Monday, August 30, 2010

Singapore's Next Gen Nationwide Broadband Network Launches

Singapore's Next Gen Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) officially began commercial operations.
Under the NBN structure established by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in 2008, the NetCo (OpenNet) is responsible for deploying fiber and maintaining the passive infrastructure while the OpCo (Nucleus Connect) is responsible for the active network and for delivering wholesale services to Retail Service Providers (RSPs). A structural separation is maintained to ensure an open next gen network.


OpenNet, Singapore's Optical Fibre Network Company, which is now offering commercial dark fibre leases, said that to date, the optical fibre cable rollout has already passed through 30% of households and non-residential buildings in Singapore. OpenNet is a joint venture between four partners -- Axia NetMedia (Axia), Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and SP Telecommunications (SPT).


Nucleus Connect, which is responsible for designing, building and operating the active portion of Singapore's NGNBN, announced the first five Retail Service Providers (RSPs) who will go live on the network: LGA, M1, Singtel, StarHub and SuperInternet. Nucleus Connect is installing GPON and Optical Ethernet equipment for the last mile connection. The company said businesses and home owners can look forward to pervasive, competitively priced, broadband speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Some of the initial services expected from these RSPs include ultra-speed Internet access, IPTV, HD video surveillance and HD digital signage applications.


"Today marks a historical moment not only for Nucleus Connect but also for Singapore's infocomm future as we transform Singapore into a global city, an intelligent nation," said Mr David Storrie, Chief Executive Officer of Nucleus Connect.



http://www.ida.gov.sghttp://www.nucleusconnect.com/

  • In September 2009, Nucleus Connect selected Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei Technologies as its primary vendors.


  • The government of Singapore has previously stated that it expects broadband rates of up to 1 Gbps to be offered to 95% of residences by December 2012