SingTel Rides into Next Technological Frontier with Ethernet Wave

SingTel Rides into Next Technological Frontier with Ethernet Wave

August 30, 2006

New Service is Cost Effective and Delivers Superior Network Performance

    SINGAPORE, Aug. 30 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Singapore
Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) today announced the
availability of a new international Ethernet service for
its global corporate customers.  

    Called ConnectPlus Ethernet-VPN, this cost effective
and scalable solution offers customers any-to-any
connectivity between two or more countries.  It also comes
with the assurance of Class of Service (CoS) and Service
Level Guarantee (SLG).

    This new service, which runs on SingTel's
state-of-the-art MPLS* network, is ideal for customers who
are currently using international data wide-area networks
(WANs) but wish to retain control over their network
routing.  It is also suitable for those -- especially from
the banking and financial sectors -- who run applications
with non-Internet Protocol (IP) traffic because such
applications are difficult to be carried over an IP-VPN.  

    With the ubiquitous Ethernet interface, which typically
costs a fraction of the price of other network interfaces,
Ethernet-VPN customers can also expect cost savings.
 
    Mr Bill Chang, SingTel's Executive Vice President for
Business, said:  "Customers have been looking forward
to a service that helps to inject simplicity back into
their networks.  We can fulfill this demand with our new
service which can deliver improved efficiency and help grow
their business.
 
    "Ethernet-VPN is the next-generation technology
and is considered to be the next wave after IP.  SingTel's
market leadership position is further enhanced with the
introduction of this next-generation network service to our
customers.  Building on our strong capabilities in the VPN
market, our customers are assured of always being at the
forefront of technology."  

    "We will continue to introduce new services that
allow our customers to enjoy cost effective and superior
network and application performance," added Mr Chang.

    ConnectPlus Ethernet-VPN will be available immediately
between Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the
United Kingdom and United States.  The service offers a
bandwidth from 1Mb to 45Mb, with 1Mb increments.  Network
coverage will be enhanced over the next few months.  

    SingTel has been offering a domestic version of this
international Ethernet service since the beginning of this
year, called MetroEthernet any-to-any connectivity service.
   

     * MPLS or Multi-Protocol Label Switching technology is
an intelligent and scalable system that supports tens of
thousands of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) securely while
providing customers with the ability to prioritise traffic
through different classes of service.

    About SingTel

    SingTel is Asia's leading communications group with
operations and investments around the world.  Serving both
the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to
bringing the best of global communications to customers in
the Asia Pacific and beyond.  

    With significant operations in Singapore and Australia
(through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group
provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include
voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet
platforms.

    To serve the needs of multi-national corporations,
SingTel has a network of 37 offices in 19 countries and
territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United
States.  These offices enable SingTel to deliver reliable
and quality network solutions to its customers, either on
its own or jointly with local partners.

    The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh,
India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.  Together
with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia's largest
multi-market mobile operator, serving 92 million customers
in seven markets.

    SingTel employs about 20,000 people worldwide and had a
turnover of S$13.14 billion (US$8.12 billion) and net profit
after tax of S$4.16 billion (US$2.57 billion) for the year
ended 31 March 2006.  More information can be found @
http://www.singtel.com and http://www.optus.com.au .  

    For more information, please contact:

     Chia Boon Chong
     Deputy Director, Corporate Communications
     SingTel
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Singapore Telecommunications Limited