Agenda

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09:00 - 09:10

TMT Finance M&A Deal Talk – Which Deals are Next?

 

Speaker

Yedda Wang, Asia Editor, TMT Finance

TMT Finance’s Asia Editor Yedda Wang takes to the stage to deliver a keynote speech containing vital analysis and reflection on the deals that have transpired in APAC in the past twelve months and the deals that are on the horizon. 

  • Speaker

    Yedda Wang
    Asia Editor
    TMT Finance

09:30 - 10:10

TMT Leaders Panel: Charting Growth, Transactions and Unveiling New Frontiers across Digital Infrastructure in APAC

 

Moderated by Justin Jameson, Partner, Altman Solon 

 

Speakers

Thomas Hundt, Group CSTO, Axiata 

Sachin Gupta, MD, Strategic Portfolio, Singtel

Projesh Banerjea, Director, Infrastructure, KKR

Kunal Agarwal, Managing Director, I Squared Capital

Leaders across the telecom and digital infrastructure investment landscape explore the pivotal strategies and insights essential for navigation the next era of growth across APAC. As the region grows as a focal point for developments, this session will delve into innovative approaches that operators and investors must adopt to stay ahead of the curve and capitalise on the increasing demand set for the region. 

 

  • What are the prospects for growth across telecoms and digital infrastructure in APAC?
  • What impact will AI have on business models and investment strategies? What other emerging trends and disruptive technologies are shaping the future of the industry? 
  • Deep diving into opportunities within MNOs, fibre optics, towers, datacentres and tech services. 
  • How are transactional frameworks changing, and how does access to financing influence these shifts? 
  • Chair

    jj

    Justin Jameson
    Partner
    Altman Solon

  • Speaker

    jj

    Justin Jameson
    Partner
    Altman Solon

  • ,
  • Speaker

    sg

    Sachin Gupta
    MD, Strategic Portfolio
    Singtel

  • ,
  • Speaker

    pb

    Projesh Banerjea
    Director, Infrastructure
    KKR

  • ,
  • Speaker

    Thomas Hundt

    Thomas Hundt
    Group CSTO
    Axiata

  • ,
  • Speaker

    ka

    Kunal Agarwal
    Managing Director
    I Squared Capital

10:25 - 11:05

TMT M&A Panel: Navigating the M&A Horizon – Trends, Opportunities and Strategies for 2024

 

Moderated by Niranjan Arasaratnam, Partner, Linklaters

 

Speakers

Udhay Mathialagan, Managing Director, Brookfield Asset Management

Wilson Chung, Managing Director, DigitalBridge

Tharma Kunaratnam, Managing Director, Stonepeak

Varun Matta, Managing Director, Head of TMT ASEAN, Citi 

Despite continued difficulties relating to access to financing, shifts in valuations and interest rates, digital infrastructure in APAC remains robust. Dealmaking leaders discuss their outlook for the rest of the year and what strategies they are applying to navigate through the challenges.

 

  • What is the M&A and financing outlook for H2? Which deals, subsectors and regions are emerging as the most promising? 
  • Which major trends are on the horizon that will influence deal flow? 
  • How is access to financing and shifts in valuations influencing the M&A landscape?  
  • How are infrastructure and PE funds strategising the structure of digital infrastructure platforms in APAC and which pathways lead to successful exits?  
  • Chair

    na

    Niranjan Arasaratnam
    Partner
    Linklaters

  • Speaker

    na

    Niranjan Arasaratnam
    Partner
    Linklaters

  • ,
  • Speaker

    Udhay Mathialagan

    Udhay Mathialagan
    Managing Director, Infrastructure and CEO of Global Data Centres
    Brookfield Asset Management

