TPG ready for Singapore launch, paper says

The Straits Times reports that Singapore’s new fourth telco TPG Telecom – which is currently in the throes of being spun off from its Aussie parent, raising doubts over the viability and likelihood of its launch – has issued a clear statement of intent that it is coming to the city-state. With speculation mounting that the newcomer may have ‘issues rolling out its services and may even exit Singapore entirely’ due to TPG Australia’s pending merger with Vodafone Hutchison Australia – and suggestions this may lead to inadequate funding of the fourth telco – a TPG spokesman told The Strait Times: ‘TPG is excited about delivering a better, cheaper and transparent mobile service in Singapore, and we are looking forward to commencing our trial to Singapore consumers shortly.’ Further, the unnamed TPG official confirmed that ‘TPG Australia intends to adequately capitalise TPG Singapore prior to separation’, ensuring the launch goes ahead. TPG Telecom won the city-state’s fourth operator licence in December 2016 and was supposed to have launched its services by this month. It has previously said that its first products would target senior citizens, but has remained tight-lipped about a revised launch date and simply stated it is still on course to meet the licence stipulation that it achieve 95% outdoor mobile coverage by end-2018. Indoor coverage in buildings and road tunnels, required by the end of next year, is ‘under way and progressing well’, it points out.