About Telecom Operators sector in Asia
The Telecom Operators sector in Asia comprises 3.57K companies, including 370 funded companies having collectively raised $73.7B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 313 are Series A+ funded, and 1 has achieved unicorn status.
Telecom Operators sector in Asia has seen 115 acquisitions and 148 IPOs. This represents almost 7.4% of all such companies - which is higher than the 5.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes telecom operators providing voice and internet services to the residential and business customers.
Telecom Operators sector is also known as Wireless Communication Operators, Wireless Subscribers or Telecommunication Operators.
All the companies that provide communication services (voice or data) like wireless (cellular, wi-fi, MVNOs), fixed-line (fiber, cable), business telephony (VoIP, PBX), and satellite communication are included in this sector. Telecom companies that don't provide services directly to the end customers (residential or business) like telecom infrastructure (towers, equipment, network), OSS/BSS players, system integrators etc. Also doesn't include companies providing mobile handsets, phone systems, modems etc. Also excludes installation & deployment services provider.
Top Telecom Operators Companies in Asia
There are 3,572 Telecom Operators startups in Asia which include SK Telecom, Airtel, Globe Telecom, SoftBank, U Mobile. Out of these, 370 startups are funded, with 313 having secured Series A+ funding, and 1 achieving unicorn status.
Over the past 10 years, an average of 99 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Technion Israel Institute Technology, Tel Aviv University and Harvard University.
Here is the list of top Telecom Operators startups in Asia
1. SK Telecom
Provider of integrated telecommunication services. It focuses on driving innovations in areas of telecommunications, media, AI, metaverse, cloud and connected intelligence to deliver greater value for both individuals and enterprises. In 2022, the company recorded annual revenues of $13.39B and a net profit of $0.69B
Key facts about SK Telecom
- Founded Year: 1984
- Location: Seoul (South Korea)
- Stage: Public
- Investors: HSBC, Bank of America and 4 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Conventional Debt, Apr 10, 2018, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 77/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 4 of 4,078 Competitors
2. Airtel
Telecommunications company. Its services includes local & international calls on mobile phones, prepaid & postpaid mobile data plans, SMS, MMS, 4G & 5G networks, international roaming, and landline calls. It also provides home automation, security, and energy management products.
Key facts about Airtel
- Founded Year: 1995
- Location: Delhi (India)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $292M
- Investors: Warburg Pincus, Emergent Capital Partners and 22 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Jul 15, 2022, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 11 of 4,078 Competitors
Key facts about Globe Telecom
- Founded Year: 1935
- Location: Taguig (Philippines)
- Stage: Public
- Investors: Bank of the Philippine Islands, Metrobank and 1 Other
- Latest Funding Round: Conventional Debt, Sep 27, 2023, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 13 of 4,078 Competitors
4. SoftBank
SoftBank is a Japanese technology conglomerate that provides a range of services, including mobile telecommunications, internet, and fixed-line telecommunications. The company also offers various lifestyle services, including energy management, robotics, and online banking. With a strong focus on innovation, SoftBank is committed to leveraging its proprietary knowledge and data to create value through robotics and other technologies globally.
Key facts about SoftBank
- Founded Year: 1986
- Location: Tokyo (Japan)
- Stage: Funding Raised
- Tracxn Score: 74/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 14 of 4,078 Competitors
5. U Mobile
Key facts about U Mobile
- Founded Year: 1998
- Location: Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $303M
- Investors: ST Telemedia, Qualcomm and 4 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Conventional Debt, Nov 17, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 73/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 15 of 4,078 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Telecom Operators sector in Asia
201 Telecom Operators startups in Asia were founded in 2018 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | 3 |
2024 | 13 |
2023 | 56 |
2022 | 113 |
2021 | 120 |
2020 | 154 |
2019 | 138 |
2018 | 201 |
2017 | 198 |
Stage-wise distribution of Telecom Operators sector companies in Asia
Out of the total 3,572 Telecom Operators companies in Asia, 370 have secured funding. Among them, 313 have reached Series A or higher, and 291 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 3,572
Funded - 370
Series A+ - 313
Series B+ - 291
Series C+ - 282
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 3,572 |
Funded | 370 |
Series A+ | 313 |
Series B+ | 291 |
Series C+ | 282 |
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Funding Trends in the Telecom Operators sector in Asia
Total funding year-on-year in the Telecom Operators sector in Asia
The Telecom Operators sector in Asia saw a total funding of more than $56.4B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding was in 2020 at more than $23B.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2025 | $1.09B |
2024 | $1.09B |
2023 | $6.79B |
2022 | $1.52B |
2021 | $941M |
2020 | $23B |
2019 | $1.63B |
2018 | $10.1B |
2017 | $1.29B |
Recent Funding Rounds in Telecom Operators in Asia
In the year 2025, till June 2025, Telecom Operators companies in Asia have raised $50M in equity funding across 2 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till June 2024), Telecom Operators companies in Asia had raised $110M across 6 rounds.