  • ,
  • Speaker

    tk

    Tharma Kunaratnam
    Managing Director
    Stonepeak

  • ,
  • Speaker

    vm

    Varun Matta
    Managing Director, Head of TMT ASEAN
    Citi

  • ,
  • Speaker

    wc

    Wilson Chung
    Managing Director
    DigitalBridge

11:05 - 11:35

Networking Break

 
    11:35 - 12:15

    Fibre Leaders Panel: Determining the Future of Fibre Trends and Investment in APAC

     

    Moderated by Paul Carpenter, Partner, Hardiman Telecommunications

     

    Speakers

    Kanishka Wickrama, Acting CEO & CFO, PT Link Net TBK

    Benjamin Azada, CCO & CSO, Converge ICT

    Steve Weiss, CFO, Protelindo

    Fibre investment continues to play out as one of the hottest topics across digital infrastructure in APAC. The need for connectivity across markets has led to intensified rollout and monetisation strategies from operators. Leaders from the space discuss the rapidly evolving environment. 

     

    • What is the M&A outlook for fibre in APAC?  Where is the bulk of investment happening and who is leading the charge?
    • How have major broadband operators, especially in countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, intensified ‘fiberisation’ to keep up with the growing demands of high-speed and reliable broadband?
    • Examining different fibre monetisation strategies across the region and their outcomes
    • Are we likely to see an increase in fibre carveouts across APAC? 
    • Chair

      pk

      Paul Carpenter
      Partner
      Hardiman Telecommunications

    • Speaker

      sw

      Steve Weiss
      CFO
      Protelindo

    • ,
    • Speaker

      kw

      Kanishka Wickrama
      Acting CEO & Chief Financial Officer
      PT Link Net TBK

    • ,
    • Speaker

      az

      Benjamin Azada
      Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer
      Converge ICT

    • ,
    • Speaker

      pk

      Paul Carpenter
      Partner
      Hardiman Telecommunications

    12:15 - 12:30

    Keynote Speech: Unlocking the Power of TowerCos in APAC's Digitalization

     

    Speaker

    Sanjay Goel, Executive Vice President and President, Asia-Pacific, American Tower

    • Speaker

      Sanjay Goel, Executive Vice President and President, Asia-Pacific, ATC

      Sanjay Goel
      Executive Vice President and President, Asia-Pacific
      American Tower

    12:30 - 13:10

    TowerCo Leaders Panel: Approaches for Growth and Driving New Revenue Streams

     

    Speakers

    Suresh Sidhu, CEO and Founder, EdgePoint

    Rahul Katiyar, CEO, Asia Pacific (Ex-India) and Head Strategy, Asia-Pacific, American Tower

    Patrick Tangney, Chairman & CEO, Pinnacle Towers Pte Ltd

    Hendra Purnama, CIO, Mitratel

    Tower operators continue to seek new paths to growth as they expand into new markets and look at new business strategies. Leaders from across the sector look at operational approaches, ESG initiatives, 5g penetration, telecom asset spin offs and the pipeline for M&A and investment. 

     

    • Access to financing 
    • 5G penetration outlook in APAC
    • How are telco asset spin offs impacting the tower market?
    • How have priorities changed for APAC TowerCos?
    • Is there a shift towards capex saving? 
    • Speaker

      ss

      Suresh Sidhu
      CEO and Founder
      EdgePoint

    • ,
    • Speaker

      pat

      Patrick Tangney
      Chairman & CEO
      Pinnacle Towers Pte Ltd

    • ,
    • Speaker

      Rahul Katiyar

      Rahul Katiyar
      CEO, Asia Pacific (Ex-India) and Head Strategy, Asia-Pacific
      American Tower

    13:10 - 14:10

    Networking Lunch

     
      Option 1

      Financing TMT: How to Access Capital

       

      Speakers

      Speaker TBC - JLL

      Tugay Yilmaz, Senior Investment Officer, Telecom, Digital Infrastructure & Natural Resources (Asia Pacific), IFC

      Pithambar (Preet) Gona, Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific, STACK Infrastructure

