After 25 successful years in Thailand, Telenor has agreed to sell its stake in
True Corporation for a total value of approximately NOK 39 billion.
Telenor Group has signed an agreement with Arise Digital Technology Company
Limited, a company owned by Khun Suphachai Chearavanont, to sell 24.95 percent
of the shares in True at THB 11.70 per share. In addition, Arise and Telenor
haves agreed a mutual put/call option for the sale of the remaining 5.35 percent
two years after closing of the initial sale at the higher of THB 11.70 per share
and the market price prior to the term of the option.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Arise about the sale of our
stake in True and I would also like to extend a special thanks to True's
employees and customers. We are confident that the engaged people in True will
continue to grow and innovate for its around 60 million customers", says
Benedicte Schilbred Fasmer, CEO of Telenor.
Ms Schilbred Fasmer also expresses gratitude to Khun Suphachai Chearavanont for
the constructive discussions, which facilitated a mutually beneficial
transaction.
"We are committed to sustaining our positive momentum, delivering profitable
growth and value creation in True in the years ahead. We appreciate the close
cooperation we've had with Telenor in signing the definitive agreements", says
Khun Suphachai Chearavanont, owner of Arise.
A valuable journey for Telenor's shareholders
Over 25 years, Telenor went from investing in TAC in the year 2000 to building
dtac into one of Thailand's leading operators, making mobile connectivity
affordable and widely accessible to tens of millions of Thais.
In 2023, dtac and True completed a landmark merger to form the new True
Corporation listed on Stock Exchange of Thailand. That was then Southeast Asia's
largest telecoms deal and created Thailand's largest telecom tech company, with
the scale to invest in 5G, AI and digital services.
"Before the 2021 merger talks, our shareholding in Thailand was valued at NOK 12
billion. Today the value of our shareholding stands at some NOK 39 billion,
based on the agreed sale price and the current exchange rate. Together with our
partner True Corporation we have established market leadership in Thailand while
also generating shareholder value", says Ms Schilbred Fasmer.
The transaction price of THB 11.70 per share represents a 36 percent increase to
the closing price for the first trading day of True Corporation after the merger
in March 2023, and a 4% premium to the last 3 months volume weighted average
share price.
Two divestments in Asia
"At our Capital Markets Day in November, we said that we looked for structural
value creation opportunities in Asia. With the completion of the sale of Telenor
Pakistan in December, and the agreement to sell our shares in True we have taken
big steps in delivering on that strategy", says Ms Schilbred Fasmer.
These divestments are part of Telenor's strategic commitment to structural
simplification, as outlined at the Capital Markets Day. The transactions will
provide focus and resources for Telenor's four strategic priorities towards
2030: Growth through customer excellence, technology-led transformation,
tapering expenses and focus on creating shareholder value.
Telenor expects the sale of True shares to contribute to our stated goal to
increase the return on capital employed. The transaction also underpins our goal
to evolve into a more Nordic-centric provider of secure connectivity over time.
Financial effects
The proceeds from the sale of 24.95 percent of the sale in True will be THB
100.9 billion (approx. NOK 32.3 billion at the current exchange rates), and the
proceeds from exercising the option after two years will be THB 21.9 billion
(approx. NOK 6.9 billion at the current exchange rates).
Top-line growth, efficiency realisation and capital allocation are the three key
drivers of Telenor's shareholder-value creation strategy. Capital discipline,
shareholder remuneration, and having an effective balance sheet remain essential
to deliver on this over time. Telenor will provide further detail on the
anticipated use of proceeds in connection with Telenor's Q4 2025 results
presentation on 6 February 2026.
Telenor will recognise an accounting gain of approximately NOK 14.7 billion
(assuming current exchange rates) at the closing of the initial sale. NOK 1.6
billion of the gain is related to recycling of historical currency translation
differences, previously recognised as other comprehensive income, with no effect
on Telenor's equity. The transaction is subject to customary conditions and is
expected to close within a few months.
For additional information, please contact:
Frank Maaø, SVP Capital Markets and Investor Relations (+47 91674045)
Thomas Midteide, SVP and Chief Communications Officer (+47 96232017)
Information in this announcement is considered inside information pursuant to EU
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and subject to the disclosure requirements
pursuant to MAR Article 17 and Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading
Act.