SingTel eyes boosting WiFi access points from 400 to 1,000

Will this help it compete against the 4th telco?

Maybank reported that Singtel held its annual Investor Day last week. Two things stood out in all its presentations. One, a heavy emphasis on data growth. Two, all its emerging-market associates have taken to heart the digital initiatives pushed by Group Digital Life and have launched products that leverage the investments made by Singtel.

Here's more from Maybank Kim Eng:

In Singapore, Singtel intends to develop its data business further by drawing more home and mobile customers towards fibre and tiered data plans. At 71% and 61% penetration of its customer base respectively, Singtel believes there remains room for data-revenue and -profitability growth, if it plays its cards right.

It will enhance its in-building mobile coverage through the use of common antennas shared with the other telcos or upgrade older antennas not equipped to handle LTE. In 1Q15, Singtel topped IDA’s 1Q15 survey of outdoor service coverage for 4G. Not contented, it wants to lead in indoor coverage as well.

It will increase the number of Wifi access points from 400 to 1,000 by end-FY3/16. More than 50% of its LTE+Wifi Combo Plan mobile customers are already using Singtel Wifi.

It hopes to win over users currently using free Wifi such as Wireless@SG. Singtel believes there will be opportunities to monetise this service later, when it begins charging for excess usage later in FY3/16. Customers currently get unlimited usage till Nov 2015. Their free data will be reduced to 2G a month thereafter.