      • Identifying the most attractive digital infrastructure verticals in APAC and evaluating the key players driving investment in the region.
      • Exploring changing deal structures in APAC and examining optimal routes to new financing opportunities.
      • Analysing the evolving pricing and conditions in crucial subsectors, including acquisitions, LBOs, capex, and greenfield financing.
      • Assessing the impact of rising interest rates on the market, considering whether increased costs are being passed on to customers and strategies for navigating this
      • Speaker

        ty

        Tugay Yilmaz
        Senior Investment Officer, Telecom, Digital Infrastructure & Natural Resources (Asia Pacific)
        IFC

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Pithambar (Preet) Gona
        Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific
        STACK Infrastructure

      Option 2

      Striking the Balance between Sustainability and Investment Opportunities in the APAC Datacentre Market

       

      Speakers

      Speaker TBC - Princeton Digital Group 

      Eugene Seo, Managing Director, Data Centres, CapitaLand Investment

      Paul Dwyer, Head of Data Centres, Logos Property

      Tanya Ahuja, Senior Director of Corporate Development, APAC, Equinix

      Gregory Mittman, Co-Founder, MyRepublic

      • Analysing ESG initiatives such as side-by-side builds, cooling techniques and the utilisation of renewable power
      • How can operators ensure that the next wave of growth incorporates sustainability initiatives?
      • Examining how green initiatives are impacting financing, investment and M&A in datacentres
      • Investigating how green financing is developing in APAC and who is leading the charge
      • Speaker

        Paul Dwyer

        Paul Dwyer
        Head of Data Centres
        Logos Property

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ta

        Tanya Ahuja
        Senior Director of Corporate Development, APAC
        Equinix

      • ,
      • Speaker

        gm

        Gregory Mittman
        Co-Founder
        MyRepublic

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ap

        Eugene Seo
        Managing Director, Data Centres
        CapitaLand Investment

      Option 3

      Telecom Growth Strategies: Avenues for Expansion and Capital Allocation

       

      Speakers

      Carson Wolfer, CSO, EdgePoint

      Chris Tiffin, Board Director, Cellcard 

      Danny Han Seng Foong, VP and Head of Asia Strategy, Telenor Asia

      Andy Tai, Head of SE Asia IB, Goldman Sachs

      Marco Somalvico, Vice President M&A, e& (Etisalat Group)

      • Where do regional opportunities lie for M&A in the telecom sector in Asia?
      • How are APAC telcos leveraging data in their transition to ‘techcos’? Which operators are leading the charge? 
      • Which factors are fuelling growth for telcos in APAC and how can these be leveraged?
      • Who is spearheading the upcoming wave of investment across telecom M&A?  
      • Speaker

        dh

        Danny Han Seng Foong
        VP and Head of Asia Strategy
        Telenor Asia

      • ,
      • Speaker

        cw

        Carson Wolfer
        CSO
        EdgePoint

      • ,
      • Speaker

        at

        Andy Tai
        Head of SE Asia IB
        Goldman Sachs

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ct

        Chris Tiffin
        Board Director
        Cellcard

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ap

        Marco Somalvico
        Vice President M&A
        e& (Etisalat Group)

      Option 4

      Deep Dive - Forecasting Indonesia’s Digital Infrastructure Landscape to 2030

       

      Speakers

      Thomas Anthony, CTO, NeutraDC

      Herson Suindah, President Director and CEO, SM+ Holdings

      Michael McPhail, CTO, Moratelindo

      Hendra Purnama, CIO, Mitratel

      • What are the future trends of Indonesia's data centers? Analysis of emerging technology
      • Examining the outlook of the fibre market in Indonesia and whether a wholesaler will emerge by 2030
      • Who is leading the bulk of investment into Indonesian fibre?
      • Analysing different business models in the country and breaking down strategies of those leading development and growth
      • Which other digital infrastructure vertical are showing promising growth in Indonesia? 
      • Speaker

        hs

        Herson Suindah
        President Director and CEO
        SM+ Holdings

      • ,
      • Speaker

        mm

        Michael McPhail
        CTO
        Moratelindo

      • ,
      • Speaker

        TA

        Thomas Anthony
        CTO
        NeutraDC

      Option 5

      Next-Gen Connectivity: Exploring Opportunities across Towers, Small Cells, Fibre, 5G, Satellite and Subsea Cables

