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Fibre Installation Works for mass home reach exercise will stop from 3rd February 2013 and resume on 25th February 2013.

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“We found a greater satisfaction with fibre services among existing customers and an increasing demand for hassle-free online experiences among non-fibre users,” said Mr Mark Blake, CEO, OpenNet. “Requests for optical fibre broadband connections are growing consistently with seasonal spikes during local IT shows such as the recently concluded SITEX 2012.”

OpenNet’s subscriber base has grown to 250,000 in November 2012, a 150% increase from the 100,000 subscribers recorded at the start of the year.  To meet the temporary increase in demand from the SITEX 2012 show, OpenNet added more than 4400 seasonal installation slots.

While the penetration of home internet remains the same, the Fibre Index shows an increase in the frequency of Internet usage in the average household. There is also a significant jump in the number of users accessing the Internet for music and video downloads, online file storage and online conferencing.” said Mr Blake.

The survey found that while the broadband penetration rate stayed at 93%, the Internet is becoming more important to Singaporeans with the number of respondents reporting daily usage increasing from 76% in 2011 to 87% in 2012. 

Email access (84%) and video streaming (72%) remain the most popular online activities. Video downloads saw a 45% increase with 49% respondents engaging in the activity in 2012 as opposed to 27% in 2011. Music downloads saw a 31% increase with 48% respondents engaging in the activity in 2012 as opposed to 33% in 2011. Online file storage (29%), online calls and conferencing (40%) and video content uploads (45%) all saw significant growth as opposed to the previous year.

“We also observed interesting trends in the preferred online activities among different age-groups. While the younger set spends the most time on entertainment applications such as music and gaming, the older users go for more practical applications such as online banking and trading,” shared Mr Blake.

While 15-24-year-olds are more likely to spend their time downloading music, uploading photos and gaming, the 25-34-year-olds spend more time streaming videos and purchasing tickets or other items online. The 35 and older group spend more time engaging in online banking, trading, accessing work files and emails and blogging.

Fibre broadband trends

“It’s encouraging to see that fibre customers today are considerably more satisfied with their fibre installation and usage experiences than they were a year ago,” shared Mr Blake. Overall customer experience has improved with satisfaction for terminal point (TP) installations having gone up from 68% in 2011 to 84% in 2012. Among fibre broadband users, 74% are satisfied with their connection with 27% being extremely satisfied. There is also now greater interest in fibre with 43% of users who’ve received a fibre broadband advertisement or promotion wanting to sign up this year as opposed to 38% of users in 2011.

The survey included feedback on regular Internet issues such as dropped connections, slow Internet during peak hours, slow streaming and download speeds, longer page load times, poor quality Internet calls, among others. “Fibre users were found to be less likely to face problems with their connection than non-fibre users, up to almost 20% lower depending on the issues concerned. Most notably, fibre broadband services fared much better than non-fibre services in the areas of: performance with multiple users engaging in online activities at the same time; performance during peak hours; and file download and page load speeds,” added Mr Blake.

Some of the most compelling benefits that make users opt for a fibre broadband connection include: downloading a full movie in 3-5 minutes; all members of the household being able to use the Internet at the same time without degraded performance; access to international websites at a faster speed; instant photo upload and sharing at full resolution; and faster connections to US-based TV and video services such as Hulu and Netflix.

Overall, the primary motivation behind fibre adoption remains faster Internet (65%) followed by cost efficiency (25%), better technology (7%), stable connectivity (6%), end of current contract (4%) and promotional offers (4%). Internet usage patterns remain similar across non-fibre and fibre users with some spikes in video streaming, online banking and gaming for fibre users.

About the OpenNet Fibre Index survey

The OpenNet Fibre Index survey was conducted independently among a representative sample of n=500 Singapore citizens and PRs aged 15 and over. All respondents were a key decision maker or influencer in choice of home broadband. Fieldwork was conducted via door-knocks and telephone interviews between August 24^th and September 28^th 2012.

