• Fourth straight quarter of record subscriber growth
• SingTel more than tripled its 3G customer base

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) today announced that the aggregate number of mobile subscribers in the region, including its associates, has increased to 124 million as at 31 March 2007. This is the largest mobile customer base in Asia outside of China.

Compared to a year ago, the combined mobile subscriber base of SingTel, SingTel Optus and the Group's five regional associates grew 46 per cent or by 39 million subscribers.

Compared to the previous quarter, the growth was 12 million customers. It marks the fourth consecutive quarter that the number of regional mobile subscribers has increased at a record pace.

On a proportionate to shareholding basis, SingTel's subscriber base in the seven markets - Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand - increased 38 per cent from a year ago to 46 million.

Among the associates, Bharti and Telkomsel again posted the largest subscriber growth rates.

As at 31 March 2007, Bharti's total mobile subscriber base was 37 million. It added another record 5.2 million net mobile subscribers in the quarter. On a year-on-year basis, it saw a record growth of 90 per cent or 18 million new subscribers.

Telkomsel added 3.3 million in net new subscribers in the quarter. Its total mobile subscriber base of 38.9 million is an increase of 44 per cent compared to a year ago.

The SingTel Group continued to do well in the more mature markets.

In the quarter, SingTel Optus successfully defended its market position in Australia. It added 60,000 customers for the quarter, increasing its mobile customer base to 6.74 million. This was a 4 per cent rise compared to a year ago. As at 31 March 2007, 445,000 subscribers were provisioned with 3G services.

In Singapore, SingTel saw its mobile subscriber base hit 1.82 million at 31 March 2007. This was a quarterly increase of 56,000. Compared to a year ago, the number of 3G subscribers more than tripled to 466,000. On a quarterly basis, the increase in 3G subscribers was 27 per cent. The accelerating adoption rate was due to the availability of more attractive 3G handsets at affordable prices.

At a glance

More details of the market and financial performance of the seven mobile operations will be available when SingTel announces its results for the quarter and the full year ended 31 March 2007 on 9 May 2007.

About SingTel

SingTel, Asia's leading communications group, is reaping the benefits of an international expansion strategy which has been successfully developed over the last 15 years. With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that include voice and data services over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms.

SingTel Optus is a leading Australian integrated communications company. Since commencing operations in 1992, Optus has invested more than A$10 billion in the construction of fixed, mobile and satellite networks. Optus' mobile business unit has captured around one third of the total Australian GSM mobile market.

SingTel is a strategic investor in four of the region's most successful mobile operations. It has a 21.40 per cent stake in Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand's largest mobile operator. In India, it has a 30.47 per cent effective interest in Bharti, the country's largest GSM operator. One of SingTel's earliest investments in the region is Globe Telecom in the Philippines. Today, it has a 44.53 per cent stake in the company. SingTel has a 35 per cent stake in Indonesia's largest mobile operator, Telkomsel. It also has a 45 per cent equity stake in Pacific Bangladesh Telecom Limited (PBTL).

The SingTel Group had a turnover of S$13.14 billion (US$8.12 billion) and net profit after tax of S$4.16 billion (US$2.57 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2006.

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