       

      Moderated by Andrew Wright, Partner, Aetha Consulting

       

      Speakers

      Ram Sellaratnam, CEO & MD, iBus Networks

      Kunal Bajaj, CEO and Co-Founder, CloudExtel

      Hussein Abdulkader, Managing Director, Kacific Broadband Satellites Group

      Ryan Jarvis, CEO & Founder, Sentient 

      Arif Al Islam, CEO & MD, Summit Communications

      • Determining the next phase of growth across network solutions: towers, small cell and DAS
      • Which M&A transactions have taken place in connectivity infrastructure, what’s in the pipeline, and how supportive are capital markets for deals?
      • Strategies for building an end to end infrastructure in a MNO dominated market
      • To what extent can satellite operators provide extended connectivity offerings to customers, especially in remote regions across APAC?  
      • How can operators finance the cost of wide 5G rollouts? What lessons are there for the next investment cycle?
      • Chair

        aw

        Andrew Wright
        Partner
        Aetha Consulting

      • Speaker

        Ram Sellaratnam
        CEO & MD
        iBus Networks

      • ,
      • Speaker

        kb

        Kunal Bajaj
        CEO and Co-Founder
        CloudExtel

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Ryan Jarvis

        Ryan Jarvis
        CEO & Founder
        Sentient

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ai

        Arif Al Islam
        CEO & MD
        Summit Communications

      • ,
      • Speaker

        aw

        Andrew Wright
        Partner
        Aetha Consulting

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ha

        Hussein Abdulkader
        Managing Director
        Kacific Broadband Satellites Group

      Option 1

      TowerCo Developments: Exploring M&A, Infrastructure Challenges, Operator Strategies and 5G Outlook

       

      Speakers

      Devid Gubiani, President PhilTower GNI and CEO Global Network Inc

      Rahul Katiyar, CEO, Asia Pacific (Ex-India) and Head Strategy, Asia-Pacific, American Tower

      Steve Weiss, CFO, Protelindo

      • What is the outlook for towerco M&A and financing across APAC? 
      • Analysing tower bottlenecks and strategies to navigate
      • How are emerging trends, such as telecom operator tower carve-outs and the development of the neutral host concept, altering dynamics in APAC? 
      • Exploring 5g profitability and use cases: What is the outlook for 5g rollout and which countries are leading development? 
      • Speaker

        dg

        Devid Gubiani
        CEO Global Network Inc and President
        PhilTower GNI

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Rahul Katiyar

        Rahul Katiyar
        CEO, Asia Pacific (Ex-India) and Head Strategy, Asia-Pacific
        American Tower

      • ,
      • Speaker

        sw

        Steve Weiss
        CFO
        Protelindo

      Option 2

      Unlocking Potential: The Growing Role of AI in Shaping Datacentre Opportunities and Investment

       

      Moderated by Noel Perera, Director, Altman Solon


      Speakers

      Mayank Srivastava, CEO, BDx

      Samuel Lee, CEO, Digital Edge

      Sam Lee, MD, Market & Commercial Development, APAC, EdgeConneX

      Sridhar Pinnapureddy, Founder & CEO, CtrlS

      Swati Goyal, CIO, DCI Data Centres

      • What opportunities will AI create in the APAC datacentre market?
      • Which countries are the most attractive for hyperscalers in APAC and how can operators capitalise?
      • How will generative AI revolutionise data demands and what are realistic predictions for the subsequent growth in investment?
      • How will the development of language models and proprietary data for end users revolutionise datacentre business models?
      • Chair

        Noel Perera

        Noel Perera
        Director
        Altman Solon

      • Speaker

        Noel Perera

        Noel Perera
        Director
        Altman Solon

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Samuel Lee

        Samuel Lee
        CEO
        Digital Edge

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Sridhar Pinnapureddy
        Founder & CEO
        CtrlS

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Swati Goyal
        Chief Investment Officer
        DCI Data Centres

      Option 3

      Rolling Out the Future: What are the Most Effective Routes for Fibre Rollout across APAC?

