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Singtel Tops Maybank to Become Asia’s Leading Sovereign AI GPU Infrastructure Provider

Singapore, September 4, 2025 — Singapore’s Singtel is firmly positioning itself as a cornerstone for sovereign AI infrastructure across Southeast Asia, backed by strong operational tailwinds and expansive growth in digital infrastructure.

Maybank Investment Banking analysts have reaffirmed a “Buy” rating on Singtel, boosting its sum-of-the-parts target price by 11% to SGD 4.75. They cite three primary growth catalysts:

  1. Optus Recovery in Australia – Improvements in pricing discipline, operational cost optimization, and strategic network sharing have narrowed Optus’s margin gap and fuelled projected compound annual free cash flow growth exceeding 100% through FY2028.
  2. Mobile Market Consolidation in Singapore – With rationalization on the horizon, Singtel stands to benefit as the dominant operator in what has been a fiercely competitive market.
  3. Digital Infrastructure via Nxera – Singtel’s digital infra arm, Nxera, is building out a regional AI-ready data center network, featuring high-density GPU racks, sovereign data-compliance architecture, and an evolving GPU-as-a-service (GPUaaS) model.

Nxera’s pipeline includes the 58MW Tuas data center—set to come online in early 2026—already pre-sold over 50%, a high-speed facility in Thailand at 80% pre-sold, and upcoming sites in Johor and Batam, summing to over 400MW of capacity. The infrastructure allows liquid-cooled, rack densities above 200kW, tailored for AI workloads. Singtel forecasts data center revenues to grow at a CAGR exceeding 20% through FY2028, with EBITDA expected to nearly double. GPUaaS pilot offerings have already been fully booked, with long-term contracts from sectors like pharmaceuticals and AI research underway. Maybank describes Singtel as “Asia’s first-mover in sovereign AI GPU infrastructure at scale.”

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  • Bernard is a social activist dedicated to championing community empowerment, equality, and social justice. With a strong voice on issues affecting grassroots communities, he brings insightful perspectives shaped by on-the-ground advocacy and public engagement. As a columnist for The Ledger Asia, Bernard writes thought-provoking pieces that challenge norms, highlight untold stories, and inspire conversations aimed at building a more inclusive and equitable society.

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