Singapore Telecom Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding with Time Warner Cable Inc to form a partnership for video-on-demand projects, including Singapore Telecom’s 18-month video-on-demand trial. Both parties will also explore the possibility of forming a joint venture to run video-on-demand commercially in Singapore and in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, Singapore Telecom said it will benefit from Time Warner’s technical and operating experience in running video-on-demand services for commercial applications. Singapore Telecom has a good network and influence in the Asian region and this is an opportunity to expand into the interactive television business in the Asia Pacific region, said Jeff Schwall, president of Time Warner Cable International. Time Warner’s Full Service Network in Orlando, Florida integrates cable and telephone technologies over a fibre-optic and coaxial cable network, offering cable, interactive television and access to on-line services. Singapore Telecom began its video-on-demand trial in mid-February. The trial, which initially involved 20 Singapore Telecom employees, will be extended to 280 households of the general public in the coming months. Programs being made available include movies, documentaries, music, sports, travel and children’s programs. In the next phase of the trial, news-on-demand, home shopping and learning programs will be added.
