SINGAPORE TELECOM (Guideline on toll rate charged by service providers of audio lines)

Mr Cheo Chai Chen asked the Minister for Communications (a) whether Singapore Telecom has set a guideline on the toll rate charged to the public by all service providers of audio lines (1900) and (b) whether - in the light of many children making calls on the audio lines without their parents' consent and resulting in excessive telephone bills - he will consider making Singapore Telecom provide security codes without charge to all households.

The Minister of State for Communications (Mr Goh Chee Wee) (for the Minister for Communications): Sir, information service providers of the 1900 Audiotex service are licensed by TAS as Value-added Network services. Anyone can offer such services if they apply for a licence and accept the licensing conditions. The key licensing conditions imposed by TAS are:

(1) The service provider should assume sole responsibility for all information content and seek clearance from the relevant authorities; and

(2) Call charges should be clearly made known to the public.

TAS does not regulate the pricing of Audiotex service because it is not a basic telecommunication service. The fee is set by the service providers based on the anticipated demand for their services. It is not possible for TAS to determine a fair market price for these services in view of their diversity and variety.

On the second part of the question raised by the Member, my answer is that Singapore Telecom operates a Phone Plus feature known as "Phone Lock" which allows subscribers to bar unauthorised outgoing calls, including calls to Audiotex services. Phone Plus is an optional feature. There is a charge for this optional service.

Mr Cheo Chai Chen: Could the Minister consider providing a free security code for subscribers because I think it is not reasonable to charge them?

Mr Goh Chee Wee: As I have explained, there is the Phone Lock service provided by Singapore Telecom. There is a cost incurred in providing this service and the user for this service should pay for it.