Telstra expands into Singapore and Japan

Australian operator Telstra has secured new operating licences in Singapore and Japan, allowing the firm to extend its reach in Asia.

The company will deliver services directly to customers in both markets, rather than teaming up with local partners, as its newly acquired licences allow the carrier to own infrastructure facilities in each of the countries.

In Singapore, Telstra can own and operate voice and data networks, systems and facilities infrastructure within the country, after it secured a ‘Facilities Based Operator’ licence offered by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. The licence will also allow Telstra to build the local backbone required to support its plans for new cable submarine capacity to Singapore.

The company is now also able to own and operate large scale telecoms circuits and facilities in multiple sites in Japan, after Telstra Japan K.K., has been approved by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for a ‘Registration Type’ licence.

The company was also recently awarded three licences in India, to provide customers with international long-distance telecommunications and ISP services. Within the next six months, it will begin offering services in seven cities with a network tailored to suit the individual needs of local business.

Mumbai and Chennai will be Telstra’s Indian international gateways connecting into its international backbone network, providing customers with direct routes into networks in Europe and Asia.

“For international customers, Telstra will now have greater control over its services. Specifically customers will enjoy access to a more comprehensive suite of connectivity and managed services, better network performance, complete monitoring, local contract billing capabilities, and in-country service centre support,” said Tarek Robbiati, group managing director for Telstra International Group.

“In addition, Telstra will have greater control over network architecture design, and be in a strong position to optimise performance, multi-level resiliency, redundancy and reliability.”

Telstra CEO David Thodey recently told delegates at an event in Melbourne that the operator no longer sees itself as an Australian company, and wants to begin being recognised as part of the Asia community.