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Tag: Singtel

  • Singtel, Razer to create SEA’s largest e-payments network

    Singtel, Razer to create SEA’s largest e-payments network

    Singtel Group and gaming hardware manufacturer Razer have entered an agreement to collaborate in the areas of e-payments, eSports and gaming related digital media and telecoms services in the Southeast Asian region.

    The two companies will seek to capitalize on the growth of the mobile payments market in Southeast Asia, which is predicted to be worth around $32 billion by 2021.

    As part of the partnership, the companies aim to create the largest e-payments network in Southeast Asia by enabling the interoperability of their respective e-payments systems to create an integrated regional network.

    Singtel Group has already announced plans to interconnect the mobile wallets of Singtel and its network of regional mobile associates into an interoperable platform linking over 50 million wallet users.

    Razer meanwhile recently announced plans to acquire MOL Global, the operator of one of the largest e-payment networks in the region, for $61 million. MOL Global handled over $1.1 billion of digital payments in 2017.

    The two companies also plan to leverage Singtel’s regional footprint to develop the Southeast Asian eSports ecosystem and community. The companies will hold joint activities including regional invitational events and seek to cultivate eSports talent.

    Finally, the two companies will explore the development of gaming-related telecommunications and digital media products and services such as broadband plans, mobile services and eSports content for customers in the region.

    As a Group devoted to connectivity, we are making a big push to create an ecosystem of digital services for our customers. Digital services from mobile payments to entertainment have become a big part of their lives, especially the millennials,” Singtel International CEO Arthur Lang said.

    “Our collaboration with Razer, which shares our vision on e-payments and eSports, will help advance our goal to empower customers to spend seamlessly across borders and experience the thrill of eSports. We look forward to working with gaming partners and supporting community initiatives to grow eSports in the region.”

  • Singtel, VMware to accelerate DX in APAC

    Singtel, VMware to accelerate DX in APAC

    Singtel has entered a partnership with VMware International to set up a Digital Transformation Foundry in Singapore.

    The new facility will be designed as a virtual sandbox for customers to conduct proof-of-concept experiments aimed at bringing digital solutions to market more quickly.

    Enterprises will be able to test their solutions in a hybrid cloud environment before deploying them across the organization.

    The companies will initially focus on providing a suite of four cloud services aimed at allowing customers to modernize their data centers, integrate public and private clouds, improve information security and develop cutting edge digital workspaces.

    These include a private cloud service that aims to provide similar agility and scalability to public clouds, a hybrid cloud service designed to facilitate seamless application mobility, disaster recovery and migration across multiple clouds, and a multi-cloud managed security service.

    Singtel and VMware also plan to establish similar cloud foundries in Australia and Hong Kong in the future.

    “Digitalization lies at the heart of most companies’ transformation. Many companies share the need to migrate to and operate in the cloud, get their networks software-driven in order to create workplaces of the future,” Singtel CEO group enterprise Bill Chang said.

    “The Foundry will empower customers to implement an integrated cloud solution with ease. We will help them design, secure and deploy cloud-enabled solutions, in short, customize the flexible infrastructure they need to accelerate digital transformation, adopt new and disruptive technologies, and boost competitiveness.”

  • Singtel to link mobile wallets across Asia

    Singtel to link mobile wallets across Asia

    Singtel expects the service to launch mid-2018 in 20,000 points in Singapore and Thailand.

    Travellers with Singtel’s mobile wallets could soon continue to use their home wallet app to make payments when overseas.

    Singtel will link its mobile wallets across different ecosystems through an interoperable platform. It will begin with the mobile wallets of the company and its regional associates through the first commercial launch between Singtel and AIS, it said in an announcement.

    “This will be the first time that different mobile wallets across different markets are connected to offer seamless cross-border payments at physical merchants,” Singtel said, “The initiative to expand the Group’s mobile wallet services underscores the continued commitment of Singtel and its regional associates to enhance the mobile payments experience for customers.”

    The telco also noted that this will enable its 590 million mobile customers to securely and conveniently pay with their mobile wallets when they travel in Asia. “Other mobile payment apps can, in future, plug into the platform and gain ready access to the Group’s merchant and customer bases across the region,” it added.

    Singtel International Group CEO Arthur Lang noted that the mobile payments scene in Asia today is fragmented with many different systems and this poses a challenge to the adoption of mobile payments. “As a Group, we believe we can bring about change through our cross-border interoperable platform and collaboration with like-minded partners. Our vision is to unlock the growth potential of mobile payments in the region by providing customers with a convenient, seamless experience, and helping small merchants widen their reach to millions of consumers.”