About Acorn Marketing & Research Consultants

Founded in Singapore in 1985, Acorn Marketing & Research Consultants has grown to become the largest independent Asian research network, with full service operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam. The premium tier agency specialises in strategic brand planning, product development and in-depth studies. 

For more information about Acorn, visit www.acornasia.com

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact:

mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

“After the quarterly review, OpenNet is happy to increase its capacity to meet the growing demand for fibre installation. OpenNet will continue to monitor and adjust its capacity to meet changes in demand,” says Mr Daniel Ho, Director of Business Development and Communications from OpenNet.

OpenNet’s fibre subscriber base reached the 220,000 mark in September 2012 – more than doubling in only 9 months since hitting the 100,000 mark in January 2012.

“With the penetration of fibre broadband reaching 20% of households in Singapore, OpenNet and its partners need to step up on education and marketing initiatives to reach out to a wider audience beyond the early adopters. Communicating the benefits of fibre over ADSL and Cable is especially critical in a market dominated by traditional broadband services. The introduction of innovative fibre-based service offerings tailored to specific customer needs will strengthen the case for fibre,” added Daniel.

OpenNet will continue to work closely with its stakeholders to cater for the continuing growth in demand for fibre services.

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact: mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

“OpenNet continues to be encouraged by Singapore’s strong support and adoption of the Next Gen NBN. As users enjoy a richer and smoother broadband experience, OpenNet is proud to be a contributor to the transformation of Singapore into an intelligent nation and global city. We appreciate the support of our customers and partners in this ambitious endeavour,” said Mr Mark Blake, CEO, OpenNet.

OpenNet’s focus is now on the remaining 5% and new premises. While roll-out to 95% of Singaporean premises was on schedule, there have been some delays in reaching the remaining premises. OpenNet has, however, recently reached an agreement with its Key Sub-contractor to roll-out fibre to the balance 5% premises by mid-2013. The coverage information is being updated and from 1^st November 2012, premise owners may check OpenNet’s portal at www.opennet.com.sg for specific coverage details. A letter will also be sent to homeowners when fibre roll-out to their building has been completed. Homeowners may then approach their preferred Internet Service Provider to subscribe to fibre broadband services, including a free first pass installation of the fibre termination point.

Since the announcement of its 100,000th fibre subscriber in January this year, OpenNet’s subscriber base more than doubled to 220,000 in Sep 2012. OpenNet will continue to support the growth in demand for fibre services and work closely with the IDA, all of its customers and stakeholders to build Singapore’s Next Gen NBN into a world-class fibre network. 

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact: mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

Fibre connections to homes started in September 2010 and demand for fibre connections has been robust. This milestone is especially notable given that the current broadband market is a mature one, dominated by traditional ADSL and Cable broadband service.

“From the recently concluded Comex 2012, more than 7,000 subscribers were added. More people are beginning to recognise the benefits of switching over to a fibre broadband service. This is testimony to the continued efforts by OpenNet’s broadband service providers in promoting the benefits of fibre networks over ADSL and Cable” says OpenNet’s Director of Business Development and Communications, Mr Daniel Ho.

Fibre broadband is allowing users to enjoy a richer and smoother broadband experience at competitive prices without compromising on multi-user experience. With the increased installation capacity implemented by OpenNet in August, waiting time for service provider to get a fibre connection from OpenNet is currently 3 business days.

OpenNet is committed to supporting the growth in demand for fibre services and looks forward to hitting the next milestone of welcoming the 250,000^th fibre subscriber.

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact:

mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

Mr Khoo has helmed OpenNet for two years and saw the company through its successful rollout of the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) network coverage to 95%. He achieved a high penetration of fibre connections by ramping up services in tandem with a rollout that continues at an unprecedented pace.

“The Board of Directors of OpenNet appreciates and is grateful to Mr Khoo for his unwavering dedication, commitment and invaluable contributions to the company during the past two critical years,” said Mr Tan Gee Paw, Chairman and Independent Director of OpenNet, on behalf of the Board.

