SingTel chief executive for Singapore Allen Lew said the new subscribers were people who had moved here from overseas as well as residents who had not had broadband before.

Also, the company has seen success in converting existing dial-up customers to broadband, and persuading customers of rival service providers to switch to SingNet.

Singapore's broadband penetration rate stands at about 70 per cent, so Mr Lew sees room for SingNet's broadband business to grow. It is now working at convincing its 30,000 dial-up clients to take up broadband.

The company, added Mr Lew, has not suffered any negative fallout and sees 'no indication of any negative impact in the future' from a recent controversy tied to anime distributor Odex's anti-piracy efforts.

Internet users had attacked SingNet for not shielding customers accused of downloading pirated material online; Odex had obtained a court order requiring the company to release client information. Many claimed they would switch from SingNet - cancelling their contracts if need be - to a service provider that would shield them from litigious rights owners.

CHUA HIAN HOU