    In 2017, there were more than 80 million tourist arrivals into Singtel Group’s markets in Asia. “As many small merchants are still unbanked in this region but smartphone penetration is high, mobile payments provide a simple and secure alternative to travellers who might not want the hassle of carrying large amounts of foreign currency with them,” Singtel said.

    “With our customers’ digital lifestyles and the growth in intra-region travel, it is a natural progression for us to take our local mobile wallets regional first, by leveraging the strengths and reach of the Singtel Group in Asia,” Lang added.

    The commercial launch of the service is planned for mid-2018 between Singapore and Thailand where Singtel and AIS have obtained regulatory clearance. This will enable over 1.5 million visitors travelling between Singapore and Thailand each year to use Singtel Dash and my AIS apps at a total of more than 20,000 retail merchant acceptance points in Singapore and Thailand.

    The Group plans to progressively expand this service from the second half of 2018 to other regional associates, which include Airtel, Globe and Telkomsel, taking into consideration the respective country’s regulations.

    Telkomsel CEO Ririek Adriansyah said, “Once we obtain regulatory clearance, we can provide TCASH customers greater convenience whether they are transacting locally or overseas, and give our local merchants new income opportunities from regional travellers.”

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  • Singtel Q3 profit falls 9%

    Singtel Q3 profit falls 9%

    Singtel has reported a 9% decline in profit for its fiscal third quarter to S$890 million ($671.7 million) as a result of declining voice revenues, higher costs and lower earnings from the operator’s regional mobile associates.

    Revenue for the December quarter grew 4% to S$4.6 billion as a result of higher earnings from Singtel’s wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Optus and strong contributions from the group’s digital businesses.

    Optus reported an 8% increase in revenue on the back of strong postpaid mobile and NBN customer growth. During the quarter, mobile revenue grew 4% and 125,000 new postpaid customers were added. Optus’ 4G population coverage meanwhile reached 96.6%.

    But Singapore consumer revenues fell 6% due to ongoing voice to data substitution and lower equipment revenues, partially offset by solid mobile data growth.

    Group enterprise revenue also fell 4% for the quarter, while Singtel’s Group Digital Life revenues more than doubled.

    Pre-tax earnings from Singtel’s network of regional mobile associates meanwhile fell 17.8% to S$523 million, largely as a result of the lower contribution from India’s Bharti Airtel due to the mobile termination rate cut and ongoing intense competition.

    Earnings also fell at Indonesia’s Telkomsel as a result of growing competition and at the Philippines’ Globe Telecom due to higher network investment related costs, but profit contributions from Thailand’s AIS rose due to solid revenue growth.

    “We see our investments in network infrastructure and spectrum as critical to our future growth and longer term returns in this digital world. Already, our transformation strategy is delivering with digital and ICT services accounting for 23% of our revenue this quarter,” Singtel group CEO Chua Sock Koong said.

    “Despite the current business headwinds, our regional associates’ markets remain attractive with strong mobile data growth. The ongoing consolidation in India will also pave the way for a healthier industry. We believe our associates’ investments in networks and spectrum, strategic partnerships and focus on innovation will pay off.”

    Singtel recently arranged to pay $412.6 million to indirectly increase its stake in Bharti Airtel to 39.5%.

  • Singtel appoints global cyber security chief

    Singtel appoints global cyber security chief

    Singtel has appointed Arthur Wong (pictured) as its new CEO of global cyber security to help fulfil the operator’s ambition of becoming a global leader in the cyber security market.

    Wong joins Singtel from IT services company DXC Technology, where he served as SVP and general manager of the company’s security business.

    DXC was formed from the $25.6 billion merger of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services (HPE) and Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), which closed in April.

    Wong has also previously with companies such as HP, Symantec and McAfee in various executive roles. Wong is also the founder of five startups, including IT security companies Secure Networks and SecurityFocus.

    “We are very pleased to bring Art on board as we step up efforts to drive growth in our cyber security business,” Singtel CEO Bill Chang said.

    “This newly-created position reflects our commitment to scaling the Group’s cyber business and accelerating our journey to becoming a global leader in the cyber security space. Art’s wealth of industry experience will help us optimise our cyber security assets and sharpen our business unit’s focus.”

    Singtel’s cyber security revenues grew 84% S$473 million ($361.5 million) in the year ended in March last year and are expected to reach around S$550 million this financial year.

