Singtel's memorial service for Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was streamed "live" to Singtel's 20,000 staff at various locations in Singapore and Australia.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who was a director at the company from 2003 to 2010, paid tribute to the late Mr Lee in a speech, along with Singtel chairman Simon Israel and Singtel group chief executive Chua Sock Koong.

"Mr Lee's push for deregulation and competition had been painful, but necessary for Singtel and the industry. It exposed us to true market challenges and we had to adapt quickly or risk being marginalised. That is truly 'tough love'," Ms Chua said at the service, held at Singtel Comcentre in Exeter Road.

"Today, Singtel is a fully competitive communications provider... (and) we have all benefited from his wisdom and actions. "We must do our part to live and preserve his legacy," she added.

JACQUELINE WOO