DOCSLIB.ORG

Operating and Financial Review

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Operating and Financial Review Operating and Financial Review Contents 23 Overview 24 Vision, Mission and Strategies 26 Business in Singapore 32 Business in Australia 38 Business across Asia 41 Group Five-Year Financial Summary 42 Management Discussion and Analysis 49 Shareholder Returns Operating51 Risk Factors and Financial Review 22 SingTel Annual Report 2005/2006 Overview SingTel was incorporated in March 1992 and became a SingTel was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”) public company in October 1993. The Company was listed in September 2001 when it acquired Optus, the second on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) in November 1993. largest communications provider in Australia. SingTel is majority owned by Temasek Holdings (Private) SingTel also has interests in several other communications Limited which owns 56.5 per cent of SingTel’s issued share companies outside Singapore, including AIS in Thailand, capital. The rest of the shares are in public hands. Bharti in India, Globe in the Philippines, Pacific Bangladesh Telecom in Bangladesh and Telkomsel in Indonesia. The principal operations of SingTel are in Singapore and Australia. The SingTel Group has subsidiaries that are Today, SingTel is the largest company listed on the SGX engaged in activities such as the provision of mobile with a market capitalisation of S$44 billion (US$27 billion) phone, Internet, IT and consultancy services, and the sale of as at 31 March 2006, and offers investors an opportunity to telecommunications equipment. own part of a truly regional communications group with operations and investments in more than 20 countries and territories. SingTel Group Structure Major Subsidiaries Major Associates and Joint Ventures Singapore Overseas Singapore Overseas Singapore Telecom Mobile SingTel Optus Pty Limited Singapore Post Limited Advanced Info Service Pte Ltd (“SingTel Mobile”) (“Optus”) (“SingPost”) Public Company Limited (“AIS”) SingNet Pte Ltd (“SingNet”) Bharti Airtel Limited (“Bharti”) Telecom Equipment Pte Ltd (“Telecom Equipment”) Globe Telecom, Inc. (“Globe”) NCS Pte. Ltd. (“NCS”) Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited (“Pacific Bangladesh Telecom”) PT Telekomunikasi Selular (“Telkomsel”) New Century Infocomm Tech Note: Co., Ltd. (“NCIC”) Please refer to Note 45 to the Financial Statements on page 165 for the comprehensive list of companies in the Group. Network i2i Limited (“i2i”) Southern Cross Cable Holdings Limited (“Southern Cross”) SingTel Annual Report 2005/2006 23 Operating and Financial Review Vision, Mission and Strategies SingTel’s vision is to be Asia Pacific’s best communications • Grow in Australia – We will continue to grow our group. Our mission is to break barriers and build bonds market share in Australia through Optus, which so that we make communications easier, faster, more is the leading challenger to the incumbent economical and more reliable for individuals and telecommunications operator. Optus aims to achieve businesses. At the same time, we want to create and deliver revenue growth and margin improvements. To reach value to our customers, business partners, shareholders these goals, Optus will deliver a simple, innovative and employees. and reliable experience to customers, ensure cost leadership in target markets, strengthen its ‘challenger’ To achieve our vision and mission, we have adopted five culture and leverage the scale of the SingTel Group as strategic goals: a whole. • Lead in Singapore – We will maintain our leadership position in Singapore by continuing to focus on • Partner across Asia – We will expand our regional growing usage, providing enhanced services to our franchise across Asia Pacific. Our focus is on executing customers and leveraging our strong brand equity. and maximising the value of our existing businesses Operating and Financial Review Left: As the number-one telecommunications service provider in Singapore, we remain committed to offering our customers the best value and the most innovative communications solutions to meet their diverse and changing needs. Top: Optus is the second largest communications company in Australia and is focused on capturing market share, stimulating revenue and achieving scale for continuous growth. 