State-owned communications giant Telekom Malaysia's desire to acquire a stake in mobile phone operator Technology Resources Industries (TRI) is a wise corporate strategy but will hurt consumers, analysts believe.

Analysts said Telekom's interest in the country's second-largest mobile operator would help it move from its fixed line core business to the growing mobile phone industry.

"Why not? Acquiring a stake will provide Telekom a footing in the expanding cellular industry," Sani Hamid, a consultant with Singapore-based Wan Research and Consulting, told AFP .

"In the near future, cellular phones will outbeat fixed lines. For future growth, there is business potential in the mobile cellular phones."

Telekom's interest in TRI comes as the company's major share holder, tycoon Tajudin Ramli, continues to strugle to repay RM130.4 million in bad debts to the state asset manager.