OpenNet to begin fibre deployment to the homes from July 2009
OpenNet to begin fibre deployment to the homes from July 2009
Initial installation offer of up to the first 15 metres within the home owner’s premise will be free
16 JUNE, 2009 - OpenNet Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Axia NetMedia, Singapore Telecommunications, Singapore Press Holdings and SP Telecommunications, has commenced the world’ first nationwide all-fibre platform rollout, a key foundation for Singapore’s Next Generation National Broadband Network. The Next Gen NBN is one of the key programmes under the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) blueprint to turn Singapore into a sophisticated city-state with seamless connectivity by 2015.
Rollout Progress
OpenNet’s all-fibre platform will see a 5 per cent completion progress by September 2009. Almost 2,000 buildings will be covered with the highest clusters being in Macpherson/Braddell area, Jurong, Middle Road/Golden Mile and Geylang/Eunos area. This converts to about 56,000 homes and 1,000 non-residential premises.
By the end of next year, 60 per cent of homes and offices can already expect to have access to this new and pervasive, all-fibre network. This includes an estimated 350 schools in total. By 2012, 95 per cent of homes and offices nationwide will be connected to Singapore’s ultra high-speed Next Gen NBN.
Copper as a medium, which is commonly used in existing infrastructure, will eventually face scalability issues in the future, especially at bandwidth of 100Mbps and beyond. Optical fibre is the most effective medium to meet future Gigabit bandwidth requirements.
Fibre to the Home (FTTH) will become a new utility outlet in providing ultra-high bandwidth for triple play services of voice, data and video to the home in the near future. Commercial, educational and other industry sectors will also benefit from the Fibre to the Building/Premise outlet as it is expected that their bandwidth will continue to grow exponentially in the coming years.
OpenNet has carefully considered the selection of its nine Central Offices (COs) with the widest geographical spread to meet the key objective of a high level of broadband coverage within the shortest deployment timeframe. Co-location space is also provided at each CO to allow for effective open access to OpenNet customers.
Building Owners
For building developers/owners who would like to assist in the progression of FTTH, they will need to allow OpenNet access to their building’s Main Distributor Frame (MDF) rooms/ Telecommunication Equipment Room (TER) and telecoms risers to facilitate the installation of optical fibre cables and accessories. For cases where building owners refuse entry, OpenNet will not be able to establish any fibre network to that building.
OpenNet will send out letters to notify building developers/owners to allow OpenNet to access the MDF Rooms/TER and risers. There will be no cost involved for building developers/owners, for the installation of optical cable in the MDF rooms and riser.
OpenNet and its contractors will work with building developers/owners and MCs of developments to minimise any disturbance during installation phase. As an example, for condominiums, the contractors will arrange for installers to work between 9am - 5pm, after residents have gone to work and children have gone to school.
Homeowners
As the plan progresses, reasonable attempts will also be made via letters and other means to reach homeowners for sign up. The set up and installation to the premises will entail up to two installers per visit, and will take less than four hours per installation. OpenNet’s contractors will consult with the homeowner or office tenant to determine a suitable location to mount the fibre box in the premise. Homeowners can rest assure that one fibre termination point will be enough for a home networking set up with multiple users. Whenever possible, the contractors will leverage on existing points of ingress to install the fibre optical cable into homesand offices wherever possible.
Although the initial installation offering is free, subsequent requests for installation from those who refuse the initial offer will have to pay $220/connection for a residential high-rise or $450/connection for a residential landed property if they subsequently request for fibre installation.
Today, OpenNet is launching its Coverage Check portal (www.opennet.com.sg), an essential tool for any interested homeowners to check the availability of fibre in their area using a mere postal code. The portal also enables homeowners to sign up for fibre installation or register for alert when the fibre is reaching their buildings. Further information required by the public can be directed to ask@opennet.com.sg. Building owners can direct any query relating to building installation through email at info@opennet.com.sg.
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About OpenNet Pte Ltd
OpenNet was established in 2008, and is a joint venture between four partners - Axia NetMedia (Axia), Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and SP Telecommunications (SPT). The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), has awarded OpenNet the contract to build, manage and operate a nationwide all-fibre platform for Singapore’s Next Generation National Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN). Being the foundation of the Next Gen NBN, OpenNet will provide a competitive, yet neutral, level playing field environment for all downstream operators, enabling the delivery of rich content and ultra-high speed of 1Gbps and above per end user.
For media queries, please contact
Corporate and Marketing Communication
OpenNet Ptd Ltd
Email: press@opennet.com.sg
