Telstra lands infrastructure license in Singapore
SINGAPORE--Australia-headquartered Telstra can now operate its own telecommunications infrastructure in Singapore after it received a facilities-based operator (FBO) license from the country's local regulator.
In a statement Thursday, Telstra said it was awarded an FBO license by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), allowing it to own and operate telecommunications infrastructure such as voice and data networks, systems and facilities in the city-state.
Running its wholly-owned infrastructure here will provide Telstra greater control over customer experience and network architecture to ensure optimal performance, multilevel resiliency and reliability, the company said. The license also allows Telstra to build a local backbone to support its plans for new cable submarine capacity to Singapore, the telco added.
Richard Duggan, head of south Asia for Telstra International, said Singapore is a crucial component of Telstra's growth plans in Asia and an important hub in the international business scene. "Receiving the Singapore FBO License will help us meet our customers' evolving needs and offer greater flexibility in the markets they are operating in, and equally in the new markets they are planning for.
"For multinational customers based here or those looking to expand into the region, local support for their IT and communication requirements is critical," said Duggan. "With Telstra as their single network and services partner, customers can have visibility of the services they have commissioned, with greater cost efficiencies and comprehensive local service support when required."
According to IDA's Web site, the government agency has awarded over 40 FBO licenses to various companies.