DBS Bank, AXS affected by SingTel Internet exchange fire

DBS Bank's ATM network and StarHub's broadband and cable TV services were disrupted on Wednesday after a fire broke out at a SingTel Internet exchange building in Bukit Panjang. -- ST FILE PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN
DBS Bank's ATM network and StarHub's broadband and cable TV services were disrupted on Wednesday after a fire broke out at a SingTel Internet exchange building in Bukit Panjang. -- ST FILE PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

DBS Bank's ATM network and StarHub's broadband and cable TV services were disrupted on Wednesday after a fire broke out at a SingTel Internet exchange building in Bukit Panjang.

A total of 18 out of the bank's more than 80 banking branches and ATMs could not be connected to the Internet. To help customers, the bank is extending its banking hours by one hour today at all branches, DBS said in a statement. The affected DBS and POSB branches are at Changi Airport, Tampines East, Toa Payoh Central, Woodlands West, Ang Mo Kio Central and Ngee Ann City, among others.

In a statement, Mr Mock Pak Lum, StarHub's Chief Technology Officer, said: "We have been informed that there was a fire at SingTel's Bukit Panjang exchange. As we lease some SingTel optical fibre capacity that runs through this exchange, this has affected StarHub's cable TV, cable and fibre broadband, and digital voice services for some of our customers. We are monitoring the situation closely and working to restore services as soon as we can."

About a quarter of all AXS terminals across the island were also down as of 5.30pm, said an AXS spokesman. He added that for AXS customers, 640 machines are still in operation, and its internet and mobile app services are still up. AXS is working with SingTel to restore service to its terminals.

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