S'pore, Microsoft discuss Internet access
S'pore, Microsoft discuss Internet access
SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. said
yesterday it was holding talks with U.S. software giant Microsoft
Corp. on an Internet access venture that could give the local
company a head start over its rivals.
"We confirm the discussions are on with Microsoft," said a
spokesman for Singapore Telecom, which reportedly is working out
a deal to provide access to the Internet for Singapore users of
the Microsoft Network on-line service.
Microsoft Network was launched on Thursday together with
Windows 95, its new personal computer operating system.
The Business Times newspaper, quoting sources, said yesterday
the deal could take the form of an agreement whereby local users
of Microsoft Network who want to access the Internet are
automatically linked through SingNet, Singapore Telecom's gateway
to the global information network.
For SingNet, the newspaper said, this could mean a potential
flood of new subscribers as Microsoft Network is expected to be
widely used, both here and in other countries. Windows 95 has
built-in capability to access the service.
In Singapore, access to the Internet, the global collection of
computer networks connecting over 30 million users, is regulated
by the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS).
TAS has so far given licenses to Singapore Telecom and Pacific
Internet, which has not been approached by Microsoft so far. A
third license is expected to be issued after tenders were called
in May.
Pacific Internet bought a gateway to Internet from Singapore's
National Science and Technology Board in June.
There was earlier speculation that Microsoft, the world's
leading maker of personal computer software, would become an
unofficial fourth Internet access provider here, by offering
access via its own on-line service, as it is now doing in the
United States.
TAS told the Business Times that because Microsoft does not
have the necessary license, it cannot provide Internet access in
Singapore through its Network service.
A deal with Singapore Telecom will allow Microsoft to
circumvent that problem.