M1 (formerly: MobileOne)

[CityFarmer]

I read an article titled "New vision needed for pay-TV" in recent issue of The Edge Singapore. The focus is on the impact of over-the-top (OTT) on pay-TV service providers, namely Singtel and Starhub.

The impact is yet to be seen in Singapore, but it will come eventually. M1 does not go into pay-TV service business is a right decision. In one of AGM, shareholders are questioning the rational of not to go into pay-TV business. The reason given then was high capital cost involved, but the real reason probably is current pay-TV business model is obsoleting. The replacing business model with the new high speed broadband fiber network should be similar to OTT service which is popular elsewhere.

any comment?

[Greenrookie]

Shouldn't content cost be a bigger concern than infrastructure. Cost? Also, with the younger generation and foreign talents, I realized many are exploiting the loopholes of star hub or Singtel pay tv, they can get content free with various methods. perhaps the important money generator are the Coporate customers like hotels etc. agree that the pay tv model might be obsolete soon

[specuvestor]

^^ the pay TV fear has been discussed in Starhub analysis for quite some time since the start of IPTV and Mio. But the evidence seemed to suggest that pay TV customers are quite sticky.

[CityFarmer]

^^ the pay TV fear has been discussed in Starhub analysis for quite some time since the start of IPTV and Mio. But the evidence seemed to suggest that pay TV customers are quite sticky.

One of the reason for slow pick-up of OTT in Singapore is slower connection speed. With the new fiber broadband's faster yet cheaper speed, situation may change.

With the 4G technology, the OTT may even get popular on mobile platform

(vested)

[CityFarmer]

I saw MyRepublic advert in ST today. So far MyRepublic's only advertised in TODAY, the first time in ST as far as i know.

MyRepublic will never able to compete with Starhub, Singtel and M1 on fiber broadband service. A simple bundled with mobile service will kill MyRepublic.

At the moment, fiber broadband service from mobile operators are bundled with mobile data service.

[CityFarmer]

Dec 2012 update of Telecom Statistic from IDA website

http://www.ida.gov.sg/Infocomm-Landscape...J4Aq4fCl0g

From Jan 2012 - Dec 2012:

Fiber subscriptions : +175.0K (to 279.1K)
Cable + xDSL subscriptions : -129.0K (to 1081.5K)
Diff : 40.5K

[CityFarmer]

The latest update of analysts rating of M1, which are all bullish.

DJ M1 Raised To Buy Vs Neutral, Target To S$3.05 Vs S$2.70 - Citi

DJ M1 Target Raised To S$2.92 From S$2.64 By Daiwa

[CityFarmer]

A following-up on the OTT service in Singapore. MediaCorp's Toogle service is one example of OTT service offered. Interesting to observe its progress...

There is one article on Toogle in the latest The Edge.

IMO, the multi-platform i.e. PC, Mobile, Tablet and Smart TV are ready for OTT. PC/Smart TV are equipped with 100 Mbps Fiber BB, Tablets and Mobile are readied with 4G.

SingTel and Starhub's pay-TV will have hard time with the OTT. Will M1 benefit from the OTT? Should put up the question on the up-coming AGM...

[CityFarmer]

Jan 2013 update of Telecom Statistic from IDA website

http://www.ida.gov.sg/Infocomm-Landscape...n-Jun.aspx

In Jan 2013:

The fiber subscribers monthly increment exceeded 20K, i.e. 22K in Jan 2013, a good start of year 2013. Total fiber subscribers is 301K in Jan 2013, cross over the 300K mark. The adaption is accelerating...

[CityFarmer]

The share price moved up by +1.7% today, to $2.98

Not sure the reason of sudden interest on the company, might be due to optimistic view on telecom stocks. Starhub and Singtel share prices also moved up quite a bit today.

Hope it will cross the $3 mark soon