3 April 2009 - The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today announced the selection of StarHub's proposal for the Next Generation National Broadband Network Operating Company (Next Gen NBN OpCo) Request For Proposal. Under its proposal, StarHub will establish the Next Gen NBN OpCo, called Nucleus Connect, to design, build and operate the active infrastructure.
Singapore, 3 April 2009 | For Immediate Release
StarHub's Nucleus Connect Selected As Next Gen NBN OpCo
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) today announced the selection of StarHub's proposal for the Next Generation National Broadband Network Operating Company (Next Gen NBN OpCo) Request For Proposal. Under its proposal, StarHub will establish the Next Gen NBN OpCo, called Nucleus Connect, to design, build and operate the active infrastructure. The Government will provide a grant of up to $250 million to Nucleus Connect to support its deployment of this infrastructure. Together with the grant of up to $750 million for the Next Gen NBN Network Company1, OpenNet, the Government is investing up to a total of $1 billion to put in place the Next Gen NBN.
Nucleus Connect will deploy advanced technologies to support and enable a comprehensive range of ultra-high speed wholesale broadband services to Retail Service Providers, or RSPs, at competitive prices that will be regulated by IDA.
Nucleus Connect will, for example, offer a wholesale price of $21 per month for a 100 Mbps residential end-user connection and $121 for a 1Gbps connection. For non-residential premises, such as offices and schools, Nucleus Connect will offer a wholesale price of $75 per month for a 100 Mbps connection. Enterprise users who have more demanding requirements can opt for a 1Gbps connection at $860 per month.
Nucleus Connect will work together with OpenNet, on a coordinated nationwide rollout of the network. It is expected to start offering commercial services by the first half of 2010, and be ready to fulfil its Universal Service Obligations of meeting all reasonable requests for service from 2013.
The Next Gen NBN NetCo and OpCo RFPs were structured to ensure that downstream operators have Effective Open Access to the Next Gen NBN. This is to spur a vibrant and competitive Next Generation broadband market where businesses and consumers can enjoy innovative services from a variety of RSPs. Effective Open Access through structural separation for the Next Gen NBN NetCo and operational separation for the Next Gen NBN OpCo is key to achieving such a vision. Nucleus Connect will be operationally separated from all RSPs. It will also be a separate legal entity from StarHub, with a different corporate brand, separate premises and an independent board of directors. With such an industry structure, RSPs can obtain wholesale bandwidth services from Nucleus Connect on a fair and non-discriminatory basis, and offer a wide range of services at competitive prices to end-users.
StarHub's proposal was selected from four bids received for the Next Gen NBN OpCo Request for Proposal (RFP) on 5 Dec 2008. The four bids were from IntelliNet Consortium (Axia NetMedia Corporation & Cisco Systems International BV), MobileOne Ltd, Singapore Telecommunications Ltd and StarHub Ltd.
Ms Yong Ying-I, Chairman, IDA, said: "With this selection of the Next Gen NBN OpCo RFP proposal, we have achieved another major milestone in the Next Gen NBN project. The Next Gen NBN is a key national infocomm infrastructure that will enhance Singapore's competitiveness in a globalised and digital economy. It will spur the development of rich and innovative content, applications and services, and bring significant benefits to the various economic sectors such as finance, healthcare and education. All in Singapore can soon look forward to a richer broadband experience and a wide range of innovative broadband services at competitive prices, transforming the way we work, live, learn and interact. Indeed, the Next Gen NBN is a strategic enabler that will position Singapore well for the future."
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Note to Editor:
1 The Next Gen National Broadband Network comprises three key conceptual 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:
- Annex A: Structural Separation and Operational Separation (29.26KB)
- Annex B: Glossary (17.70KB)
- Briefing Slides (1.39MB)
Related Link:
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
HO Hwei Ling (Ms)
Deputy Director, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1996
Fax: +65 6211 2227
E-mail: ho_hwei_ling@imda.gov.sg
HO Ka Wei (Mr)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Fax: +65 6211 2227
E-mail: info@imda.gov.sg
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