Mr Blake was appointed the COO of OpenNet Pte Ltd on 1 December 2011. Prior to his secondment to OpenNet, Mr Blake was the Vice President, Asia Pacific for Axia NetMedia Corporation. Mr Blake had deep knowledge of OpenNet and its business even before he joined the company, as he had led Axia’s business development group through the OpenNet bid and award process.

“I am encouraged that demand for fibre has been robust. We are committed to support the growth in demand for fibre services and will work closely with all stakeholders to build Singapore’s Next Gen NBN into a world-class fibre network,” said Mr Blake. 

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact:

mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

“OpenNet has been discussing the new capacity increase with IDA since early this year. Now that we have more visibility on the trend for the past one year since installation orders exceeded capacity in June 2011, we are able to better anticipate the demand. Following this increase, OpenNet will continue to adjust its installation capacity as the demand changes,” noted Mr Daniel Ho, Director of Business Development and Communications from OpenNet.

OpenNet will also continue to provide additional capacity on a temporary basis to accommodate spikes in demand that occur around the quarterly IT shows. An additional 5,000 seasonal slots will be added in September to prepare for the coming Comex Show.

OpenNet currently has over 170,000 subscribers with more than 15,000 new subscribers connecting to the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) in the month of June 2012 alone. OpenNet expects fibre connections in Singapore to more than double from the January 2012 base by the end of this year.

“We are encouraged by the numbers and we have seen strong increase in subscriptions over the past six months. More people are beginning to recognise the benefits of switching over to a fibre network,” added Daniel.

OpenNet has also rolled out a marketing programme to Service Operators to improve uptake of fibre connections in the non-residential sector. The programme includes an effort to leverage on the resources and relationships of Service Operators with the building management of non-residential buildings to secure access and fibre penetration into non-residential premises.

OpenNet is committed to supporting the growth in demand for fibre services and will continue to work closely with the IDA and all of its customers and stakeholders to build Singapore’s NGNBN into a world-class fibre network.

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 Nationwide Broadband Network (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 speeds of 1Gbps and above per end user.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg.

For media enquiries only, please contact:

mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

In addition to its regular installation capacity and in response to market demand, OpenNet has also been increasing installation capacity on a temporary basis to accommodate the spikes in demand for fibre installation slots that occur around the quarterly I.T. shows.  These seasonal increases in connection capacity will continue to supplement the new weekly quotas.  

In conjunction with its increase in installation capacity, OpenNet will be rolling out a marketing programme to Service Operators to improve uptake of fibre connections in the non-residential sector. The programme includes an effort to leverage on the resources and relationships of Service Operators with the building management of non-residential buildings to secure access and fibre penetration into non-residential premises.

Since the announcement of our 100,000th fibre subscriber in January this year, OpenNet’s subscriber base has grown by an additional 50%. In the month of June 2012 alone, OpenNet added over 15,000 subscribers to the Next Gen NBN. OpenNet expects fibre connections in Singapore to more than double from the January 2012 base by the end of this year.

OpenNet is committed to supporting the growth in demand for fibre services and will work closely with the IDA and all of its customers and stakeholders to continue to build Singapore’s Next Generation National Broadband Network into a world-class fibre network.

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact:

mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg

Ninety percent coverage today due to Aggressive Rollout

Singapore, 08 May 2012 – OpenNet was awarded the tender in September 2008 to build Singapore’s next generation fibre network with construction beginning in earnest in early 2009. In three years OpenNet has rolled out fibre to over 90% of Singapore’s homes and businesses.

Aggressive Rollout

OpenNet is scheduled to complete its obligations to roll out fibre to 95% of all Singapore premises by July, 2012. Nowhere in the world has a ubiquitous nationwide fibre-to-the-premise network been rolled out as quickly as it has in Singapore.

