v3.26.1
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [abstract]  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table summarizes the movement in the net book value of intangible assets for the years ended December 31:
Net book valueTelecommuni-cation licenses, frequencies & permissionsSoftwareBrands and trademarksCustomer relationshipsOther intangible assetsGoodwillTotal
As of January 1, 20241,026 193 4 42 5 349 1,619 
Additions35 52 — 2 81 — 170 
Disposals— (4)— — (1)— (5)
Amortization charge for the year(125)(63)(2)(6)(3)— (199)
Divestment and reclassification as held for sale(4)(8)— — — — (12)
Transfer and reclassification— 58 — — (60)6 4 
Translation adjustment(29)(18)(1)(2)— (17)(67)
As of December 31, 2024903 210 1 36 22 338 1,510 
Acquisitions— 8 18 32 — 116 174 
Additions1 125 — — 23 — 149 
Disposals— (1)— — — — (1)
Amortization charge for the year(132)(79)(2)(6)(5)— (224)
Divestment and reclassification as held for sale *— — — — — (58)(58)
Transfer and reclassification(2)22 1 — (17)— 4 
Translation adjustment(9)1 — (1)1 3 (5)
As of December 31, 2025761 286 18 61 24 399 1,549 
Cost1,851 783 174 279 41 1,122 4,250 
Accumulated amortization and impairment(1,090)(497)(156)(218)(17)(723)(2,701)
* This relates to the sale of Deodar as explained in Note 11—Significant transactions.
During 2025 and 2024, there were no material changes in estimates related to intangible assets.
Intangible assets include assets in use in the amount of nil (2024: US$17), which were not yet paid for as of year-end.
GOODWILL
During the year, the movement in goodwill for the Group, per CGU, consisted of the following:
CGU*December 31,
2025		Translation and other adjustmentAcquisitions ***Divestments ***December 31,
2024
Pakistan123 (2)— (58)183 
Kazakhstan117 5 — — 112 
Ukraine19 (2)7 — 14 
Uzbekistan31 2 — — 29 
Uklon **109 — 109 — — 
Total399 3 116 (58)338 
* There is no goodwill allocated to the Bangladesh CGU.
** Uklon, acquired in Q2 2025 has been identified as a separate CGU within the Ukraine operating segment.
*** For acquisitions and divestments, refer to Note 11—Significant transactions for further details.
CGU*December 31,
2024		Translation adjustmentTransfer and reclassificationDecember 31,
2023
Pakistan183 4 — 179 
Kazakhstan112 (17)— 129 
Ukraine14 (2)6 10 
Uzbekistan29 (2)— 31 
Total338 (17)6 349 
* There is no goodwill allocated to the Bangladesh or Kyrgyzstan CGUs.
COMMITMENTS
Capital commitments for the future purchase of intangible assets are as follows as of December 31:
20252024
Less than 1 year1915 
Between 1 and 5 years7— 
Total commitments
2615 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Intangible assets acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses.
Intangible assets with a finite useful life are generally amortized with the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the intangible asset. The amortization period and the amortization method for intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed at least annually and fall within the following ranges:
Class of intangible assetUseful life
Telecommunications licenses, frequencies and permissions
3—20 years
Software
3—10 years
Brands and trademarks
3—15 years
Customer relationships
10—21 years
Other intangible assets
4—10 years
Goodwill is recognized for the future economic benefits arising from net assets acquired that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment annually and as necessary when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. See Note 13—Impairment of assets of these consolidated financial statements for further details.
SOURCE OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY
Refer also to Note 14—Property and equipment of these consolidated financial statements for further details regarding source of estimation uncertainty.
Depreciation and amortization of non-current assets
Estimates in the evaluation of useful lives for intangible assets include, but are not limited to, the estimated average customer relationship based on churn, the remaining license or concession period and the expected developments in technology and markets.
The actual economic lives of intangible assets may be different than estimated useful lives, thereby resulting in a different carrying value of intangible assets with finite lives. We continue to evaluate the amortization period for intangible assets with finite lives to determine whether events or circumstances warrant revised amortization periods. A change in estimated useful lives is a change in accounting estimate, and depreciation and amortization charges are adjusted prospectively.