Out-Law News

Singapore's IDA seeks power over telco boards


Singapore's Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) should be able to impose conditions on the appointment of telecommunications companies' chief executives and board members, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) has said.

In a public consultation document on the industry, the MCI proposed that the IDA should be able to impose conditions such as specifying the period of appointment for CEO and board appointments when granting approvals.

It should also be able to require the designated telecommunication licensee or the person appointed to take actions to address any competition, public interest or other concerns, the MCI said.

The MCI told Singapore news site Today that the aim is to "govern the control of designated telecommunication licensees arising from changes in their ownership interests".

"This is necessary as it enables IDA to guard against mergers and acquisitions that could substantially reduce competition, raise regulatory and competition concerns, and may not be in the public interest," the MCI told Today.

The MCI also proposed giving the IDA the power to demand rooftop space for mobile deployments on private buildings, and prohibiting any exclusive access agreements on these properties.

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