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 HERBOLD