24 SingTel Annual Report 2005/2006 and regional partnerships. This includes reviewing reliable and quality network solutions to our customers. opportunities to increase our shareholdings in We will enhance our service and network infrastructure existing associates and the flexibility to consider new to better serve our customers throughout Asia Pacific. investments, if they make sense both strategically and financially. • Innovate for the Future – We will enhance our position as an integrated provider of wireline and wireless services The geographic focus will remain in Asia Pacific, with a for consumers and businesses by providing innovative preference for strategic investments where we can add communications solutions to meet their evolving needs, value by taking an active role in management and where and nurturing our human and intellectual capital to such investments can be funded from internal cash flow achieve organisational excellence. generation. We measure our progress in realising our vision and mission • Connect Asia – Our network of SingTel Global Offices by delivering sustainable shareholder value, maximising and extensive infrastructure have allowed us to deliver customer satisfaction and being an employer of choice. Bottom: We work closely with our partners across Asia so as to maximise the value of our existing businesses and regional partnerships as well as to sustain our growth. Top: Our customers enjoy unparalleled reach across the globe with our advanced and extensive telecommunications infrastructure, and worldwide network of 37 SingTel Global Offices. SingTel Annual Report 2005/2006 25 Operating and Financial Review Business in Singapore We continue to be the leading telecommunications service With Free Sunday Calls and Free Outgoing Calls Everyday provider in Singapore. Despite the fiercely competitive – the first of their kind in Singapore – new and existing market, we gained 94,000 new mobile customers year- prepaid mobile customers can enjoy free outgoing local on-year and increased our total mobile subscriber base to calls everyday. Customers also benefited from more 1.66 million. Our broadband business also performed free calls with the launch of Free Incoming Calls and well, with the number of broadband lines rising 18 per Free International Direct Dialling (“IDD”) v019 Calls to cent to 352,000. In IT and communications engineering, 13 destinations. our wholly-owned subsidiary, NCS, maintained its steady revenue growth by creating and delivering value to its We were also the first to introduce the lowest prepaid card customers. value in the market – the S$10 Prepaid Card. The card gives greater value to customers as they need only pay S$8 to Mobile Services receive S$10 worth of calls. During the year, we continued to build on our value propositions. In addition, holders of the Kababayan Card – a co-brand prepaid mobile card with our regional mobile associate, In response to a growing prepaid mobile market, we Globe – became the first prepaid card users in Singapore to launched a series of innovative prepaid mobile features enjoy free IDD calls to Globe customers in the Philippines. aimed at bringing the most compelling value to our customers. 26 SingTel Annual Report 2005/2006 Opposite page & right: We constantly add value to our mobile services to cater to the needs of our customers. Among the new mobile features that we launched during the year were free outgoing local calls everyday for our prepaid mobile users. Our focus on adding value to our prepaid mobile services SingTel – together with two local telecommunications has provided us with a stronger competitive positioning. service providers – developed and launched a voluntary As at 31 March 2006, we had 456,000 prepaid mobile code in March 2006 to self-regulate mobile content in subscribers. Singapore. The code provides a common framework for the development and marketing of mobile content and The year also saw the availability of a 2-in-1 Subscriber is guided by the principle that such content should be Identity ModuIe (“SIM”) card where customers have the consistent with material that is available to the general flexibility of making calls and sending Short Message public on an unrestricted basis from other mainstream Service (“SMS”) through either of two mobile numbers media. with just one SIM card and one mobile phone. Forging Ahead with 3G In line with our efforts to promote mobile commerce, we Since the launch of our 3G service in February 2005, our partnered the Land Transport Authority to launch Easi- 3G subscriber base has been growing steadily. Today, we ERP during the