All buildings must facilitate laying of NGNBN cables: IDA

All buildings must facilitate laying of NGNBN cables: IDA
By Satish Cheney

SINGAPORE: Good news for Singaporeans living in private apartments and condos who have been waiting to get high-speed fibre broadband in their homes.

The InfoComm Development Authority (IDA) said all buildings, including condos and private apartments must facilitate the process of laying New Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) fibre-optics cable.

Also, condos and private apartments who want the fibre-optic cables should bear the cost for providing certain facilities such as cable distribution systems and lead-in pipes, among others, if they are already not present.

IDA said this issue has been spelled out in the Telecommunications Act and relevant Code of Practices since 2000.

The clarification followed reports earlier this month that nine in 10 condo and private apartment management committees have rejected the free offer to lay the cables for mainly aesthetic reasons.

Many wanted the cables concealed within walls or false ceilings but such work requires the hacking of walls.

Both OpenNet, the consortium appointed to lay the cables, and the management committees are not prepared to pay the cost.

IDA has also issued OpenNet a letter, which they can bring to building owners, that clarifies the issue.

IDA added that it can determine the outcome of disagreements between developers or building owners and telecom licensees.

Meanwhile, re-engagement efforts by OpenNet, is bringing in some encouraging result.

An average of more than three out of the nine who earlier rejected the offer to lay the cables have now agreed for the lines to be laid.


-CNA/fa

- wong chee tat :)