SINGAPORE: The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has extended the submission date for request for proposals to be the operation company (OpCo) of the Next Generation National Broadband Network.

The Next Generation National Broadband Network is part of the government's Intelligent Nation 2015 or "iN2015" blueprint, which aims to provide seamless connectivity in Singapore.

The new cut-off date for submission of proposals is 5 December 2008. The original deadline was November 14.

The IDA said the extension was given as a number of qualified companies have requested more time to prepare for the submission.

The OpCo will manage flows of broadband traffic for the network, while a network company or NetCo will design and build the infrastructure.

The bid to be the NetCo was awarded to the OpenNet Consortium, which comprises Axia NetMedia, Singapore Press Holdings, SP Telecommunication and SingTel.

SingTel is also expected to bid for the OpCo portion of the bid. Singapore's other two telcos StarHub and M1 have also qualified for the OpCo bid.

Other pre-qualifiers include Alcatel-Lucent, Axia NetMedia, BT Singapore, City Telecom, Deutsche Telekom Asia, Nippon Telegraph, Telephone West Corporation, Nokia Siemens Networks and Singapore Computer Systems.

The IDA expects to appoint the OpCo in the first quarter of next year. - CNA/vm