Discussions continue for national broadband network OpCo bid - Singapore
By Rachel Kelly, Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: With three months to the deadline for submission of proposals to operate Singapore’s next generation broadband network, some of the firms potentially in the running may be in talks on possible tie-ups and common bids.
Under the government’s plan, the operating company - or OpCo - has to be separate from the firm that builds the network - or NetCo.
The race for the NetCo licence is down to just two consortiums - Infinity and OpenNet. But it is still unclear how many proposals will eventually come in for the OpCo contract.
The big three telco players – SingTel, StarHub and M1 - are among the 11 firms shortlisted to submit proposals.
Communications solutions provider Alcatel-Lucent is still weighing its options. Its managing director, Oliver Foo, said: “We’re talking to a bunch of people, I think what’s clear is that we will not lead a consortium.”
“What’s Alcatel-Lucent’s model? We provide service solutions to help our customers provide services. I don’t want to be in a situation where we compete with them. We want to help them - partner with them - provide the right type of services to put them in play in this project.”
“If you look at the consortiums (that) submitted bids into the NetCo portion, every single player in there is a major player in its own right. This project is of such a huge size and complexity that you need the different players to come together,” he added.
Other big global names that could take part in the bidding include Japan’s NTT, Nokia, Deutsche Telekom and BT. And some of these could form consortiums to make joint bids.
The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) said it has already issued specifications and evaluation criteria for the OpCo, so the consortium leaders will have to decide how they want to submit their bids to best meet the requirements.
Khoo Chen Hsung, vice president of CIMB-GK Research, said: “The NGNBN (next generation national broadband network) will definitely change the landscape of the telco (market) here in Singapore.
“So the way I see it is what… SingTel (will potentially) do to hedge (itself) against uncertainty is - let’s just go and get as many customers and then we may have some to lose further down the road.”
The request for proposals for the OpCo is expected to close at the end of August. The successful bidder will be announced in the first quarter of next year. - CNA/ac
Source : Channel NewsAsia - 17 May 2008
Singapore Property - Buy , Sell , Rent , Invest
Mindy Yong
(+65)91002985
mindy@mindyyong.com
Anwar hits back with allegations against Najib - Malaysia »« Singapore Prestige Brand Award honours successful household brands
