SingNet fined S$145,000 for Singtel TV disruptions
SingNet is the subsidiary internet service provider of SingTel. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — Internet service provider SingNet has been fined a total of S$145,000 by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) for two separate service Singtel TV disruptions that occurred in January this year, and October last year.
SingNet — the subsidiary internet service provider of Singtel — was fined S$55,000 for the first service disruption on Oct 1, 2015, which resulted in 100 Singtel TV subscribers experiencing a complete loss of programmes on 11 channels.
Investigations showed that the incident was initially caused by damage to a primary fibre cable. A faulty fibre optic receiver card on the secondary fibre prevented an automatic switchover, leading to the service disruption.
The IMDA said SingNet did not have a robust process to test that the receiver card was functional, and had contravened its Quality of Service licence conditions.
SingNet was fined S$90,000 for the second incident on Jan 5 this year, where around 1,400 Singtel TV subscribers experienced intermittent pixelation on 15 channels.
Investigations showed that the disruption was caused by a failure of a SingNet vendor to properly configure two line cards on a router at SingNet’s Bukit Timah control centre in August 2015. The IMDA said SingNet should have ensured that its vendor carried out its work according to plan.
In a media release issued on Friday (Nov 25), the IMDA said: “In determining the financial penalties, IMDA took into consideration factors such as SingNet’s response to the incidents, the extent of the disruptions and its track record.
“IMDA notes that SingNet has committed to implementing the necessary measures to prevent future recurrences.”
