Singapore's Keppel is selling its 83.9% stake in subsidiary M1 Ltd to Simba Telecom while retaining the non-telecoms operations of its unit in a deal that will give the asset manager net cash of S$1 billion ($778.

Singapore’s Keppel Ltd. is looking to divest its interest in one of the country’s major telecommunication providers for an estimated S$222 million ($173 million) accounting loss, as it seeks to ramp up a drive to offload legacy assets.

Keppel will receive close to S$1.0 billion in cash proceeds for its 83.9% effective stake in M1, while retaining M1’s fast-growing ICT business which complements Keppel’s integrated connectivity business, including data centres and subsea cables. The transaction represents an attractive implied valuation of 7.3x EV/EBITDA.

Keppel said it has agreed to sell its 83.9% stake in Singapore-based mobile carrier M1 to Simba Telecom for almost S$1 billion ($779 million). It will retain M1's digital infrastructure business.

Singapore's Keppel said on Monday it would receive net cash of S$1 billion ($778.15 million) for its 83.9% stake in subsidiary M1 Ltd, as the asset manager sells the unit's telecom business to domestic operator Simba Telecom.