SingTel fire: 60,000 customers to be compensated
Derrick Ho
The Straits Times
Thursday, Oct 17, 2013
Singtel said it would compensate as many as 60,000 home customers whose broadband Internet was crippled for days due to a fire at one of its exchange facilities. But some affected subscribers were not appeased.
Affected customers will get a speed boost for the next three months, the telco told The Straits Times on Monday. For instance, those on a 200Mbps plan will get bumped up to 300Mbps for free.
The 44,000 customers who had their mioTV service disrupted will be given a month's worth of free viewing of all channels.
Those whose fixed voice lines went down will get one month's worth of free local calls.
"We are very sorry about this... while we cannot reverse the events that have taken place in the last few days, we'd really like to thank our customers for their patience and their understanding," said Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, chief executive of SingTel's consumer division here.
Many affected subscribers The Straits Times spoke to did not seem assuaged by the telco's offer. Civil servant Sallihin Othman, whose broadband connection was down for 36 hours, said he had been expecting "a much more significant compensation".
The 28-year-old resorted to using his mobile data connection during the outage. "I think customers would have been happier to get broadband or mobile data bills waived, at least for that period of time," he said.
Writing on The Straits Times' Facebook page, Mr Wee Kheng Leong said the compensation had "no loss on SingTel's side and little real gains on the user's side".
Meanwhile, StarHub, whose fibre broadband, cable TV and voice customers were affected, said it was working towards full restoration of services. Some 500 fibre broadband customers still faced issues, it said on Monday.
M1 revealed that around 300 of its fibre broadband customers were still affected. Both telcos added that they were working on details of compensation.
In a statement on Monday, the Infocomm Development Authority said it has urged all operators to cooperate and step up efforts "urgently" to restore all remaining connections, adding that it was monitoring the situation "closely".
Last Wednesday's fire at SingTel's Bukit Panjang Internet Exchange building also affected banks, Singapore Pools, ATMs, AXS machines and even retrieval of polyclinic patient records - all of which have been restored.
As for compensation to business customers, SingTel's Mr Yuen said it will be reaching out to them separately "to better appreciate how they were affected and to address their needs".
derrickh@sph.com.sg
Additional reporting by Rachel Au-Yong
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, October 17, 2013
SingTel to compensate 60,000 customers hit by service disruption
SingTel to compensate 60,000 customers hit by service disruption
By Vimita Mohandas
POSTED: 14 Oct 2013 16:15
UPDATED: 14 Oct 2013 23:17
SingTel has announced a compensation package for its 60,000 customers hit by service disruption after a fire broke out at its Bukit Panjang facility last Wednesday.
SINGAPORE: SingTel has announced a compensation package for its 60,000 residential customers hit by service disruption after a fire broke out at its Bukit Panjang facility last Wednesday.
It will be reaching out to business customers individually to work out compensation packages.
SingTel's broadband customers who were affected will get a three-month free speed boost.
For example, if they have been having 100 mbps fibre services, they would get a free upgrade to 200 mbps for the next three months.
mio TV subscribers will get a month's free viewing of all channels.
And subscribers of fixed voice services will get one month of free local calls.
Even though SingTel said repair works on damaged cables have been completed, other telcos like M1 and StarHub said their customers are still facing fibre broadband problems.
Two-thirds of the fibre-optic cables damaged in Wednesday's fire belong to OpenNet, which in turn sold fibre links to the affected telcos.
M1 said an estimated 300 fibre customers are still affected.
StarHub said about 500 of its fibre broadband customers are facing issues with their service as at 4pm on Monday, and it is working hard with OpenNet and SingTel to rectify connections that are still not properly reconnected.
SingTel said it hopes to work more closely with the Internet Service Providers to rectify the problems and stressed that it needed timely information in order to take action.
Yuen Kuan Moon, chief executive officer of Consumer Singapore at SingTel, said: "If the servers belong to SingTel, obviously SingTel can see those equipment, maintain those equipment and monitor those equipment and know whether it is working or not.
"For other service providers, we would rely on them to come back and tell us…if they don't tell us we would not be able to see, because we have no access to their equipment and we have no visibility of their end-user customer."
Since the fire, concerns have also been raised about the resilience of the network and back-up plans should similar incidents happen.
SingTel has stressed that it has a robust system in place which is in line with international standards, and its infrastructure is similar to developed markets like US, Japan and UK.
Last Wednesday, one of the three fibre chambers in SingTel’s Bukit Panjang facility caught fire, and traffic was diverted to the two unaffected chambers -- which helped restore 95 per cent of services within 36 hours.