year. Easi-ERP is an electronic payment lead the market with about 130,000 3G customers who are service that allows customers to conveniently pay their responding positively to our range of value-added services outstanding Electronic Road Pricing (“ERP”) charges that include video calls at voice rates, cheaper data charges through their SingTel Mobile bills and enjoy a lower ERP and free video streaming. We continue to offer the most administrative fee at the same time. extensive 3G roaming coverage to our mobile customers in Singapore. The popularity of our 3G service attests to We believe that protecting mobile users, especially how it is boosting mobile communications and making minors, from inappropriate mobile content is
Load more

Recommended publications
  • MEDIA FACTSHEET Our Digital Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information Work Plan Seminar 2019 As Singapore Transforms
    MEDIA FACTSHEET Our Digital Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information Work Plan Seminar 2019 As Singapore transforms digitally, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and its family of agencies1 remain committed to ensuring inclusive growth. This means working together so that all segments of Singapore society – businesses, workers and our people – are on board the digital transformation journey, and to seize the many exciting opportunities in Our Digital Singapore. The initiatives in this factsheet outlines some of our continued digital transformation efforts as announced at the MCI Work Plan Seminar on 10 July 2019 by Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Communications and Information. 1. HELPING LOCAL SMEs DIGITALISE More SMEs taking up Start Digital Packs Start Digital is an initiative under the SMEs Go Digital programme for new SMEs to start their business right with foundational and competitively-priced digital solutions. IMDA and Enterprise Singapore work with Start Digital partners (DBS, Maybank, OCBC, Singtel, Starhub and UOB) as new SMEs typically require banking and telecommunication services. The partners curate a suite of digital solutions that are suitable for newly incorporated SMEs, in five categories: Accounting, HR Management System & Payroll, Digital Marketing, Digital Transactions and Cybersecurity. [NEW] Within 6 months of the launch of Start Digital in January 2019, more than 4,000 SMEs have taken up Start Digital packs. This brings to a total of 10,000 SMEs who have benefited from the SMEs Go Digital programme by taking up pre-approved digital solutions that are supported by a government grant. With these packs, SMEs are able to better manage their finances, workers, sales and capture new growth opportunities.
    [Show full text]
  • CRC/C/SGP/4-5 Convention on the Rights of the Child
    United Nations CRC/C/SGP/4-5 Convention on the Distr.: General Rights of the Child 3 November 2017 Original: English Committee on the Rights of the Child Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under Article 44 of the Convention Fourth and fifth periodic reports of States parties due in 2017 Singapore 1 FOREWORD Every child is precious, and deserves to grow up in a safe and loving environment. Singapore is committed to protecting and promoting the wellbeing of our children. Since our independence in 1965, Singapore has continually refined its policies to better meet the needs of our children. We are pleased to report our efforts since the last report in 2009. Singapore has strengthened legislation, systems and policies to improve protection for our children. We amended three pieces of legislation to do so: the Children and Young Persons Act to enhance the welfare and care of children, and the Women’s Charter and the Administration of Muslim Law Act to better support children from divorced families. In 2014, Singapore also established the Family Justice Courts, which takes the best interests of the child into account in familial disputes. We have increased our support for families with young children. We enhanced the Child Development Co-Savings Act in 2016 to provide more financial support for child-raising and improve leave schemes to enable working parents to manage both work and family responsibilities. We also provided assurance to parents with young children on the accessibility, affordability and quality of early childhood services. These measures reflect the commitment of the Singapore Government to give every child a good start in life, regardless of their background.
