Key Facts

How Much Will Maxis Actually Pay for the Broadband Business?

The final consideration is capped at RM83 million but scales downward based on the volume of active subscribers successfully transferred to Maxis. According to details from The Star, Astro receives the full RM83 million only if at least 155,000 subscribers migrate. The price drops to RM82 million for 150,000 to 154,999 subscribers, and RM80 million for 145,000 to 149,999 subscribers.

If the final tally drops below 145,000 subscribers, the purchase price decreases by RM500 for every customer below that baseline. Maxis will finance the entire purchase price through internal cash reserves without taking on dedicated external debt. The transaction excludes Astro's intellectual property, brand names, trademarks, and goodwill.

Maxis will only pay the full RM83 million consideration if a minimum threshold of 155,000 active Astro broadband subscribers are migrated to its network.

Why Is Astro Exiting the Fixed Broadband Market?

Astro is divesting its broadband assets to refocus corporate capital on its core media operations, specifically content production, linear broadcasting, advertising, and entertainment. After launching broadband services in 2022 to diversify away from pay-TV, the group ceased onboarding new Astro Fibre customers in February 2026 to contain network overheads.

The assets carried an initial investment cost of RM28 million and held a net book value of RM36.6 million as of 30 September 2026. Astro projects a net gain of RM31.4 million following asset derecognition, allocating RM1.65 million toward transaction expenses, regulatory filings, and shareholder meeting costs, with the remainder reserved for working capital.

Astro's broadband divestment yields an estimated net gain of RM31.4 million as the broadcaster terminates its four-year venture into direct internet service provision.

What Are the Regulatory Approvals and Migration Conditions?

Completion of the transaction is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027, subject to customary corporate and regulatory sign-offs. Astro requires majority shareholder approval, while Maxis must secure formal confirmation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that the acquisition will not be subjected to a formal market assessment.

To prevent disruption for active subscribers, both companies will execute post-completion support agreements governing the progressive migration of user accounts and physical network equipment. Contracts, operational software, and hardware inventories transfer to Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd as part of the asset purchase.

The transfer of 178,631 subscribers remains subject to MCMC notification and Astro shareholder approval before closing in the second quarter of 2027.

What It Means for Malaysian Buyers

For existing Astro Fibre customers, current broadband access continues without immediate interruption, though new customer sign-ups remain suspended nationwide. Active users will eventually be migrated directly into Maxis' fixed network infrastructure under post-completion transition agreements, presenting Maxis with an opportunity to offer convergent mobile and home fibre plans.

Consumers seeking a new fibre broadband plan cannot sign up for Astro Fibre packages and must evaluate alternative Malaysian retail service providers, including Maxis Fibre, Unifi, CelcomDigi, and Time. Subscribers currently bundled with Astro pay-TV and broadband will see their internet billing and technical provisioning decouple as network assets transfer to Maxis Broadband Sdn Bhd.

Common Questions

Can new customers currently sign up for Astro Fibre?

No. Astro halted all new onboarding for Astro Fibre packages in February 2026. Prospective broadband subscribers must consider alternative local providers such as Maxis, CelcomDigi, or Unifi for new fixed-line internet installations.

What happens to existing Astro broadband contracts?

Existing subscribers maintain active service while the transaction progresses toward its expected second-quarter 2027 closing. Operational agreements between Astro and Maxis are planned to migrate customer contracts, software, and equipment without terminating ongoing connectivity.

How will Maxis finance the RM83 million purchase?

Maxis confirmed in its Bursa Malaysia filing that the acquisition will be funded entirely via internally generated funds, requiring no specialized debt financing or share issuances to complete the transaction.

Sources and Methodology

Reported details are based on official Bursa Malaysia regulatory filings and reporting from Lowyat.NET and The Star published on 24 October 2026. All financial figures are cited in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) as originally reported; no foreign currency conversions were applied.