SingTel plans to learn from this incident and further enhance its network.
Mr Yuen said: “We will be looking at better, more improved fire suppression capabilities at the chambers, fire detection capabilities as well as the spares of fibres that we carry within the three pipes.
“But for now, the telco's main focus is to identify affected customers and help troubleshoot their problems.”
- CNA/xq/nd
- wong chee tat :)
By Vimita Mohandas
POSTED: 14 Oct 2013 16:15
UPDATED: 14 Oct 2013 23:17
SingTel has announced a compensation package for its 60,000 customers hit by service disruption after a fire broke out at its Bukit Panjang facility last Wednesday.
SINGAPORE: SingTel has announced a compensation package for its 60,000 residential customers hit by service disruption after a fire broke out at its Bukit Panjang facility last Wednesday.
It will be reaching out to business customers individually to work out compensation packages.
SingTel's broadband customers who were affected will get a three-month free speed boost.
For example, if they have been having 100 mbps fibre services, they would get a free upgrade to 200 mbps for the next three months.
mio TV subscribers will get a month's free viewing of all channels.
And subscribers of fixed voice services will get one month of free local calls.
Even though SingTel said repair works on damaged cables have been completed, other telcos like M1 and StarHub said their customers are still facing fibre broadband problems.
Two-thirds of the fibre-optic cables damaged in Wednesday's fire belong to OpenNet, which in turn sold fibre links to the affected telcos.
M1 said an estimated 300 fibre customers are still affected.
StarHub said about 500 of its fibre broadband customers are facing issues with their service as at 4pm on Monday, and it is working hard with OpenNet and SingTel to rectify connections that are still not properly reconnected.
SingTel said it hopes to work more closely with the Internet Service Providers to rectify the problems and stressed that it needed timely information in order to take action.
Yuen Kuan Moon, chief executive officer of Consumer Singapore at SingTel, said: "If the servers belong to SingTel, obviously SingTel can see those equipment, maintain those equipment and monitor those equipment and know whether it is working or not.
"For other service providers, we would rely on them to come back and tell us…if they don't tell us we would not be able to see, because we have no access to their equipment and we have no visibility of their end-user customer."
Since the fire, concerns have also been raised about the resilience of the network and back-up plans should similar incidents happen.
SingTel has stressed that it has a robust system in place which is in line with international standards, and its infrastructure is similar to developed markets like US, Japan and UK.
Last Wednesday, one of the three fibre chambers in SingTel’s Bukit Panjang facility caught fire, and traffic was diverted to the two unaffected chambers -- which helped restore 95 per cent of services within 36 hours.
SingTel plans to learn from this incident and further enhance its network.
Mr Yuen said: “We will be looking at better, more improved fire suppression capabilities at the chambers, fire detection capabilities as well as the spares of fibres that we carry within the three pipes.
“But for now, the telco's main focus is to identify affected customers and help troubleshoot their problems.”
- CNA/xq/nd
- wong chee tat :)
Former law prof Tey Tsun Hang's appeal hearing to continue despite his absence
Former law prof Tey Tsun Hang's appeal hearing to continue despite his absence
By Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 11:47
UPDATED: 16 Oct 2013 20:21
Former law professor Tey Tsun Hang did not show up for an appeal against his conviction for corruption which was slated to start on Wednesday.
SINGAPORE: Former law professor Tey Tsun Hang did not show up for an appeal against his conviction for corruption which was slated to start on Wednesday.
However, High Court judge Woo Bih Li decided to continue with the proceedings in his absence following a short stand down.
Mr Tey's lawyer, Peter Low, told the court on Wednesday morning that he was caught by surprise when his client did not show up. He was only informed shortly before 10am that Mr Tey was in Kuala Lumpur with his parents.
Mr Low also said he had no indication that Mr Tey, 42, would not be attending the appeal, adding that his client had always attended all proceedings in the past, including criminal motions.
He said his client had instructed him to proceed with the appeal.
On his part, Deputy Public Prosecutor Andre Jumabhoy said the court has the discretion to decide whether the appeal should be allowed to continue.
"Given the involvement the appellant has had in this appeal, his absence is worrying," Mr Jumabhoy had told the court.
But Judge Woo allowed the appeal to proceed.
He said before standing down the court, "I wonder what's the rationale for dismissing the appeal if the appellant isn't here but his counsel is, and he has instructions to proceed with the appeal."
