SingTel fixed-line telephone customers will soon have to pay an additional $10 a year in subscription rates. The revision, starting from 1 January 2009, will represent an increase of 83 cents a month.

This is the first rate revision by Singtel in 18 years for its fixed-line telephone subscription and call charges.

With the revision, residential customers will now pay $110 per annum and business customers will pay $160.

Call charges will increase to 0.8 cents from 0.7 cents per 30-second block during peak hours and per 60-second block during off-peak hours.

To reflect changes in call traffic patterns, peak hours will also be revised to 9am to 7pm from 8am to 6pm, Mondays to Fridays. Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays are off-peak.

The new rates will translate to an additional cost of not more than $1.50 a month for most customers.

Mr Allen Lew, SingTel?s CEO Singapore, said: ?We have held off rate revisions for 18 years despite rising costs. Over the years, the two main cost components, manpower and materials, have increased substantially. The recent rapid increase in utility costs has also pushed up our running costs.??

Mr Lew stressed that with this adjustment, SingTel's charges still remains one of the lowest in the region.

To help households that need financial assistance and cushion the effect of the rate revisions, SingTel will provide $1 million worth of $10 credit vouchers. Residents who need assistance can approach their Citizens? Consultative Committees or People?s Association grassroots leaders.

In addition, fixed-line residential customers who sign up for both SingTel?s electronic bill statement (www.singtel.com/myBill) and GIRO before 31 March 2009 will enjoy a one-time $10 discount on their annual subscription.