What Sri Lanka Telecom does

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), operating commercially as SLT-MOBITEL, is the state-owned national telecommunications provider of Sri Lanka, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Colombo with 5,001-10,000 employees. The company delivers integrated mobile (including 5G), fixed-line fibre broadband (up to 1000 Mbps download / 500 Mbps upload), satellite enterprise connectivity (via a Starlink distribution partnership), and television entertainment through the PEO TV platform. Beyond connectivity, SLT-MOBITEL has built adjacent digital services including the mCash mobile money platform (12 years of operation since 2013, serving millions of customers across thousands of agent touchpoints), the Lifestore e-commerce storefront, and the SLTMobitel Connect digital lifestyle platform, alongside government-specific plans (UPAHARA) and enterprise managed services for SMEs and large accounts.

The underlying technology stack combines a nationwide 5G mobile network, fibre-to-the-premises infrastructure, submarine cable connectivity through the SEA-ME-WE 6 consortium, and distributed satellite capacity for enterprise customers, all monetised through subscription-based postpaid plans, prepaid mobile packages, managed services contracts, and transaction-based mobile money fees. The go-to-market motion is multi-channel: branded retail stores and service centres, an enterprise direct-sales force, website self-serve, exclusive device launch events (such as the October 2025 iPhone 17 Series rollout), and the mCash agent network, serving consumer/residential, business/enterprise, and government employee segments across the country.

Ownership rests with the Government of Sri Lanka, and in April 2026 the government formally decided not to proceed with the previously proposed divestiture of SLT (and other state enterprises) following a Supreme Court ruling, despite IMF reform pressure. This entrenches SLT's position as the protected incumbent national carrier while limiting near-term M&A optionality for private-sector acquirers. The company operates exclusively within Sri Lanka with no disclosed international expansion beyond international roaming, submarine cable participation, and the cross-border distribution of Starlink enterprise services.

Name

Sri Lanka Telecom

Legal name

Sri Lanka Telecom

Website

https://sltmobitel.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT-MOBITEL) is the state-owned national telecommunications provider of Sri Lanka, delivering 5G mobile, fibre broadband, PEO TV entertainment, enterprise managed services, and the mCash mobile money platform to consumer, business, and government segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Mobile Services: Recurring revenue from mobile plans including prepaid, postpaid (Anytime Plans), data packages, and 5G services. Revenue generated through monthly subscriptions and usage-based billing.
2. Fixed Broadband Services: Fixed line internet services including fibre and broadband connections for residential and business customers. Revenue from installation fees and recurring monthly subscriptions.
3. mCash Digital Payments: Mobile money platform generating revenue through transaction fees on digital payments and financial services. Serves millions of customers with financial inclusion services.
4. Device Sales: Sale of mobile devices, routers, and hardware through Lifestore and retail channels. Includes branded devices and consumer electronics.
5. PEOTV Entertainment: Television entertainment packages and streaming services through PEOTV platform.
6. Enterprise Solutions: Dedicated business telecommunications services including cloud, connectivity, and managed services for enterprise and SME customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT-MOBITEL) is the national telecommunications provider of Sri Lanka, offering mobile network services (5G, 4G), fixed-line fibre broadband, digital television (PEOTV), enterprise connectivity solutions, and digital financial services through its mCash mobile money platform. It also distributes devices and consumer electronics through Lifestore and offers satellite enterprise connectivity as a Starlink distribution partner.

Product overview

SLT Mobitel is Sri Lanka's national telecommunications provider operating as a unified platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include mobile services (5G network, 4G Home), fixed broadband (Fibre with speeds up to 1000 Mbps), and satellite connectivity (Starlink Enterprise). Digital services span mCash mobile money platform, PEO TV entertainment, Lifestore e-commerce, and Nebula. The portfolio also includes device products (5G Mifi Router), specialized plans (UPAHARA for government employees, MOBITEL 1278 social media packages), connectivity add-ons (eSim, Roaming and IDD), and the SLTMobitel Connect digital lifestyle platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• mCash: Mobile money platform for digital payments, financial inclusion, and mobile financial services in Sri Lanka.
• PEOTV
• Lifestore
• Nebula