"I wonder why the absence of good reasons should indicate why the court should dismiss the appeal," the judge said.
And noting that court dates were set according to Mr Tey's request, the judge added: "One would have thought he's the one most interested in the outcome."
Mr Tey became a free man earlier this month, after serving a five-month jail term for six counts of corruption obtaining gifts and sex from former student Darinne Ko.
Part of his sentence was served on home detention.
In court on Wednesday, Mr Low argued that Mr Tey and Ms Ko were in a mutually-loving relationship, and this was the context in which the gifts were given.
He pointed to two cards that Ms Ko wrote to the former law professor, in which she articulated her feelings for him.
"My point is that their relationship was not one-sided... if you look at the cards, it was not one sided.," he said, adding that there was "reasonable doubt" whether the gifts were given by Ms Ko and accepted by Mr Tey with the expectation of favour being shown on the part of the former law professor.
Mr Low also took the court through several instances where Mr Tey said he had been threatened and "badgered" by officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) during investigations.
"He was in a fragile state of mind...and they took advantage of his physical and mental condition, and coerced him into agreeing to statements," said Mr Low.
The hearing continues on Thursday.
- CNA/fa/gn
- wong chee tat :)
By Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 11:47
UPDATED: 16 Oct 2013 20:21
Former law professor Tey Tsun Hang did not show up for an appeal against his conviction for corruption which was slated to start on Wednesday.
SINGAPORE: Former law professor Tey Tsun Hang did not show up for an appeal against his conviction for corruption which was slated to start on Wednesday.
However, High Court judge Woo Bih Li decided to continue with the proceedings in his absence following a short stand down.
Mr Tey's lawyer, Peter Low, told the court on Wednesday morning that he was caught by surprise when his client did not show up. He was only informed shortly before 10am that Mr Tey was in Kuala Lumpur with his parents.
Mr Low also said he had no indication that Mr Tey, 42, would not be attending the appeal, adding that his client had always attended all proceedings in the past, including criminal motions.
He said his client had instructed him to proceed with the appeal.
On his part, Deputy Public Prosecutor Andre Jumabhoy said the court has the discretion to decide whether the appeal should be allowed to continue.
"Given the involvement the appellant has had in this appeal, his absence is worrying," Mr Jumabhoy had told the court.
But Judge Woo allowed the appeal to proceed.
He said before standing down the court, "I wonder what's the rationale for dismissing the appeal if the appellant isn't here but his counsel is, and he has instructions to proceed with the appeal."
"I wonder why the absence of good reasons should indicate why the court should dismiss the appeal," the judge said.
And noting that court dates were set according to Mr Tey's request, the judge added: "One would have thought he's the one most interested in the outcome."
Mr Tey became a free man earlier this month, after serving a five-month jail term for six counts of corruption obtaining gifts and sex from former student Darinne Ko.
Part of his sentence was served on home detention.
In court on Wednesday, Mr Low argued that Mr Tey and Ms Ko were in a mutually-loving relationship, and this was the context in which the gifts were given.
He pointed to two cards that Ms Ko wrote to the former law professor, in which she articulated her feelings for him.
"My point is that their relationship was not one-sided... if you look at the cards, it was not one sided.," he said, adding that there was "reasonable doubt" whether the gifts were given by Ms Ko and accepted by Mr Tey with the expectation of favour being shown on the part of the former law professor.
Mr Low also took the court through several instances where Mr Tey said he had been threatened and "badgered" by officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) during investigations.
"He was in a fragile state of mind...and they took advantage of his physical and mental condition, and coerced him into agreeing to statements," said Mr Low.
The hearing continues on Thursday.
- CNA/fa/gn
- wong chee tat :)
M1's 3G service disruption caused by network upgrade
M1's 3G service disruption caused by network upgrade
By Monica Kotwani
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 15:26
Telco M1 said some of its mobile customers in parts of Singapore were affected after it experienced intermittent connectivity issues early Wednesday morning following a scheduled network upgrade.
SINGAPORE: Telco M1 said some of its mobile customers in parts of Ang Mo Kio, Yishun and Woodlands were affected after it experienced intermittent connectivity issues early Wednesday morning following a scheduled network upgrade.
The telco said full service was resumed by 9.15am, some three hours after the disruption began.
It said a radio network controller was affected.
Many affected subscribers took to social media to express their frustrations.
Some complained of network outage in places like Bukit Panjang and Hougang.
Others subscribers said their mobile phones were latching on to Malaysia's Celcom network instead.