    The company employs over 2,000 cyber security professionals across nine advanced security operations centers in APAC, Europe and the Americas, as well as through its Trustwave managed security services business, which the company acquired in 2015.

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  • Singtel to develop IoT smart meter infrastructure

    Singtel to develop IoT smart meter infrastructure

    Singtel has entered an agreement with global smart metering vendor EDMI Limited to develop a smart electric metering infrastructure for Singapore.

    The partners have been testing the use of smart electric meters over Singtel’s nationwide LTE Cat-M1 cellular IoT network to enable the wireless transmission of real-time meter readings to the power grid.

    The companies plan to offer their IoT-powered smart metering solutions for residential, commercial and industrial areas as part of the Energy Market Authority’s plan to roll out smart meters in the city in the second half of 2018.

    Singtel is already providing M2M connectivity for EDMI’s digital electric meters in Singapore.

    “Giving electricity suppliers real-time data on electricity consumption allows them to optimize the distribution of electricity to certain areas and times of the day especially when demand is peaking,” commented Andrew Lim, business group managing director at Singtel’s Group Enterprise.

    “The pairing of smart meters with our IoT network will give consumers more accurate meter readings and ultimately bring cost savings.”

    Singtel launched its Cat-M1 IoT network in September and has been conducting trials with over 20 potential partners at its joint IoT innovation lab with Ericsson, which was established earlier in the year.

  • Singtel unveils managed SDN solution for enterprises

    Singtel unveils managed SDN solution for enterprises

    Singaporean incumbent carrier Singtel has launched a new network solution to support enterprises’ evolving networking needs across the globe.

    The new solution, touted as Singtel Managed Software-Defined Branch (Singtel SD Branch), is delivered through a “white box” or generic hardware that enables enterprises to manage multiple and virtualized network functions at their existing sites or when they expand into new branch offices, Singtel said in a statement released Monday.

    Goh Boon Huat, vice president of global products at Singtel Group Enterprise said the new managed SDN solution is designed to help enterprises to tackle challenges of complex hybrid WAN architecture encompassing private and public Internet networks.

    “Singtel SD Branch provides a way to spin up and take down services seamlessly, offers full service visibility and manageability up to the application layer. This simplifies their WAN infrastructure, enabling agile managed network solutions to keep pace with growing business needs in different geographical regions,” Goh said.

    With Singtel SD Branch, enterprises are assured of enhanced security and optimal performance of their networks and applications.

    They can better monitor network usage, issues real-time as well as add new functions, such as unified threat management, to the same hardware without incurring additional installation charges. These will in turn reduce their capital and operating expenditures, Singtel said.

    Singtel SD Branch is available globally and integrated with Singtel’s underlay assets of submarine cables, IP VPN network of 428 Points of Presence, and its Global Internet service in more than 200 countries.

    Developed based on the network functions virtualization (NFV) concept, Singtel SD Branch is the latest addition to Singtel’s suite of next generation SD network solutions following the launch of its SD-WAN in 2015 and cloud-based NFV service last year.

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  • Singtel, Ericsson to establish 5G CoE

    Singtel, Ericsson to establish 5G CoE

    Singtel and Ericsson have announced plans to jointly establish Singapore’s first 5G Center of Excellence to spearhead Singapore’s evolution to 5G.

    The center will receive co-funding from both Singtel and Ericsson, with the companies committing an initial $2 million investment for the next three years.

    It will seek to train 100 Singtel engineers in the critical competencies involved in designing and operating a 5G network, with Ericsson conducting workshops, field testing and providing hands-on experience.

    The center will also be open to Singapore’s wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Optus as well as its network of minority-owned regional mobile associates in Asia and Africa.

    “This is a critical next step in our journey to 5G. We’re pleased to partner Ericsson to enhance our 5G core competencies and create a robust 5G ecosystem that will allow Singtel and our enterprise customers to benefit from the anticipated growth opportunities 5G will bring,” Singtel group CTO Mark Chong said.

    “We invite customers in various verticals, such as transportation, port operations and next-generation manufacturing, to start shaping their new digital business models with us.”

    Singtel also plans to conduct 5G demos from its Comcentre headquarters to showcase potential future 5G applications such as immersive augmented reality experiences, haptic feedback for surgical operations and remote medical training.

    Next year Singtel also plans to deploy a 5G test bed to allow it to conduct live 5G field trials with enterprise customers, and engage research and tertiary institutions on potential collaborations to test 5G radios and use cases.

  • Singtel to be first in SEA to launch Google’s Pixel 2 XL

    Singtel to be first in SEA to launch Google’s Pixel 2 XL

    Singtel has signed on as the exclusive telco partner in Singapore for Google’s planned Pixel 2 XL smartphone.

