SPTel, the network communications arm of the Singapore Power Group (SP), has announced OpticNet and SmartConnect – a suite of solutions aimed at meeting evolving connectivity and infrastructure needs.
SPTel, whose extensive fibre networks run alongside the SP’s nationwide power lines, will offer connectivity and enabling-technologies to telecommunications carriers, retail service providers, data centres and enterprises. It will also work with partners to build ecosystems around Next Generation technologies and solutions.
“SPTel offers its customer and partners a unique proposition. Not only do we own and manage an extremely pervasive fibre network, one that that runs alongside Singapore’s powerlines; we also combine the agility and flexibility of a start-up with the strong innovation capabilities backed by our parent company Singapore Power,” said SPTel Chief Executive Officer Poh Mui Hoon. “With growing demands for more extensive connectivity, more bandwidth, and greater business agility, SPTel is well-placed to deliver the competitive edge businesses need by being more flexible with the solutions we provide.”
SPTel’s customers include carriers such as China Telecom and HKT as well as enterprises such MediaCorp. Through its extensive OpticNet dark fibre network, SPTel also allows data centres to strengthen their offerings to their end-customers – enabling organisations from emerging InfoComm companies to e-commerce brands and entrepreneurs to be future- ready. Its SmartConnect service combines the power of Ethernet with Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) to optimise connectivity at more cost-efficient, secure and speedy connections – whether between people and businesses or between data centres and key interconnection hubs.
International Data Corporation (IDC) projects that by 2020, the digital universe will grow 10 times – from 4.4 trillion gigabytes to 44 trillion gigabytes – more than doubling every two years. Faster connectivity, stronger infrastructure, agile networks and the ability to connect intelligently, quickly and seamlessly with one another and with various devices will be key.
“InfoComm media are increasingly enabling social and economic transformation,”Ms Poh added. “Network innovation is gaining momentum, business applications are more data- intensive and require more bandwidth. And, with even more international companies using Singapore as a hub, data centres play an even larger role. With this comes added demand for connectivity, speed, diversity and reliability.”
To that end, SPTel claims it is on track to creating a data centre fibre fabric among the nation’s key data centres. To date, it has already linked significant data centres such as Keppel DigiHub, Equinix, Global Switch and Kingsland data.
SPTel will further strengthen its ecosystem around Next Generation technologies and solutions by providing customers with bundled services in partnership with providers in other industries.
In addition, SPTel will be providing fibre links to the Woodlands Causeway and the Tuas Second Link, adding to diversity with off-shore connections to Woodlands, Tuas and beyond.
“Cost competitiveness, agility and choice are key in building thriving InfoComm media industries,”said Asher Ling, Chief Operating Officer at Kingsland Data Center. “As our partner, SPTel fulfils all three attributes. And, in connecting Singapore’s key data centres and adding value by enabling them to be future-ready, SPTel has made Singapore even more attractive as a Digital Harbour, laying the groundwork for even more international organisations to use Singapore as a hub.”
Last year, Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Information launched its InfoComm Media 2025 plan which envisions a future in which InfoComm media enables social and economic transformation. With added demand for bandwidth, speed, diversity and reliability, SPTel is taking the lead to strengthen Singapore as a competitive regional InfoComm hub through its infrastructure capabilities and ongoing network innovation.