    [Show full text]
  • Closing of the Advertisement Licensing Service Counter
    Our Ref : APPBCA-2016-03 Building Plan & Management Group 01 Jun 2016 See Distribution List Dear Sir/Madam CLOSING OF THE ADVERTISEMENT LICENSING SERVICE COUNTER This circular is to inform the industry that the Advertisement Licensing Service Counter, which is located within the BCA Service Centre at JEM (52 Jurong Gateway Road, #06-01, Singapore 608550), will be closed with effect from 1st August 2016 . 2 All consultations and applications for advertisement licences can be done via the online Advertisement Licensing System (ALS), which was introduced since 1 st December 2014. You can access the ALS from this website: https://www.bca.gov.sg/AdvertisementLicence . The ALS user manual is also available at http://www.bca.gov.sg/AdvertisementLicence/PDFTemplate/UserGuide.pdf. Three Simple Steps to Apply for Licence using ALS 3 Applicant only needs to go through three simple steps to obtain a licence for the display of an outdoor advertisement sign or a signboard. a) Step 1: Log in to ALS An applicant needs to log in to the ALS. First-time users can register online for a user ID and password or log in using their SingPass. b) Step 2: Submit Proposal for Consultation The applicant is required to submit his/her proposal online via the ALS for consultation. When submitting the proposal, the applicant may choose to indicate in ALS that he/she wishes to proceed with the licence application directly upon approval of the proposal. 52 Jurong Gateway Road #11-01 Singapore 608550 Tel: 1800 3425222 Email: [email protected] www.bca.gov.sg An MND Statutory Board c) Step 3: Pay Licence Fee Upon receipt of the in-principle approval for the proposal, the applicant will receive an email informing him/her to log in to ALS to submit all relevant documents and make payment for the licence application.
    [Show full text]
  • November 2016 OUR PICK for THIS MONTH
    November 2016 www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary OUR PICK FOR THIS MONTH Mother Tongue Language Reading Festival 26 Celebrate the joy of reading in mother tongue languages. Reading Festival 11 Nov – 20 Nov 2016 我们的母语，我们的根源 Jejak Semula Asal Usul Kita Retracing Our Roots Opening Festival Celebrations Parti Buku bersama Nur-El-Hudaa Friday 11 November, 2pm – 4pm 19 Nov, Saturday, 3pm – 5pm Jurong Regional Library, Programme Zone Playhouse, Tampines Regional Library Gig Puisi 19 Nov, Saturday, 4.30pm – 6.30pm 13 Nov, Sunday, 1pm - 2pm The Pod, National Library Building Programme Zone, Woodlands Regional Library 情诗·情歌·情文 20 Nov, Sunday, 2pm – 4pm 电影赏析：《阅读时光》 Possibility Room, National Library Building 16 Nov, Wednesday 6.30pm – 8.30pm Programme Zone, library@chinatown 20 Nov, Sunday, 2pm-4pm ‘Bongkar Beg!’ Programme Zone, Bishan Public Library Dramatisation Workshop 12 Nov, Saturday, 9am – 12pm 《Love阅读》分享会 Programme Zone, Pasir Ris Public Library 20 Nov, Sunday, 12pm – 12.30pm Programme Zone, Jurong West Public Library All Rights Reserved. Please register at library eKiosks or www.nlb.gov.sg/golibrary and search under[MTL Read Fest’16] ARTS 04 The National LibraryGrab a copy Board, of the Festival Singapore Brochure fromdisclaims your nearest all library today! liability and responsibility for any loss caused to any person by any act or omission due to the material READ 08 contained herein. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted BUSINESS 15 in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher, the National Library WELLNESS 16 Board, Singapore.