Two affected subscribers told Channel NewsAsia the issues started as early as 2.30am and that they could not make calls, send text messages or get internet data access.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Monica Kotwani
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 15:26
Telco M1 said some of its mobile customers in parts of Singapore were affected after it experienced intermittent connectivity issues early Wednesday morning following a scheduled network upgrade.
SINGAPORE: Telco M1 said some of its mobile customers in parts of Ang Mo Kio, Yishun and Woodlands were affected after it experienced intermittent connectivity issues early Wednesday morning following a scheduled network upgrade.
The telco said full service was resumed by 9.15am, some three hours after the disruption began.
It said a radio network controller was affected.
Many affected subscribers took to social media to express their frustrations.
Some complained of network outage in places like Bukit Panjang and Hougang.
Others subscribers said their mobile phones were latching on to Malaysia's Celcom network instead.
Two affected subscribers told Channel NewsAsia the issues started as early as 2.30am and that they could not make calls, send text messages or get internet data access.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
DBS/POSB banking services disrupted by "system connectivity issue"
DBS/POSB banking services disrupted by "system connectivity issue"
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 15:34
Several DBS and POSB ATMs in various parts of Singapore were hit by outage on Wednesday. There were also users who reported to TODAY that they were unable to make payments via NETS or using their DBS credit cards.
SINGAPORE: Several DBS and POSB ATMs in various parts of Singapore were hit by outage on Wednesday.
There were also users who reported to TODAY that they were unable to make payments via NETS or using their DBS credit cards.
One reader reported intermittent service at certain ATMs, which would read "not in service" before functioning normally five minutes later.
Online comments, including those on the bank's Facebook page, said the bank's ATMs were out of service and that its online banking services were down.
DBS Bank said a system connectivity issue caused intermittent disruption to some DBS/POSB banking services for about 30 minutes around noon.
Posting on its Facebook page, the bank said it took immediate steps to solve the problem and minimise service disruptions. It said all services were fully restored at about 12.30pm.
DBS, the largest bank in Southeast Asia, acquired POSB in November 1998. Customers of the two banks are able to use the ATMs of both DBS and POSB.
-TODAY/CNA/fa/ir
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 15:34
Several DBS and POSB ATMs in various parts of Singapore were hit by outage on Wednesday. There were also users who reported to TODAY that they were unable to make payments via NETS or using their DBS credit cards.
SINGAPORE: Several DBS and POSB ATMs in various parts of Singapore were hit by outage on Wednesday.
There were also users who reported to TODAY that they were unable to make payments via NETS or using their DBS credit cards.
One reader reported intermittent service at certain ATMs, which would read "not in service" before functioning normally five minutes later.
Online comments, including those on the bank's Facebook page, said the bank's ATMs were out of service and that its online banking services were down.
DBS Bank said a system connectivity issue caused intermittent disruption to some DBS/POSB banking services for about 30 minutes around noon.
Posting on its Facebook page, the bank said it took immediate steps to solve the problem and minimise service disruptions. It said all services were fully restored at about 12.30pm.
DBS, the largest bank in Southeast Asia, acquired POSB in November 1998. Customers of the two banks are able to use the ATMs of both DBS and POSB.
-TODAY/CNA/fa/ir
- wong chee tat :)
HDB builds more flats, records higher net deficit
HDB builds more flats, records higher net deficit
By Olivia Siong
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 17:11
UPDATED: 16 Oct 2013 23:15
More HDB flats were being built and HDB’s overall net deficit before taking into account the government grant has also increased in the financial year of 2012 and 2013, according to the board's annual report.
SINGAPORE: More Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats were being built in the last financial year compared to the previous year.
This is according to HDB's annual report released on Wednesday.
A total of 72,737 flats were being constructed in the last financial year (FY2012/ 2013), up from 56,938 units in the year before (FY2011/2012) -- a close to 30 per cent jump.
HDB's net deficit before taking into account the government grant in the last financial year, also increased close to 80 per cent.
The net deficit incurred was S$797 million, compared to S$443 million the year before.
HDB said the higher deficit is due mainly to higher deficit for the Home Ownership segment, which comprises mainly the loss on the sale of flats, disbursement of CPF housing grants and the net provision for foreseeable loss for flats under development.
HDB's ramped up building programme has been put into action in the last few years.
HDB's chief executive officer, Dr Cheong Koon Hean, said the ramped up supply has helped meet the needs of various groups of home buyers, and also gone some way to rebalance the supply and demand situation.
