Business Insight Zone

A big phone company, that’s what.

Malaysian business magnate Ananda Krishnan plans to buy Maxis Communications, the #2 telco in Malaysia, possibly with an eye towards expanding its operations in the fast-growing phone markets of India and Indonesia.

The move reminds me of the approach taken by the fascinating Egyptian magnate Naguib Sawiris, whose Orascom Telecom Holding has built a huge business by providing wireless phone service in markets across Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Two years ago, Sawiris even shouldered his way into Europe when an investment firm he controls bought a majority stake in Italy’s #3 mobile carrier, Wind Telecomunicazioni. It will be impressive indeed if Krishnan can broaden his own telecom holdings on par with Sawiris.