SINGAPORE SEEKS COMMENTS ON SINGTEL'S CLOSURE OF LOCAL

UNCLAS SINGAPORE 000222

SIPDIS

STATE PASS TO AMBASSADOR GROSS
USTR FOR JMCHALE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ECON ETRD EINV SN
SUBJECT: SINGAPORE SEEKS COMMENTS ON SINGTEL'S CLOSURE OF LOCAL
EXCHANGES



1. The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) is seeking public
comments on its proposed approach to manage SingTel's
decommissioning of certain local exchanges. SingTel announced
plans in June 2006 to gradually consolidate its existing
exchanges, but it has not provided any details since then.
Under its Reference Interconnection Offer (RIO),SingTel is
required to offer other telecom licensees co-location spaces at
its exchanges for access to tower sites, points of
interconnection, and submarine cable landing stations.


2. IDA currently requires SingTel to give six months notice
prior to termination of a co-location license. U.S. and other
companies have voiced concerns that the lack of specific details
regarding SingTel's consolidation plans could adversely affect
their network rollout and investment plans.


3. IDA's proposed regulations include a requirement that
SingTel must submit proposed amendments to its RIO at least 18
months (instead of the current six months) prior to the
estimated date of decommissioning. SingTel would be required to
provide full justification if the notification period is less
than 18 months.


4. The closing date for submission of comments is February 26,

2007. The consultation paper and accompanying documents are
available at IDA's website: www.ida.gov.sg, under "Policies and
Regulations - Consultation Papers and Decisions." Comments
should be addressed to Mr. Andrew Haire, Assistant Director-
General (Telecoms),and may be submitted via one of the
following channels:

Email: Tan_Si_Ying@ida.gov.sg

Fax: (65) 6211-2116

Mail: Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
8 Temasek Boulevard
#14-00 Suntec Tower Three
Singapore 038988

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