Beyond ONE is a proud Platinum Sponsor of the 17th Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit. In line with this collaboration, Telecom Review held an exclusive interview with Group CEO, Markus Tagger, to discuss, in detail, the company’s drive behind being a digital services provider, among other topics.
In a span of two years, Beyond ONE has made remarkable acquisitions in high-growth markets. How did this impact the company’s growth?
Acquisitions have been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our strategy for growth. Our first major investment was Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa, followed soon after by the acquisition of Virgin Mobile Latin America. Both have been good starting points for us to begin scaling our operation with an established customer user base in two of the regions we’ve identified as high-potential markets for our broader plan.
At Beyond ONE, our vision is to transform and simplify personalized digital ecosystems to enhance consumers' lives. This vision guides our acquisition strategy, leading us to actively invest in companies specializing in the verticals we aim to expand into.
Can you talk about the drive behind being a digital services provider? How does Beyond ONE’s collective dedication to transformation, innovation and sustainability make a difference?
Our mission at Beyond ONE is to connect people through one simple, inclusive, digital platform that broadens their world and enriches the way they live, learn, work and play.
We believe that by simplifying and unifying what are usually fragmented digital services, we can enhance the lives of our customers, and at the same time increase their accessibility to services, opportunities, and new communities they might otherwise not have had.
Innovation is a driving force at Beyond ONE. Innovation not only defines our business’ vision but is also ingrained in the DNA of our teams. With our international operations, we attract top talent, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing that propels us forward. As we continue to expand across markets and verticals, we see boundless opportunities, not just for growth, but for creating a workplace that thrives on dynamic opportunities, making us an exceptional and fulfilling place to work.
Our commitment to tangible positive impact for people extends to the planet, with sustainability engrained in every part of our business. With our annual carbon emissions audit, we continue to implement measures to reduce this across all our operations. As a result of the carbon footprint analysis of Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa, we have made our first acquisition of 262 hectares in Ecuador’s Cloud Rainforest – an active investment that ensures direct protection of an existing threatened tropical forest in the most biodiverse regions of the planet. Furthermore, we have increased our commitment to this project through the acquisition of an additional 192 hectares in the same rainforest. This is due to the carbon footprint analysis conducted by Virgin Mobile Latin America – and we will continue.
Our approach is not only about business, and certainly not only about telecommunications; it is about creating a more inclusive, colourful, sustainable, and connected world for everyone.
Why is having a strong telco foundation key to building Beyond ONE’s digital services aggregator?
The telco foundation provides a solid infrastructure for us to deliver digital services effectively, especially in markets where mobile access is the primary means of internet connectivity. Our telco foundation allows us to leverage existing mobile networks, reach a vast user base, and offer a seamless transition to our hyper-customized digital experiences.
But our journey is not just about being another telco. This is merely the foundation that enables us to deliver our mission of disrupting, reshaping, and streamlining digital ecosystems for consumers; making services more accessible and putting them in the driving seat of their choices.
We're not just following the telecom service model; we're fundamentally changing it. We want to empower consumers to take control of their digital choices. Through our plan of offering communications, banking, entertainment, healthcare, education, and more in one digital space, we're making life easier and more accessible.
As a seasoned veteran in the industry, what is your outlook in the TMT space within MEA and other emerging markets? How will Beyond ONE continue to strategically expand its footprint?
Our outlook is extremely positive – It’s an industry ripe for disruption, and the regions we’re focused on have enormous potential for growth and transformation. There are unmet needs of millions who remain unconnected to the internet, and mobile services play a crucial role in bridging this gap; opening access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and banking.
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is making considerable strides in developing its digital economy. We’ve seen in the GCC alone that there is an increased entry of more private mobile service providers, accelerating the use of ICT services and increasing users.
Latin America, on the other hand, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world in terms of digital transformation. This is being driven by the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions, rising demand for automation and artificial intelligence, and the growth of e-commerce and digital marketing.
Beyond ONE is well positioned to expand on this by connecting people, cultures, and services in fundamentally new and different ways. Our strategic growth plans involve continued acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations that enable us to extend our footprint and provide transformative digital experiences to a wider audience.
In one sentence, please describe what Beyond ONE has to offer for its customers in 2024.
Our customers can look forward to moving beyond their current digital experiences, gaining access to exciting new services that simplify and enrich their lives, and becoming part of a growing community of Beyonders.
