SINGAPORE CABLE VISION

Mr Heng Chiang Meng asked the Minister for Information and the Arts if he will show separately the utilisation of the paid TV and the Internet-access services provided by Singapore Cable Vision by the following categories of households, namely Housing and Development Board apartments, private apartments and condominia, terrace houses, semi-detached houses, bungalows and others.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Subscription rate for SCV

As of 31st January 2000, the overall subscription rate of SCV has increased to 23% (or 214,000 households). The subscription rate is highest for private residential homes, with landed property showing a 43% (or 27,000 households) take-up rate. MITA is unable to provide more detailed information as this is trade information of commercial value.

SCV's Cable Modem Service

SCV's Internet access service is made available by its cable modem service which was commercially launched on 29th December 1999. Subscription figures for SCV's cable modem service for different housing types are not available.

There are currently 5,000 subscribers for its existing cable modem trial service, which was started two and a half years ago. SCV has estimated that an additional 2,500 subscribers have signed up for its cable modem service since its launch in December 1999. Subscription rates for the cable modem service are currently modest because cable broadband access is still in its infancy in Singapore. SCV targets to register up to 100,000 households for its cable modem service within the next 3 years.