    [Show full text]
  • Planning for Tourism: Creating a Vibrant Singapore
    Planning for Tourism: Creating a Vibrant Singapore A common misconception is that tourism policy primarily focuses on promotion and marketing campaigns. While these activities are essential, another important but STUDIES URBAN SYSTEMS sometimes overlooked aspect is how creative city planning can support tourism promotion, and consequently, how the needs and goals of tourism policy can influence development and planning decisions. In Singapore, tourism has shaped the built environment, influenced conservation and heritage policies, and enhanced quality of life for Singapore’s residents. The industry has also helped to anchor Singapore’s global reputation and attractiveness as a place to conduct business, study and live. a Vibrant Singapore Planning for Tourism: Creating This book will examine how Singapore’s tourism strategies Planning and city planning support each other. It should be noted that even though the Singapore Tourism Board does for Tourism: not typically own the tourism assets in Singapore, it nonetheless plays an integral part in aligning government agencies, private firms and civil society to Singapore’s Creating long-term tourism plans. a Vibrant “ No one ever dreamed tiny Singapore could accommodate millions of tourists. Yet, we made it happen. Singapore We did not build castles in the sky. Based on calibrated decisions, made hand in hand with the urban planners with inputs from private sector developers, we built what we needed. The pages of this book share how it all happened.” Pamelia Lee, Former Senior Consultant to
    [Show full text]
  • National Library Board Annual Report 2017/2018
    A Year in Review Our Shared Stories National Library Board Annual Report 2017/2018 OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 1 PG 03 01 Introduction PG 04 02 Our Story PG 21 Our Board and 03 Management PG 26 04 Acknowledgement PG 30 05 Corporate Governance OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 2 PUBLIC NATIONAL NATIONAL ARCHIVES LIBRARIES LIBRARY OF SINGAPORE 01 The National Library Board (NLB) nurtures readers for life, learning communities and a knowledgeable nation through our network of 26 public libraries, the National Library and the National Archives of Singapore. We also build awareness and promote greater discovery of Singapore’s history and heritage through strategic partnerships and our rich collections. OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 3 02 What have we achieved over the Our Story past year? OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 4 Our Story Joint Message from Our Chairman & CEO In this year’s joint message, our Chairman, Mr Chan Heng Kee, and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Elaine Ng, look back at 2017 and some of its most memorable events. They also talk about how NLB is continuously innovating in a world where trends and needs are ever-changing. OUR SHARED STORIES • NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 17/18 5 Our Story What was the biggest highlight Heng Kee: In 2017, we took another big step towards for NLB in 2017? fulfilling our vision to create readers for life, learning communities and a knowledgeable nation. Elaine: We had many key happenings, including the reopening of four libraries in Bukit Panjang, Tampines, Bedok and Yishun.
    [Show full text]
  • Riverside Secondary School 104
    Updated to include videos! Written and edited by: Cheryl Anne Lee Jia Lin, Christabel Sim Poh Ling, Gan Siew Lee, Heng Huey Bin, Raneetha Rajaratnam, Siti Aisyah Binte Abdul Nasir, Teo Xing Zhi, Yeo Si Hwee Designed by: National Library Board, Singapore & Graphic Masters Pte Ltd Printed by: Paddyfield Pte Ltd Published by: National Library Board, Singapore 100 Victoria Street #14-01 National Library Building Singapore 188064 www.nlb.gov.sg All rights reserved. © National Library Board, 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as expressly permitted by the law, without the prior written permission of the Publisher and copyright owner(s). Whilst reasonable care has been taken by the Publisher to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no legal liabilities whatsoever for the contents of this publication. ISBN: 978-981-11-2984-1 National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Name(s): Singapore. National Library Board, editor, issuing body. Title: For the love of reading : a compilation of best practices in Singapore schools / written and edited by National Library Board Singapore. Description: Singapore : National Library Board, Singapore, [2017] | Book is a compilation of the best reading practices from the winning and shortlisted Singapore schools from the Reading Excellence Award (REA) 2016 - 2017 by the National Library Board and the Ministry of Education. Identifier(s): OCN 974421920 | ISBN 978-981-11-2984-1 (hardcover) Subject(s): LCSH: Reading. | Books and reading -- Singapore | School children -- Books and reading.
