Phone Lines
Singapore's telecommunications network consists of a modern push-button network. It has 29 telephone exchanges that are all linked by optic fiber. In addition, the system is completely digitalized which enables a broader range of services to be offered.
In Singapore, there are 1.31 Direct Exchange Lines (DELs) which means there are about 365 phone lines per 1,000 people in Singapore and 1,110,000 telephones in use. In comparison, there are 461 phone lines per 1000 in Japan and 448 per 1000 in Hong Kong and 552 per 1000 in the U.S.(1)
In despite of the fact that Singapore emphasizes the use of IT, parts of the infrastructure are a ways off from becoming ideal. For example, it could take up to fifteen years to upgrade the phone lines to accommodate broad-band telecommunications.(2)
Singapore Telecom has recently been working on a program with the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore in order to provide a complete island network of fiber optic cables that will connect government subsidized housing and commercial building by the year 20005. This network will allow citizens to communicate by way of sound and video at the same time.
Submarine Cables
In 1993 Singapore Telecom completed the first step of SEA-ME-WEII, which will link Singapore to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe through fiber optics. 1,040 kilometers were laid which linked Singapore to Jakarta, Indonesia. When completed, the project will connect Singapore to Marseilles, France, over 18,000 km, at a cost of US$750,000 million. This will be the longest optical fiber submarine cable ever laid and will increase Singapore's ability to communicate with Europe.
High Speed Lines and Services
Singapore is very competitive with world leaders in terms of telecommunications. Its telecommunications infrastructure includes a fully digital network, the world's first 100% ISDN availability, the world's highest urban concentration of optical fiber, one of the lowest telecommunications charges in the world, and a target date of 2005 for Optical-Fiber-To-The-Home.(3)
Cellular Systems
In March of 1994 there were approximately 179,000 mobile phone subscribers in Singapore which translates into 6.3 subscribers per 100 people. This is only second to the United States and a figure that may reach 10% to 12% by the year 2000.(4) In Singapore, mobile phone services are supported by two analogue cellular telephone systems and a third digital cellular telephone system which was introduced last year. In 1992 Callzone, a public wireless telephone service, was introduced and has nearly 50,000 subscribers.
Current revenue from the cellular mobile phone market is approximately S$300 million each year. This number includes such services as subscription fees, traffic charges, and sales of terminal equipment. Mobile phone service is expected to be one of the fastest growing segments of the telecommunications industry over the next ten years.
In Singapore there are 784,000 paging subscribers which translates into 26.8 per 100 people and is the highest ratio in the world.
Satellite Systems and Earth Stations
Singapore has two INTELSAT earth stations, one in the Indian Ocean and the other in the Pacific Ocean, and a third station which was recently put into place in 1995.(5)
Private networks
Singapore Telecom was recently privatized and will continue to maintain its monopoly on fixed voice services until 2007, and on mobile communications until 1997.
There are eight telecommunications companies in Singapore which employ approximately 8,000 people. The total value added is S$1 billion with the amount of value added per worker at S$133,000. In 1993 the total telecommunications output was S$2.5 billion with a growth rate of 79% from 1992. The major companies in the telecommunications market in Singapore include AT&T, Goldtron, Motorola, and PCI. The main products of these companies include pagers, cordless phones, communication antennas, navigation products, two-way radios, and cellular phones. Activities that these competitors are involved in include research and development, manufacturing engineering, product design and development, and marketing and distribution. In 1992, the Centre for Wireless Communications (CWC) was founded in order to get involved in joint research and development projects within the industry, developing core technologies, training manpower, and act as a vehicle for technology transfer in all areas of wireless communications.(6) Current projects include the development of miniature spread spectrum systems, personal communications systems with Motorola, and digital cellular mobile radio with Singapore Telecom.
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Privatization and Deregulation
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