OPENNET consortium which is building Singapore's next generation broadband network will begin installing fibre cables into homes and office buildings from September.

The consortium, which comprises Singapore Telecommunications, Singapore Press Holdings, SP Telecommunications and Axia Netmedia, will start its work in four clusters - Macpherson/Braddell, Jurong, Middle Road, and Geylang/Eunos.

It expects to complete installation in 56,000 homes and 1,000 office buildings within the first month and 60 per cent of all homes and offices done by 2010.

Installation of the cables, which will enable broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps, for homes and offices, is free, and will take four hours.

Those who do not want it installed will have to pay $220 for apartments and $450 for landed property if they decide to install it later on.

To check when OpenNet will be installing the cables, check www.opennet.com.sg.

The company will also be sending out letters to homeowners to inform them of the installation.

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