    The operator will become the first in Southeast Asia to launch the device for customers when it is launched on November 15, Singtel said.

    The Cat 11 LTE compatible Pixel 2 XL will support data speeds of up to 500Mbps island-wide using Singtel’s LTE-Advanced network. It will also support a localized version of the Google Assistant virtual assistant service, which will be launched soon for use with Singaporean English.

    The device is now available for pre-order on Singtel’s website.

    “We’re excited to bring the Pixel 2 XL to Singapore. It is a device that many Android fans here have been eagerly waiting for, and we are sure they will be amazed by its innovative features,” Singtel CEO consumer Singapore Yuen Kuan Moon said.

    “With our extensive 4G network speeds and new Combo plans, coupled with our unlimited data options, customers will enjoy the optimal Google Pixel 2 XL experience.”

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  • Singtel debuts unlimited mobile data plan

    Singtel debuts unlimited mobile data plan

    Singtel has launched what it says are Singapore’s first mobile plans with unlimited data, talktime and SMS, following a nationwide network upgrade to 500Mbps on compatible handsets.

    The operator’s new Singtel Combo 3, 6 and 12 mobile plans will be upgraded with unlimited talktime and SMS, will come with an optional add-on providing unlimited local data for S$39.90 ($29.68) per month. The price for the entry-level Combo 3 plan is S$68.90.

    The DATA X INFINITY add-on is subject to a fair use cap of 50GB above the data bundle allocated in the base plan (3GB, 6GB and 12GB respectively), after which data speeds will be capped at 1Mbps until the next billing cycle.

    Singtel also reserves the right to implement a daily fair use policy that prioritizes network data allocations away from heavy users.

    At launch, customers subscribing to the Combo 6 (S$95.90) and 12 plans will also be provided with a monthly free data roaming plan and will be able to bundle additional data roaming options to stay connected while overseas.

    “We recognise that our customers want flexibility and control over their mobile plans… With our nationwide network upgrade to 500Mbps supporting the latest iPhone 8 and iPhone X, as well as Samsung Note8, our customers can now enjoy the full potential of their devices at blazing speeds,” Singtel CEO consumer Singapore Yuen Kuan Moon said.

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  • Singtel to close copper-based ADSL networks

    Singtel to close copper-based ADSL networks

    Singtel has revealed plans to progressively shut down its copper-based ADSL networks as part of a push to accelerate fiber based service adoption to business and residential customers.

    The operator will shut down copper-based ADSL that supports broadband, TV, digital voice and private network services in stages during a process expected to be completed by early 2018.

    In addition, Singtel plans to cease copper deployment to commercial buildings that obtain temporary occupation permit (TOP) status from April 2018, and instead serve customers in the buildings using fiber-based networks. The company stopped deploying copper to new residential buildings in 2013.

    “We are pleased to make this technology adoption push in support of today’s digital economy and tomorrow’s connected Smart Nation. Fiber-based networks today [are] capable of offering far greater speeds and supporting a much wider range of services than the prevailing copper-based networks,” Singtel VP of consumer products for consumer Singapore Wong Soon Nam said.

    “Singtel will work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure our customers will enjoy a smooth and fuss-free transition to the fiber network. We will also reach out to customers through various channels to make sure they are informed of the impending change and make available a range of affordable plans to cater to their varied communication needs.”

  • Singtel adds HOOQ to OTT video portal app

    Singtel adds HOOQ to OTT video portal app

    Singtel has expanded its OTT video portal app CAST to incorporate the video on demand streaming service HOOQ.

    HOOQ, a joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Warner Bros, has a library of over 20,000 movies and TV series. It has launched across SEA and in India.

    Movies are available on the platform up to 90 days after cinema release, and TV series are telecast on the same day as the US.

    With its incorporation into CAST, the HOOQ content library can now be viewed on mobile devices, tablets or TV screens through Android TV or Chromecast.

    CAST users will be offered a three-month trial of HOOQ, after which they can subscribe on a 12-month contract for S$4.90 per month.  Access can also be purchased contract-free for S$7.90 per month.

    “Hollywood, Asian and kids’ content are extremely popular with our customers. We are pleased to offer HOOQ’s vast selection in the palm of their hands or comfort of their own homes,” Singtel managing director home consumer Goh Seow Eng said.

    “We will continue to expand CAST’s content library for our customers’ enjoyment.”

