Singapore, 2 October 2003 - StarHub, Singapore's leading info-communication provider, today announced that the company has appointed Nokia as its 3G network vendor in Singapore. The award follows a rigorous evaluation and negotiation process, involving a number of equipment vendors. Details regarding the agreement will be announced in mid-October 2003.

 

"We congratulate Nokia for having demonstrated that their overall solution is the best choice for StarHub," said Mr Chan Kin Hung, Senior Vice President of StarHub Mobile.

 

"Nokia as a leading supplier of 3G equipment, is very pleased to continue its good relationship with StarHub towards the development of its 3G network as technology partner of choice," said Mr James Lin, Vice President & General Manager, Nokia Networks Asia Pacific.

 

StarHub actually began its 3G network rollout early this year through the acquisition and preparation of transmission sites for its 3G base stations.

 

"We have made excellent progress so far by preparing over 66 percent of the base station transmitter sites required for the 2004 rollout target. This means that we will be able to quickly install the 3G equipment for testing and preparing for the network launch. Therefore, we are on schedule to roll out our 3G network by the end of 2004, in accordance with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore’s requirements," added Mr Chan.

 

StarHub chose to select its 3G equipment vendor as close to the launch date as possible. This has allowed StarHub to obtain terms and prices in step with the current market. Also, the mobile industry players worldwide have learned much about 3G technologies and the related market demand over the course of the past two years.

 

StarHub’s rollout strategy now includes better knowledge of the technology’s capabilities, as well as where the likely market demand will come from. The combination of competitive equipment pricing, flexible terms, and a demand lead expansion plan, should allow StarHub to build an efficient 3G extension to its 2G infrastructure. Over a five-year period, depending on market demand for 3G services, StarHub expects to spend as much as S$200 million on its 3G investment.

 

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