The Indonesian government has indicated that it will give formal approval to Malaysian telecommunications operator Axiata Group Bhd to buy a stake in PT Axis Telekom Indonesia later in 2013. The Ministry of Communications and Information has given initial approval for the acquisition of Axis, the majority of which is owned by the Saudi Telecom Company and the Axiata Group. The ministry has stated that the acquisition of Axis by XL Axiata would help level out the competition among operators in the Indonesian telecommunications market, which is overcrowded with 14 operators at present.