  • Wirecard teams with Singtel for virtual Visa card

    Wirecard teams with Singtel for virtual Visa card

    Wirecard has teamed up with Singtel to support the recent deployment of Singapore’s first Visa virtual card for Singtel’s mobile wallet Dash.

    Singtel Dash is an all-in-one digital wallet that allows customers to shop, pay transport fares and remit money.

    Since the launch of the Visa virtual account last month, Singtel Dash’s 500,000 customers have been using their mobile phones to make payments in over 50,000 PayWave-enabled merchants across Singapore and use the payment platform to shop at Singapore-based e-commerce stores.

    “We are very proud to be a partner for Singapore’s leading digital wallet,” Wirecard EVP of global financial services Grigoriy Kuznetsov said.

    “Singtel can now process mobile virtual Visa payments with Wirecard as a Bank Identification Number (BIN) sponsor. This further reinforces our position as a leading global prepaid issuer and BIN sponsor. It also demonstrates our state-of-the-art card processing capabilities.”

    “Singtel Dash has gained more traction as a payment option of choice. With the adoption of Wirecard’s card processing solution, our customers can now make hassle-free mobile virtual Visa payments,” Singtel head of mCommerce consumer Singapore Gilbert Chuah said.

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  • Singtel profit falls 6% in June quarter

    Singtel profit falls 6% in June quarter

    Singtel has reported a 6% decline in net profit for the June quarter as a result of lower contributions from the company’s minority-owned regional associates and workforce restructuring charges at wholly-owned Australian subsidiary Optus.

    Profit for Singtel’s fiscal first quarter fell 6% to S$892 million ($654 million), despite an 8% increase in operating revenue to S$4.23 billion.

    Singapore consumer revenue increased 2% due to growth in data usage, home services and equipment sales offsetting declines in voice and roaming services. Consumer revenue from Australia meanwhile increased 6% across mobile and fixed services.

    Group enterprise revenue meanwhile increased a slim 1% as growth in ICT services partially offset a decline in traditional carriage services. Digital services unit Group Digital Life’s revenue surged 91%, driven by digital advertising subsidiary Amobee’s strong performance across both social and media advertising.

    But Singtel’s share of pre-tax earnings from regional associates fell 3.8% – or 6.6% in constant currency – to S$673 million, as a result of the shrinking profit at India’s Bharti Airtel, which is facing intense competition due to the entry into the market of disruptive new entrant Reliance Jio Infocomm.

    Excluding the impact of Airtel’s 42% lower pre-tax profit contribution, Singtel’s underlying net profit would have increased 3%.

    By contrast, Indonesia’s Telkomsel increased its pre-tax profit contribution by 18% due to strong growth in data and digital services.

    “We’ve had a good start to the year with a more challenging business environment. This speaks to the resilience of our core consumer business and the investments we’ve made in the digital space in our efforts to grow new businesses,” Singtel group CEO Chua Sock Koong said.

    “We are encouraged by their performance as they scale up to capture the opportunities in the new economy.”

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  • Singtel deploying Massive MIMO

    Singtel deploying Massive MIMO

    Singtel is deploying Massive MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) technology commercially on its LTE-Advanced mobile network to improve the mobile data experience during special events.

    A precursor to 5G technology, Massive MIMO is an advanced solution used to boost network capacity in highly dense environments. The company plans to use the technology to improve mobile data speeds by up to 200% during busy periods.

    Singtel teamed up with Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE for the deployment of Massive MIMO technology at the Marina Bay area. Singtel rolled out the network boost at yesterday’s National Day celebrations, with other deployments planned for the Singapore F1 Night Race and the New Year countdown event.

    “On the joyous occasion of our National Day celebrations, Singtel is pleased to be pairing our newly-acquired 2.5-GHz spectrum with Massive MIMO technology to expand our network capacity and offer our customers an enhanced mobile experience at this and other special events,” Singtel group CTO Mark Chong said.

    Globally, large crowds gathered at events, such as concerts and festivals, use high volumes of data to share their experiences via real-time videos on social media.

    This extraordinary behaviour generates a dramatic spike in network traffic, presenting a challenge for operators to provide fast and consistent data speeds.

    Singtel has identified Massive MIMO as one of the solutions to the problem. Singtel will use Massive MIMO base stations featuring a large array of 64 antennas that improve spectral efficiency and cell capacity using innovations in radio technologies.

    The innovative antenna system channels signals to users’ specific locations instead of broadcasting across a geographical area. This multiplies the number of data paths from the cellular base stations, thus increasing network capacity and improving user experience.

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