       

      Moderated by Paul Carpenter, Partner, Hardiman Telecommunications 

       

      Speakers

      Amajit Gupta, Group CEO & MD, Lightstorm

      Michael McPhail, CTO, Moratelindo

      James G. Velasquez, President and CEO, PT&T

      Vignesa Moorthy, Founder & CEO, Viewqwest

      Ankit Goel, Chairman and Founder, Space World Group

      • Examining innovative approaches driving the rapid deployment of fibre networks across the APAC region
      • Who is leading the charge for greenfield fibre rollout across APAC?
      • What levels and sources of funding are being deployed and how is the cost of capital affecting rollout prospects?
      • What is driving the growth of fibre carveouts in APAC? Exploring balance sheet and ROIC optimisation, reducing capex requirements, the generation of additional revenues and creating vehicles for consolidation plays
      • Chair

        pk

        Paul Carpenter
        Partner
        Hardiman Telecommunications

      • Speaker

        Amajit Gupta

        Amajit Gupta
        Group CEO and MD
        Lightstorm

      • ,
      • Speaker

        mm

        Michael McPhail
        CTO
        Moratelindo

      • ,
      • Speaker

        jgv

        James Velasquez
        President and CEO
        PT&T

      • ,
      • Speaker

        vignesa

        Vignesa Moorthy
        Founder & CEO
        Viewqwest

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ak

        Ankit Goel
        Chairman and Founder
        Space World Group

      • ,
      • Speaker

        pk

        Paul Carpenter
        Partner
        Hardiman Telecommunications

      Option 4

      Cross-Border Dynamics in Digital Infra M&A: Regional and International Investment Trends and Operational Realities

       

      Moderated by Alaister Johnson, Senior Counsel, Technology and Data, Linklaters

       

      Speakers

      Emmanuel Léonard, CIO, TAWAL

      Axel Granger, Managing Director, Co-Head of TMT, UBS

      Jonathan Loke, Executive Director, Investment Banking, Morgan Stanley

      Andrew Verdasca, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan

      • Unveiling the opportunities for outbound M&A and investment by Asian companies into other regions and identifying those that are leading this cross-border charge
      • Examining the next wave of international investment into Asia and dissecting the deal structures that are gaining traction
      • What bottlenecks emerge during a cross-border M&A process and how can these be navigated?
      • Analysing the political, regulatory and operational challenges for cross-border dealmaking and strategies for navigation
      • Chair

        aj

        Alaister Johnson
        Counsel
        Linklaters

      • Speaker

        Emmanuel Leonard

        Emmanuel Léonard
        Chief International Officer
        TAWAL

      • ,
      • Speaker

        Axel Granger

        Axel Granger
        Managing Director, Co-Head of TMT
        UBS

      • ,
      • Speaker

        aj

        Alaister Johnson
        Counsel
        Linklaters

      • ,
      • Speaker

        JL

        Jonathan Loke
        Executive Director, Investment Banking
        Morgan Stanley

      • ,
      • Speaker

        AV

        Andrew Verdasca
        Managing Director
        J.P. Morgan

      Option 5

      Understanding the Regulatory Outlook on Digital Infrastructure for APAC

       

      Moderated by Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher

       