    [Show full text]
  • Subsidiary of Singtel About
    The views expressed in this paper are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms. NCS Corporate Presentation Competitive environment. Competitive edge. - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte. Ltd. Reg. No. 198101793G. All Rights Reserved. YourYour PartnerPartner InIn InformationInformation TechnologyTechnology andand CommunicationsCommunications EngineeringEngineering (Brief(Brief IntroIntro toto NCS)NCS) Presented by Ms Catherine Quek Senior Manager, Business Development Government Administration 24 Jan 2006 NCS Corporate Presentation - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte. Ltd. Reg. No. 198101793G. All Rights Reserved. :: About NCS Synergy with SingTel Overview of NCS Key Businesses :: Partner for Growth :: Business Innovation :: Value Creation NCS Corporate Presentation - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte. Ltd. Reg. No. 198101793G. All Rights Reserved. About NCS Subsidiary of SingTel Profile of SingTel Group 126 years of heritage Best Telco by Telecom Asia for six consecutive years Region's top telco in FinanceAsia’s fifth annual Asia's Best Companies Poll In top 10 position for Singapore Top 500 companies, with revenue of S$12.62 billion Most profitable company in Singapore (S$4.62 billion) Largest company in Singapore by market capitalisation (S$43 billion) 74 million mobile subscribers globally (70% overseas) Extensive global connectivity and network of 35 global offices in 17 countries and territories NCS Corporate Presentation - NCS CONFIDENTIAL Copyright © 1996-2006 NCS Pte.
    [Show full text]
  • Working with The
    Working With the Kaizad Heerjee Assistant Chief Executive www.ida.gov.sg Confidential © IDA Singapore 2000 • Ministries: Ministry Of Communication And Information Technology, Ministry Of Community Development And Sports, Ministry Of Defence, Ministry Of Education, Ministry Of Finance, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Ministry Of Health, Ministry Of Home Affairs, Ministry Of Information And The Arts, Ministry Of Law, Ministry Of Manpower, Ministry Of National Development, Ministry Of The Environment, Ministry Of Trade And Industry, Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister's Office, Public Service Division • Organs of State: Attorney-General's Chambers, Auditor-General's Office, Istana, Judiciary, Industrial Arbitration Court, Judiciary, Subordinate Courts, Judiciary, Supreme Court, Legal Service Commission, Parliament House, Public Service Commission, The Cabinet • Statutory Boards: Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority Of Singapore, Board Of Architects, Board Of Commissioners Of Currency, Building And Construction Authority, Central Provident Fund, Civil Aviation Authority Of Singapore, Commercial And Industrial Security Corporation, Contact Lens Practitioners Board, Defence Science & Technology Agency, Economic Development Board, Hotels Licensing Board, Housing And Development Board, Info-Communications Development Authority Of Singapore, Inland Revenue Authority Of Singapore, Institute Of Southeast Asian Studies, Institute Of Technical Education, Jurong Town Corporation, Laboratory Board, Land Transport Authority, Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura,
    [Show full text]
  • 1 S Media Release PUBLIC LIBRARIES
    s Media Release PUBLIC LIBRARIES HELP SENIORS ACCESS DIGITAL RESOURCES AND PUBLIC SERVICES WITH SDO@NLB Collaboration by NLB, PSD, IMDA and SDO to introduce senior-focused services at public libraries, aimed at ensuring digital inclusion and outreach Singapore, 23 December 2020 – The National Library Board (NLB), the Public Service Division (PSD), the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the SG Digital Office (SDO) have collaborated to make digital resources and public services more accessible for our seniors. The pilot SG Digital Office (SDO@NLB) at Geylang East Public Library serves as a digital satellite to bring various public services to the doorstep of seniors in the community. 2 The SDO@NLB hosts digital kiosks help seniors access over 200 selected digital government services, such as Central Provident Fund (CPF) nominations and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) applications. Since the pilot started in early November 2020, seniors have made about 1,200 online transactions with various public agencies at this digital integrated public services satellite centre. 3 While all the 25 public libraries have Digital Ambassadors (DAs) to provide seniors with personalised assistance, Geylang East Public Library is the only library that offers both an SG Digital community hub and the pilot one-stop access point to public services together. This is part of the Government-wide effort to integrate and focus services around citizens, as well as foster digital inclusion. 4 Those who wish to access public services digitally can use any of the three self-service kiosks at the SDO@NLB, located on Level 1 of the Geylang East Public Library.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of the Group's Business & Operations
