Singapore's Nationwide Next Generation National Broadband Network Deployment On Track

4 May 2009 - The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today announced the successful achievement of the Contractual and Financial Close (CFC) by OpenNet, Singapore's Next Generation National Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) Network Company (NetCo). OpenNet has been issued a Facilities-Based Operator Licence for it to commence the roll out of the Next Gen NBN.

OpenNet Achieves its Contractual and Financial Close and IDA Signs Contract With Nucleus Connect

Singapore, 4 May 2009 | For Immediate Release

OpenNet and Nucleus Connect are ready to deploy Singapore's all new fibre-based Next Gen NBN.

From left, Ms Khoo Ai Lin, OpenNet Finance Director, RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO, Ms Yong Ying-I, IDA Chairman and Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today announced the successful achievement of the Contractual and Financial Close (CFC) by OpenNet, Singapore's Next Generation National Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) Network Company (NetCo). OpenNet has been issued a Facilities-Based Operator Licence for it to commence the roll out of the Next Gen NBN ¹.

As part of OpenNet's CFC, IDA has also approved its implementation plan of the Asset Company (AssetCo) which will be established as a business trust within 24 months of OpenNet's CFC. The AssetCo, as proposed by OpenNet in its NetCo Request-for-Proposal (RFP) submission, will own and control the relevant underlying passive infrastructure assets that are used to support OpenNet's deployment. These underlying assets, which include central offices, ducts and manholes, will be transferred from SingTel to AssetCo. By leveraging existing underlying assets, OpenNet will be able to achieve a speedy deployment with minimal disruption when civil works begin later this year.

SingTel will be required to reduce its unit holdings in the AssetCo to less than 25 per cent within 60 months of OpenNet's CFC, subject to SingTel obtaining relevant approvals. The management and operations of AssetCo will be undertaken by a neutral Trustee-Manager, which will
be an FBO licensee.

IDA today also signed the Next Gen NBN Operating Company (OpCo) contract with Nucleus Connect. As the OpCo of the Next Gen NBN, Nucleus Connect will be working with OpenNet, on a joint roll out plan towards achieving 60 per cent coverage of all residential premises and non-residential buildings by end 2010, and 95 per cent of all residential premises and non-residential buildings by 2012.

ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

Note to Editor:

¹ The Next Gen National Broadband Network comprises three key industry layers, the Network Company (Next Gen NBN NetCo), the Operating Company (Next Gen NBN OpCo) and the Retail Service Providers (RSPs). The Next Gen NBN NetCo is responsible for the design, build and operation of the passive infrastructure layer. The Next Gen NBN Operating Company will be responsible for the design, build and operation of the active infrastructure to provide wholesale broadband connectivity to Retail Service Providers, the downstream operators.

Related Resources:

OpCo Signing Ceremony (If images are used, please attribute to IDA)
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OpenNet and Nucleus Connect are ready to deploy Singapore's all new fibre-based Next Gen NBN. From left, Ms Khoo Ai Lin, OpenNet Finance Director, RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO, Ms Yong Ying-I, IDA Chairman and Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO.	RADM (NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO, Ms Yong Ying-I, IDA Chairman and Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO at the signing of the Next Gen NBN OpCo contract. From left, RADM (NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO, Ms Yong Ying-I, IDA Chairman and Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO.
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IDA and Nucleus Connect enter into the Next Gen NBN OpCo contract on Monday, 4th May 2009. From left: Ms Yong Ying-I, IDA Chairman, RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO, Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO and Mr Terry Clontz, Nucleus Connect Director.	RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO and Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO at the signing of the Next Gen NBN OpCo contract. From left: Ms Yong Ying-I, IDA Chairman, RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, IDA CEO, Mr David Storrie, Nucleus Connect CEO and Mr Terry Clontz, Nucleus Connect Director.