About Next Gen NBN NetCo, OpenNet

Milestones in NetCo Deployment

Pursuant to the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) Request-for-Proposal (RFP) process, the OpenNet Consortium, a private entity, was selected as the Next Gen NBN's NetCo on 26 September 2008. The OpenNet Consortium was led by Axia NetMedia Corporation, and included Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel), Singapore Press Holdings Ltd and SP Telecommunications Pte Ltd. As the Next Gen NBN NetCo, OpenNet will design, build and operate the passive infrastructure of the network. The Singapore Government will provide a grant of up to S$750 million to the NetCo in support of the network rollout.

For operating companies, OpenNet will offer attractive wholesale prices of S$15 per month for each residential fibre connection, and S$50 per month for each non-residential fibre connection. Such wholesale prices are expected to bring about competitive retail prices in the ultra-high speed broadband market. Under a Universal Service Obligation, which will take effect from 2013, OpenNet will be required to fulfill all subsequent requests to install connectivity to homes, offices and buildings.

OpenNet will own and deploy all the fibre optic cables, and offer wholesale dark fibre services to qualifying operators on a non-discriminatory basis. To facilitate the deployment of its fibre network, OpenNet will make use of the relevant and existing underlying passive infrastructure assets, such as ducts, manholes and exchanges that belong to its partner, SingTel. As part of OpenNet's proposal, SingTel is committed to transfer these underlying assets to a neutral party by April 2011. The neutral party, called the Asset Company or AssetCo, will be an independent and separately managed company.