Products and services

• SLTMobitel 5G Mobile Service 5G mobile network service providing high-speed mobile connectivity and reliable nationwide coverage for individual consumers and business users across Sri Lanka.
• Fibre Broadband Fixed-line fibre optic broadband internet service with download speeds up to 1000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 500 Mbps, offered to residential and business customers as new connections or upgrades.
• mCash Mobile Money Platform Mobile money and digital payments platform providing financial inclusion, mobile financial services, and digital payment transactions to consumers and merchants across Sri Lanka through thousands of channel touchpoints.
• PEOTV Digital television and entertainment service offering TV channel packages and streaming content to residential subscribers bundled with fixed broadband and standalone plans.
• Starlink Enterprise Connectivity Satellite-based enterprise internet connectivity solution distributed by SLT-MOBITEL, leveraging Starlink technology to provide businesses with high-speed, resilient internet connectivity.
• SLTMobitel Connect Digital lifestyle platform offered by SLT-MOBITEL that connects family members to a unified digital ecosystem of services and experiences.
• 5G Mifi Router Portable 5G mobile router device enabling high-speed wireless internet access on the go via SLT-MOBITEL's 5G network, sold as a hardware product with associated data plans.
• Lifestore E-commerce platform from SLT-MOBITEL offering devices, consumer electronics, and lifestyle products for purchase online.
• UPAHARA Plan Specialized mobile and connectivity plan offered exclusively to government employees, clergy, and pensioners at favorable subscription terms.
• MOBITEL 1278 Combo mobile data packages providing non-stop access to popular social media services including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
• eSim Service Electronic SIM service enabling customers to activate and manage their mobile connection digitally without a physical SIM card.
• 4G Home Wireless home internet service providing residential subscribers with 4G-based broadband, data add-ons, and loyalty benefits.
• Roaming and IDD International roaming and international direct dial services enabling subscribers to make and receive calls and use data when traveling abroad at affordable rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Speeds up to 1000 Mbps download and 500 Mbps upload on 5G and fibre networks
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AppleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSLT-MOBITEL announced Apple's iPhone 17 Series launch in Sri Lanka, offering new devices on its 5G network at an exclusive launch event. The partnership includes product previews and promotional benefits for customers.
• SEA-ME-WE 6 ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationAs Sri Lanka's national telecom provider, SLT connects to international submarine cable systems including SEA-ME-WE 6, one of the world's fastest undersea cables, enhancing international bandwidth and digital services capability.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Globe Telecom: Globe Telecom is a major Philippine mobile and fixed-line operator with mobile money (GCash) and fibre broadband offerings. Comparable to SLT-MOBITEL as an emerging-market multi-service operator with mobile, fixed, and fintech integration.
• PLDT: PLDT is the Philippines' dominant fixed-line and broadband operator with mobile and enterprise services. Comparable to SLT as an emerging-market incumbent carrier transitioning from legacy fixed-line to fibre, 5G, and digital services.
• Telekom Malaysia: Telekom Malaysia is Malaysia's national fixed-line and mobile operator offering broadband, mobile, and enterprise services. Comparable to SLT as a state-influenced national carrier with a similar mix of fixed, mobile, and enterprise offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Bharti Airtel: Bharti Airtel is one of India's largest telecom operators offering mobile, broadband, and digital services across South Asia and Africa. Comparable to SLT as a scaled multi-service telecom operator in a South Asian emerging market, with similar 4G/5G and fixed-line offerings.
• Singtel: Singtel is Southeast Asia's largest telecom group operating mobile, fixed, enterprise, and digital services across multiple markets. Comparable to SLT as a regional incumbent with multi-service offerings and a national infrastructure mandate, although at a much larger scale.
• Axiata Group: Axiata Group is a Malaysian telecom conglomerate that owns Dialog Axiata, SLT-MOBITEL's principal competitor. As a regional telecom group with mobile, digital, and infrastructure operations across ASEAN and South Asia, it provides a useful strategic and capital-allocation benchmark.
• Vodafone Idea: Vodafone Idea is a major Indian mobile operator offering 4G/5G services. Comparable to SLT as a wireless carrier operating in a price-competitive, regulatorily-constrained South Asian market with a similarly diversified service portfolio.
• Reliance Jio: Reliance Jio is India's largest mobile operator and a major 4G/5G disruptor. While not a direct competitor to SLT geographically, it is a benchmark for 5G-led, low-priced data monetisation in South Asia and pressures Sri Lankan operator pricing through regional benchmarks.

Direct peers

• Dialog Axiata: Dialog Axiata is Sri Lanka's largest mobile network operator and SLT-MOBITEL's principal domestic competitor. It offers mobile, fixed, digital, and fintech services, competing head-to-head with SLT-MOBITEL on 4G/5G, broadband, and mobile money.
• Hutch Sri Lanka: Hutch is the third mobile operator in Sri Lanka and a direct MNO competitor to SLT-MOBITEL. It focuses on value-priced mobile services, increasing pricing pressure on SLT-MOBITEL's prepaid and postpaid segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/srilankatelecom
• Facebookfacebook.com/SLTMobitel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sri-lanka-telecom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sri Lanka Telecom