    S6.79478 corporate final F3 Dn 16/6/04 12:59 PM Page 14 “SINGTEL HAS TRANSFORMED ITSELF INTO A MAJOR PLAYER ON THE WORLD’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS STAGE. AT ITS CORPORATISATION IN 1992, THE COMPANY HAD REVIEW OF THE GROUP’S ALMOST A PURELY DOMESTIC BUSINESS. TODAY, IT HAS OPERATIONS AND INVESTMENTS IN MORE THAN BUSINESS & OPERATIONS 20 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES AROUND THE WORLD.” services. For example, push-button phones and a fully digital network installed by SingTel more than a decade ago have made possible services such as phone-banking and broadband Internet The SingTel Group had a year of robust financial results delivering record revenues and profits. that many in Singapore have been enjoying over the years. Operating revenue for the year was a record S$12.0 billion while net profit (pre-goodwill), even after excluding exceptional gains from divestments, was at an all-time high of S$2.85 billion. Technology advancements in the wireless world saw the introduction of mobile communications – alert tone and automatic paging in 1973 and 1983 respectively, as well as mobile phone services Reflecting SingTel’s multinational profile, operations outside of Singapore contributed 75 per in 1977, with a handheld version in 1988. In 1989, Singaporeans became the first in the world cent of the Group’s enlarged revenue (including its proportionate share from associates) and to enjoy paging and mobile phone services underground on the Mass Rapid Transit system. 66 per cent of its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. SingTel’s introduction of the digital GSM cellular system in 1994 was a milestone in its history; The Group’s strong performance was driven by a three-pronged strategy – maintaining its it set the stage for the widespread use of mobile phones, very much an integral part of today’s leadership position in Singapore, increasing its market share in Australia and growing its regional lifestyle.
    [Show full text]
  • Education in Singapore Enabling Students to Have an Equal
    Cabinet B- Education in Singapore Enabling Students To Have An Equal Chance At Succeeding Improving Pre-School Education 1 Table Of Contents ENSURING EQUALITY IN EDUCATION 4 Historical Overview 4 Current situation 7 Previous Solutions 8 Challenges 10 Social Equity Gap 10 Stigmatisation 13 Projecting into the Future 14 Conclusion 16 Questions for Discussion 17 Bibliography 18 IMPROVING PRESCHOOL EDUCATION 23 Background Information 24 Premium 24 Anchor Operators 25 Partner Operators 25 Development of Preschool Education in Singapore 26 The Birth of PAP Kindergartens 26 PCF Kindergartens 26 Nurturing Early Learners Framework 27 Early Childhood Development Agency 27 The Birth of MOE Kindergartens 27 Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017 28 National Institute of Early Childhood Development 29 Heightened Support for Preschool Education 29 Current challenges 30 Providing the capacity to accommodate diverse needs 31 Resource constraints 31 Standardisation vs. Flexibility 32 2 Conclusion 33 Questions for Discussion 34 Bibliography 35 3 ENSURING EQUALITY IN EDUCATION Singapore has long prided itself on meritocracy. This belief that the brightest perform the best permeates into our world-class education system as well, one that constantly places at the top in overall PISA scores (The Economist, 2018). Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) has expressed commitment in ensuring all students get equal opportunities to succeed in the system, from the very start of students’ education journey in kindergarten (MOE, 2017). However, a growing class divide has raised questions on whether all Singaporeans have equal chances to succeed in the current system (Channel NewsAsia (CNA), 2019). Much like the Matthew Principle where the haves will have even more and the have-nots will have even less, the affluent appear to be increasingly going to more ‘elite’ schools, while the less affluent go to so-called regular ‘neighbourhood’ schools, fostering a sense of elitism (CNA, 2019).
    [Show full text]