But she added the challenge ahead is to ensure the delivery of new flats, given the large volume and resources involved.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Sing Tien Foo, from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Real Estate, said one of the main reasons for the increase in HDB’s net deficit is the increase in supply of flats during the last two years.
"One of the main reasons is the increase in supply for the last two years. All these will actually be added to the costs. Both cost of construction, land costs, and also the housing grant given to the home owners,” Associate Professor Sing said.
HDB also launched more than 27,000 flats under the Build-To-Order (BTO) system in 2012 -- the largest supply in a year since the BTO system was introduced.
However, the number of flats sold, or the number of keys issued to buyers, in the last financial year, dipped to 10,533 units.
This is about 2,000 units fewer than the previous year.
Associate Professor Sing said: "Normally it takes about three to four years to complete the project. It will take longer for larger-scale projects.
“The bulk of the supply that we've seen in the last two years, will actually only come…into the market, over the next two to three years."
HDB also said given the ramped up supply and pressure put on the building industry, it must also ensure the timely delivery of flats without compromises on quality.
- CNA/nd
- wong chee tat :)
By Olivia Siong
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 17:11
UPDATED: 16 Oct 2013 23:15
More HDB flats were being built and HDB’s overall net deficit before taking into account the government grant has also increased in the financial year of 2012 and 2013, according to the board's annual report.
SINGAPORE: More Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats were being built in the last financial year compared to the previous year.
This is according to HDB's annual report released on Wednesday.
A total of 72,737 flats were being constructed in the last financial year (FY2012/ 2013), up from 56,938 units in the year before (FY2011/2012) -- a close to 30 per cent jump.
HDB's net deficit before taking into account the government grant in the last financial year, also increased close to 80 per cent.
The net deficit incurred was S$797 million, compared to S$443 million the year before.
HDB said the higher deficit is due mainly to higher deficit for the Home Ownership segment, which comprises mainly the loss on the sale of flats, disbursement of CPF housing grants and the net provision for foreseeable loss for flats under development.
HDB's ramped up building programme has been put into action in the last few years.
HDB's chief executive officer, Dr Cheong Koon Hean, said the ramped up supply has helped meet the needs of various groups of home buyers, and also gone some way to rebalance the supply and demand situation.
But she added the challenge ahead is to ensure the delivery of new flats, given the large volume and resources involved.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Sing Tien Foo, from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Real Estate, said one of the main reasons for the increase in HDB’s net deficit is the increase in supply of flats during the last two years.
"One of the main reasons is the increase in supply for the last two years. All these will actually be added to the costs. Both cost of construction, land costs, and also the housing grant given to the home owners,” Associate Professor Sing said.
HDB also launched more than 27,000 flats under the Build-To-Order (BTO) system in 2012 -- the largest supply in a year since the BTO system was introduced.
However, the number of flats sold, or the number of keys issued to buyers, in the last financial year, dipped to 10,533 units.
This is about 2,000 units fewer than the previous year.
Associate Professor Sing said: "Normally it takes about three to four years to complete the project. It will take longer for larger-scale projects.
“The bulk of the supply that we've seen in the last two years, will actually only come…into the market, over the next two to three years."
HDB also said given the ramped up supply and pressure put on the building industry, it must also ensure the timely delivery of flats without compromises on quality.
- CNA/nd
- wong chee tat :)
SingTel sets up COI to investigate fire
SingTel sets up COI to investigate fire
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 18:25
SingTel's Board of Directors has set up an independent Board Committee of Inquiry (BCOI) to investigate the cause of the fire at Bukit Panjang Exchange on 9 October.
SINGAPORE: SingTel's Board of Directors has set up an independent Board Committee of Inquiry (BCOI) to investigate the cause of the fire at Bukit Panjang Exchange on 9 October.
In a statement, it says the committee will consist of three independent SingTel board members, and "will use leading global experts to draw on international best practices".
It says the job of the committee, which reports to the Board of SingTel, will be to:
- investigate the facts and circumstances leading to the fire;
- review the effectiveness of the company's incident management and response, and recommend improvements;
- benchmark current network design and contingency processes against international best practices and standards; and
- recommend appropriate improvements to prevent future occurrences and to strengthen network resilience.
The committee will be chaired by Mr Bobby Chin Yoke Choong, a non-executive and independent director of SingTel and chairman of its Risk Committee.
Mr Chin was previously the managing partner of KPMG Singapore.
He will be supported by two other non-executive and independent directors: Mrs Fang Ai Lian and Mr Low Check Kian.