So, 2025 has seen a 54.43% drop in funding in Telecom Operators companies in Asia as compared to 2024.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Telecom Operators companies in Asia:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series A | 1838 | Jun 27, 2025 | - | |
Series B | 1380 | Jun 18, 2025 | ||
Series C | 6755 | Sep 17, 2024 | ||
Series A | 3646 | Jun 12, 2024 | ||
Series C | 8519 | May 23, 2024 |
Top Investors in Telecom Operators in Asia
Accel is the top investor in Telecom Operators companies in Asia based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Telecom Operators companies in Asia:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Palo Alto (United States) | ||
London (United Kingdom) | - | |
New York City (United States) | ||
Toronto (Canada) | ||
London (United Kingdom) |
M&A activity in Telecom Operators sector in Asia
In the year 2025, till August 2025, 3 acquisitions happened in Telecom Operators sector in Asia. Last year, in 2024, a total of 8 acquisitions happened in Telecom Operators sector in Asia.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Telecom Operators sector in Asia:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Aug 13, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Aug 11, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jan 28, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Dec 05, 2024 | - | |
Business Acquisition | Nov 04, 2024 |
Acquisition trends in Telecom Operators sector in Asia
Here are the acquisition trends in Telecom Operators sector in Asia:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | 3 |
2024 | 8 |
2023 | 10 |
2022 | 8 |
2021 | 9 |
2020 | 4 |
2019 | 9 |
2018 | 13 |
2017 | 6 |
IPOs in Telecom Operators in Asia
In the year 2025, till October 2025, 1 IPO happened in Telecom Operators sector in Asia.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Telecom Operators sector in Asia:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Oct 16, 2025 | Singapore stock exchange. ( SGX) | |
Apr 25, 2024 | Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE) | |
Apr 12, 2024 | Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE) | |
Apr 01, 2024 | Singapore stock exchange. ( SGX) | |
Mar 07, 2024 | Saudi Stock Exchange (TADAWUL) |
Colleges which produce the most Telecom Operators companies in Asia
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Telecom Operators in Asia
Most number of Telecom Operators startups in Asia have been founded by alumni from Technion Israel Institute Technology, Tel Aviv University and Harvard University.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Technion Israel Institute Technology | 9 |
Tel Aviv University | 6 |
Harvard University | 4 |
IIT Delhi | 4 |
INSEAD | 3 |
Stanford University | 3 |
BITS Pilani | 2 |
Columbia University | 2 |
Harvard Business School | 2 |
IIM Ahmedabad | 2 |
Total funding in Telecom Operators companies founded by alumni from top colleges in Asia
In the last 10 years, INSEAD graduates' Telecom Operators companies in Asia have raised the most funding among top colleges. Harvard University and Harvard Business School alumni are second.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
INSEAD | $433M |
Harvard University | $250M |
Harvard Business School | $250M |
Columbia University | $222M |
Booth School of Business | $183M |
University of Chicago | $183M |
Tsinghua University | $80.6M |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $69.2M |
IIT Delhi | $65.1M |
IIT Kharagpur | $65.1M |
Top News in Telecom Operators in Asia
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TP-Link Tapo C465 4K Solar Security Camera Launches in the USNotebookcheck Publishing GmbH•Jan 07, 2026•TP-Link
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DOCOMO Innovation Fund IV: Corporate Venture Investment Fund LaunchedWebwire•Dec 27, 2025•docomo.ne.jp, Accenture
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U Mobile to roll out next generation 5G network across 20 IGB propertiesThe Star Online•Dec 10, 2025•U Mobile, IGB Berhad
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TP-Link Tapo Launches Solar-Powered 4G LTE Smart Security Camera in EuropeNotebookcheck Publishing GmbH•Nov 25, 2025•TP-Link
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