Competition in telco market set for a boost ST Headline 24.4.14

[chialc88]

Competition in telco market set for a boost - ST Headline

IDA wants to woo more operators here and offer more airwaves.

Yesterday, IDA launched a public consultation to seek the industry's views on how the new regulations could entice more MVNOs (Mobile virtual network operator).

Todate there are 6 MVNOs (eg. PLDT-M1)

New airwave band may open market to China telcos.

Chinese tourists in SGP could use their made-for-china 4G handsets, which currently do not work here due to different technology standards.

Love Compassion


A Life not Reflected is a Life not Worth Living.

[opmi]

Ya. IDA too kind to the 3 telcos for too long already.
How to be market responsive when it is oligopoly. Benefits
no one (esp their common shareholders) to be the first to rock the boat.

[Freenasi]

I feel the 3 existing telcos do not compete enough. When one change the package, the others will sooner or later follow. Like the recent reduction of data from 50GB to 2 GB. Yes, true that they are losing revenue from IDD and SMS/MMS, but was drastic reduction justified? I just feel the consumers are being short-changed. And I wonder if the fourth will make any difference.

[opmi]

I feel the 3 existing telcos do not compete enough. When one change the package, the others will sooner or later follow. Like the recent reduction of data from 50GB to 2 GB. Yes, true that they are losing revenue from IDD and SMS/MMS, but was drastic reduction justified? I just feel the consumers are being short-changed. And I wonder if the fourth will make any difference.

The market regulator should stand in the side of consumers, coz the telcos has tons of resources. To level the playing field. So how, I feel that SG regulators are pro-business, sometimes to the extent of por-business. (por - curry favour)

[CityFarmer]

I feel the 3 existing telcos do not compete enough. When one change the package, the others will sooner or later follow. Like the recent reduction of data from 50GB to 2 GB. Yes, true that they are losing revenue from IDD and SMS/MMS, but was drastic reduction justified? I just feel the consumers are being short-changed. And I wonder if the fourth will make any difference.

The market regulator should stand in the side of consumers, coz the telcos has tons of resources. To level the playing field. So how, I feel that SG regulators are pro-business, sometimes to the extent of por-business. (por - curry favour)

It seems the same argument as on PTOs. Why let the operators earning "huge" profit, while consumers are suffering? Will the same suggestion emerge as on PTOs, to nationalize all the telcos?

I end this post with the following news

(vested in M1 only)

Hot stocks: Singapore telco stocks unrattled by keener rivalry in mobile space
23 Apr 2014 09:56
TELCO stocks were largely unchanged on Wednesday, a day after the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) said it wanted to inject more competition into the mobile market.

At 9.30 am, SingTel was down one cent at S$3.72 a share. StarHub was down one cent at S$4.15, and M1 was unchanged at S$3.32.

IDA launched a public consultation on Tuesday to seek the industry's views on how more mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) could be attracted to operate in Singapore.

Instead of building physical mobile networks, MVNOs buy airtime in bulk from existing telcos and resell them to consumers. There are now about five or six active MVNOs in Singapore, with a market share of under one per cent of the country's total mobile subscriber base. They serve mostly foreigners or migrants.

An April 10 report by Research and Markets noted that the Singapore telco market is one of the most mature in the Asia Pacific region. However, it also expects strong revenue growth due to Singapore's appetite for broadband services, especially mobile data.

"IDA wants to inject more competition in the mobile market, which could lead to lower prices and more innovative services. Niche markets could also be better served," an IDA spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

M1 said it was "supportive" of MVNOs. It is selling airtime wholesale to two already.

StarHub, on the other hand, noted: "The Singapore mobile market is already very competitive, with one of the world's highest mobile penetration rates."

Source: Business Times Breaking News

[Contrarian]

> To level the playing field. So how, I feel that SG regulators are pro-business, sometimes to the extent of por-business. (por - curry
> favour)

From Telcos to Train/Bus to Taxis - all same. End up all such poor service.

If you go shanghai, you can see the signalling of train coming by the seconds. Can have 1 card for taxi, bus, train. In HK, the trains come 1 min from each other during peaks.

Now the grabtaxi application throw comfort taxi business into defensive. The call pick up rate at comfort taxis drop significantly.

PAP firm belief is that listing encourages efficiency. The truth is that listing of utility services generates more returns than raise service standards.

TIme to wake up... GLCs!!!

[brattzz]

most important is who is the substantial shareholder being all these TELCOS.... answer is quite obvious!

[CityFarmer]

From Telcos to Train/Bus to Taxis - all same. End up all such poor service.

If you go shanghai, you can see the signalling of train coming by the seconds. Can have 1 card for taxi, bus, train. In HK, the trains come 1 min from each other during peaks.

Now the grabtaxi application throw comfort taxi business into defensive. The call pick up rate at comfort taxis drop significantly.

PAP firm belief is that listing encourages efficiency. The truth is that listing of utility services generates more returns than raise service standards.

TIme to wake up... GLCs!!!

It is not uncommon to see several buses with same number, arrive at the same time at the bustop. Train service disruption is a new common now. Taxi service is the worst.

But I am quite sure on telecom service. Telecom service here seems not too bad, comparing with counterparts in the region.