Mrs Fang is the chairman of SingTel's Audit Committee, and was previously managing partner and then chairman of Ernst & Young.
Mr Low is a member of SingTel's Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, and a founding partner of NewSmith Capital Partners LLP.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 18:25
SingTel's Board of Directors has set up an independent Board Committee of Inquiry (BCOI) to investigate the cause of the fire at Bukit Panjang Exchange on 9 October.
SINGAPORE: SingTel's Board of Directors has set up an independent Board Committee of Inquiry (BCOI) to investigate the cause of the fire at Bukit Panjang Exchange on 9 October.
In a statement, it says the committee will consist of three independent SingTel board members, and "will use leading global experts to draw on international best practices".
It says the job of the committee, which reports to the Board of SingTel, will be to:
- investigate the facts and circumstances leading to the fire;
- review the effectiveness of the company's incident management and response, and recommend improvements;
- benchmark current network design and contingency processes against international best practices and standards; and
- recommend appropriate improvements to prevent future occurrences and to strengthen network resilience.
The committee will be chaired by Mr Bobby Chin Yoke Choong, a non-executive and independent director of SingTel and chairman of its Risk Committee.
Mr Chin was previously the managing partner of KPMG Singapore.
He will be supported by two other non-executive and independent directors: Mrs Fang Ai Lian and Mr Low Check Kian.
Mrs Fang is the chairman of SingTel's Audit Committee, and was previously managing partner and then chairman of Ernst & Young.
Mr Low is a member of SingTel's Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee, and a founding partner of NewSmith Capital Partners LLP.
- CNA/ir
- wong chee tat :)
IDA urges telcos to focus on restoring all services
IDA urges telcos to focus on restoring all services
By Monica Kotwani
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 21:44
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has urged local telcos to work together to restore all services affected by SingTel's Bukit Panjang Exchange fire on October 9.
SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has urged local telcos to work together to restore all services affected by SingTel's Bukit Panjang Exchange fire on October 9.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, IDA said it had written to SingTel, StarHub and M1 to focus their efforts on identifying problems their end users may still be experiencing.
It said the telcos should resolve them immediately, rather than "issuing statements to assign blame, as this is neither helpful nor constructive".
The regulatory authority added it has started its own investigations to determine the cause and circumstances of the fire, which damaged fibre cable lines and caused disruptions to services islandwide.
IDA said the investigations would identify measures that need to be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.
It would also assess whether service providers have taken "all necessary action to restore the affected services as quickly as possible", and if current processes are effective in bringing about speedy service recovery.
Also on Wednesday, SingTel announced it has formed its own Board Committee of Inquiry to look into the Bukit Panjang Exchange fire.
It will consist of three independent SingTel board members, and use "leading global experts to draw on international best practices".
Meanwhile, M1 and StarHub provided an update on the number of their affected fibre broadband subscribers.
M1 said the number of affected customers is down to some 100, from 200 on Tuesday.
StarHub said "a small number" of its subscribers in Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands are still unable to access the Internet.
Both are working with OpenNet to restore services.
- CNA/gn
- wong chee tat :)
By Monica Kotwani
POSTED: 16 Oct 2013 21:44
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has urged local telcos to work together to restore all services affected by SingTel's Bukit Panjang Exchange fire on October 9.
SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has urged local telcos to work together to restore all services affected by SingTel's Bukit Panjang Exchange fire on October 9.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, IDA said it had written to SingTel, StarHub and M1 to focus their efforts on identifying problems their end users may still be experiencing.
It said the telcos should resolve them immediately, rather than "issuing statements to assign blame, as this is neither helpful nor constructive".
The regulatory authority added it has started its own investigations to determine the cause and circumstances of the fire, which damaged fibre cable lines and caused disruptions to services islandwide.
IDA said the investigations would identify measures that need to be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.
It would also assess whether service providers have taken "all necessary action to restore the affected services as quickly as possible", and if current processes are effective in bringing about speedy service recovery.
Also on Wednesday, SingTel announced it has formed its own Board Committee of Inquiry to look into the Bukit Panjang Exchange fire.
It will consist of three independent SingTel board members, and use "leading global experts to draw on international best practices".
Meanwhile, M1 and StarHub provided an update on the number of their affected fibre broadband subscribers.
M1 said the number of affected customers is down to some 100, from 200 on Tuesday.
StarHub said "a small number" of its subscribers in Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang and Woodlands are still unable to access the Internet.
Both are working with OpenNet to restore services.
- CNA/gn
- wong chee tat :)
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