The IDA’s original requirement as part of its tender process allowed the network to be completed by 2015.  OpenNet had offered and committed itself to complete the network by the middle of 2012.

Proactive Responses

OpenNet knew this commitment was aggressive. However we felt that a fast rollout was critical to market adoption and to preventing parts of the market having to wait over five years for fibre services. Activation of fibre services started progressively from September 2010.

The rollout has not been without its challenges. OpenNet has experienced installation delays for non-residential customers and extended wait times for residential customers. OpenNet treats all such delays very seriously.

OpenNet has been working to increase its activation capacity to reduce waiting time. From the originally contracted 2,050 activation slots per week, the capacity was raised to 2,400 slots in August 2011. Additional capacity was also added to meet surges in demand that occurred quarterly especially during the IT shows.

OpenNet has been working with the IDA to further increase capacity. OpenNet discussed with IDA on a draft plan on 7 February 2012 to raise the activation capacity beyond 2,400 slots per week to meet industry demand. In addition, the extra slots to meet demand surges would continue to be provided. The proposal took into account both the demand run-rate for the different type of installations required and deploying a capacity level that is optimal and cost-effective. A review mechanism was included to allow for a more regular review and adjustment of capacity to market demands.

Discussions arose between the IDA and OpenNet over the need to establish dedicated capacities for the different types of work OpenNet and its Key Sub-contractor (KSC) Singapore Telecommunications Company (SingTel) believe are necessary to efficiently manage activation of fibre services.

Subsequent to these discussions, a formal proposal was made on 2 March 2012 and the IDA released the OpenNet’s revised Interconnection Offer (ICO) drafting for public comments on 18 April 2012. OpenNet looks forward to completing the review process and raising its activation capacity in the near future.

On the non-residential front, OpenNet has been actively engaging the building management of non-residential buildings to explain the benefits of the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) and securing access for OpenNet’s fibre.

The existing arrangement also allows service providers (QPs/RSPs) to undertake in-building wiring independent of OpenNet. So far, service providers have taken up a very limited number of such services. OpenNet is currently studying how it can encourage greater take-up in this segment.

Clarification on contractual relationship with KSC

There has been talk that OpenNet can or should simply engage more contractors to complete the fibre activation and installation work.

As with any commercial relationship, the details of OpenNet’s contracts are confidential. However we will provide the following clarification.

In order for OpenNet to complete the rollout in 3.5 years, OpenNet must rely on SingTel as its KSC for the construction of the fibre network and activating the fibre. OpenNet is pursuing all avenues in its work with its KSC to ensure we can jointly meet our rollout obligations and market demands.

Unfortunately, some aspects of OpenNet’s performance are affected by disputes with its KSC. OpenNet has initiated a dispute resolution process to seek resolution to the disputes.

Furthermore, there has been speculation that OpenNet has initiated a Judicial Review (JR) on the installation quota and ICO review. While OpenNet is not able to comment on the case as it is currently before the court, we wish to clarify that the JR is not about activation capacity, installation quota or the ICO review.

Growing Demand for Fibre

Singaporeans are savvy early adopters of technology. While residential and non-residential services have only been available on the Next Gen NBN since September 2010, there are to-date over 133,000 active subscribers. In the month of March 2012 alone, OpenNet added over 14,000 subscribers to the Next Gen NBN.

OpenNet will continue to work closely with the IDA and all of its customers and stakeholders to continue to build Singapore’s Next Generation National Broadband Network into a world-class fibre network.

About OpenNet Pte Ltd 

OpenNet is responsible for building, managing and operating the world’s first nationwide all-optical fibre platform, which is the key foundation of Singapore’s Next Gen NBN. Next Gen NBN is designed to be an ultra-high bandwidth, resilient and scalable state-of-the-art optical fibre network that is capable of delivering speeds of 1Gbps and above to homes, offices and premises around Singapore.

For more information about OpenNet, visit www.opennet.com.sg

For media enquiries only, please contact:

mediaenquiries@opennet.com.sg