By Rachel Chan

THE Government wants more competition in Singapore's pay-TV arena, and may move to ensure that obstacles are not thrown up by the way the two operators - SingTel and StarHub - are busy signing exclusive arrangements with content providers.

Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew revealed this in Parliament yesterday.

"Given the next-generation nationwide broadband network... we want retail service providers to be able to come in and participate in the market, and too many exclusive contract arrangements may result in barriers to entry that would impede such new companies from being formed and from participating in offering innovative services to consumers," he said.

Still, the Government is taking measured steps on the matter, and the final vote - with the pocketbook - remains with the consumer.

Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui said that as the Media Development Authority considers "possible measures we can introduce to improve the situation, I want to reiterate... consumers will have to send their own signals...as to whether they want to continue with the arrangement we have today."

He was responding to several questions posed by Members of Parliament on managing competition in the pay-TV market, in the wake of SingTel's successful outbidding of StarHub CableTV for broadcast rights to the Barclays Premier League (BPL).

RADM Lui added that the Government would not intervene over pricing.

"Traditionally, the Government has moved in areas where it is a provision of basic essential services, and to make sure (that these are) made available at an affordable price."

This is "not the case" with BPL football games, he noted.

rachchan@sph.com.sg

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