Net Disruption Updates

An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan on the night of 26 December 2006. The quake's impact, which wreaked havoc on land, also shot deep into the ocean to rupture the cable systems that lay on the seabed. The cable systems provide telecommunications links among countries in the region, and from the region to the rest of the world.

Background

An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan on the night of 26 December 2006. The quake's impact, which wreaked havoc on land, also shot deep into the ocean to rupture the cable systems that lay on the seabed. The cable systems provide telecommunications links among countries in the region, and from the region to the rest of the world. Consequently, much of Asia's Internet connectivity slowed to a crawl on Wednesday 27 December. Since the night of the quake, operators, who are part of various consortia that own these cable systems, have been working round the clock to restore the affected systems. By Friday afternoon, 29 December, Internet connectivity in Singapore was largely back to normal.

29 December 2006 - Web Surfing in Singapore Largely Back to Normal

Singapore | For Immediate Release

Online surfing returned largely back to normal for Internet users in Singapore on Friday afternoon, after the Taiwan quake ruptured undersea data cables on Tuesday and caused a regional Web slowdown.

Operators in Singapore have been working round the clock since Tuesday to redirect cable traffic to ensure continuity for its business users and consumers.

Singapore telcos SingTel and StarHub have successfully re-routed Web traffic to the unaffected cable systems and have restored IDD services and Internet traffic to near normal speeds for popular activities like e-mailing, online transactions and Web browsing. However, users of bandwidth-intensive applications, such as online gaming and  video conferencing may still face delays.

Restoration works on the affected cable systems are under way.

---

JOINTLY ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISIONS OF THE
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND STARHUB

---

Previous Updates

• 28 December 2006 - Web Traffic Restoration Under Way

Singapore | For Immediate Release 

Internet traffic is progressively being restored, two days after the quake in Taiwan caused damage to undersea cables. Operators have worked round-the-clock to divert traffic to unaffected cable routes, while fixing their affected cable systems. This interim measure has helped to alleviate the disruption. For instance, Starhub has informed us that 80 per cent of their Internet bandwidth has been successfully diverted. We understand too that SingTel has activated a command centre to monitor and manage the situation.

The cable systems are being restored progressively, although full restoration may take as long as a few weeks. IDA seeks the public's continued understanding should they face slow connectivity.

Following the disruption, which continues to affect many regional countries, telcos have swiftly put in their resources and utmost effort to restore services to ensure business continuity for their customers.

Singapore, being a telecom hub, strives to ensure that communication links are always "on" through diverse offerings, such as alternate submarine cable systems and alternate communications systems such as satellites.

IDA will continue to monitor the current regional situation.

---

ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

---

• 27 December 2006 - Quake Disrupts Region's Internet Traffic

Singapore | For Immediate Release

IDA understands that the earthquake in Taiwan has affected undersea cables carrying international and Internet traffic in the region. This has caused disruptions and slow-down on Internet connections not only in Singapore but in places like Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and China.

In Singapore, the affected telecom operators are now working to resolve the disruptions, and are diverting affected traffic to other undersea cable routes not affected by the earthquake. This will allow for continued, albeit slower, Internet connectivity over the next few days. IDA is closely monitoring the situation and will work with the telcos to ensure that our telecommunications traffic will be restored to normal as quickly as possible, so as to minimise disruptions to businesses and consumers.

We seek the public's patience and understanding on this matter.

---

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

---

For media clarifications, please contact:

Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Mr Ho Ka Wei
Email: info@imda.gov.sg.

Singapore Telecommunications
Mr Chia Boon Chong
+65 9678 3716

StarHub
Mr Michael Sim
+ 65 9859 0241