      Speakers

      Manish Kasliwal, Director, Indonesia, American Tower

      Amit Kaushal, Senior Principal Commercial and FP&A, Digital Nasional Berhad

      • How is the lack of land and power impacting digital infrastructure development in APAC? 
      • Examining how competition dynamics have changed in the region and how regulators see these developments
      • Are sustainability initiatives playing an increasingly important role in the development of digital infrastructure in APAC? 
      • How are subsea operators business strategies changing due to geopolitical risk in the region? 
      • Speaker

        mk

        Manish Kasliwal
        Director, Indonesia
        American Tower

      • ,
      • Speaker

        ak

        Amit Kaushal
        Senior Principal Commercial and FP&A
        Digital Nasional Berhad

      15:50 - 16:20

      Networking Break

       
        16:20 - 17:00

        Datacentre Leaders Panel: Exploring Datacentre Investment Trends, M&A Dynamics, Generative AI and ESG Innovation

         

        Moderated by Ben Happel, Partner, Altman Solon

         

        Speakers

        Speaker TBC - Princeton Digital Group 

        Serene Nah, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, Digital Realty

        Prashant Murthy, CFO, AirTrunk

        Investment continues to pour into Asia’s datacentre market to capture the opportunities to build and scale hyperscale and colocation assets. This wave seems to increase as excitement grows around the potential that generative AI could have on datacentres, whilst expanding ESG initiatives are also a key focus for operators and investors. Key players in the sector discuss the outlook going forward.

         

        • Which countries are datacentre M&A deal activities taking place and why? What deal structures are we seeing? What capital is available for funding the growth of DC platforms? 
        • Examining generative AI’s impact on the datacentre industry’s investment growth
        • How are hyperscalers and enterprise partnerships driving build demand across APAC? 
        • What innovative ESG initiatives are being introduced in APAC datacentres and how will they impact investment? 
        • Chair

          bh

          Ben Happel
          Partner
          Altman Solon

        • Speaker

          bh

          Ben Happel
          Partner
          Altman Solon

        • ,
        • Speaker

          sn

          Serene Nah
          Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific
          Digital Realty

        • ,
        • Speaker

          Prashant Murthy

          Prashant Murthy
          CFO
          AirTrunk

        17:00 - 17:15

        Visionary Fireside Chat

         

        Speaker

        Stephen Miller, President & Group CEO, ST Telemedia (STT)

        • Speaker

          SM

          Stephen Miller
          President & Group CEO
          ST Telemedia (STT)

        17:15 - 17:55

        Financing Leaders Panel: Accessing Capital in Digital Infrastructure

         

        Speakers

        Sam Lawn, Deputy CFO, GDS Holdings

        Kok-Chye Ong, Managing Director – Data Centers, Gaw Capital 

        Kevork Sahagian, Managing Director, OMERS Infrastructure

        Nirad Deshpande, Associate Director, Macquarie Asset Management

        Rising interest rates, shifting valuations and high multiples have led to a disruptive financing environment across digital infrastructure in APAC. Leaders from across the region discuss these challenges and solutions they’ve implemented as they set their sights on growth. 

         

        • How damaging has the current macroeconomic environment been to digital infrastructure M&A and dealmaking in APAC? How is access to financing and shifts in valuations influencing the M&A landscape? 
        • What strategies have been implemented to deal with the headwinds? 
        • How are deal structures changing in APAC? What are the best routes to new financing? 
        • What impact are current interest rates having on increased debt costs and the utilisation of project financings via local banks? 
        • Speaker

          Kok-Chye Ong

          Kok-Chye Ong
          Managing Director – Data Centers
          Gaw Capital

        • ,
        • Speaker

          Kevork Sahagian
          Managing Director
          OMERS Infrastructure

        • ,
        • Speaker

          Nirad Deshpande
          Associate Director
          Macquarie Asset Management

        • ,
        • Speaker

          ap

          Sam Lawn
          Deputy CFO
          GDS Holdings

        17:55 - 18:00

        Conference Close

         
          18:00 - 20:00

          Networking Drinks