Singtel announced a partnership with video-streaming service Netflix yesterday in a bid to expand the telco's streaming offerings.
Customers can get up to nine months of complimentary standard Netflix subscription when they recontract or sign up for the telco's mobile or fibre Internet and television services from Jan 22to July 22.
Netflix, which was made available in Singapore last week, streams movies and television shows online for a monthly fee.
In Singapore, it costs between $11 and $17 a month to access the Netflix library, which includes hits like superhero series Jessica Jones and uncensored versions of Orange Is The New Black and Spartacus.
Those who sign up or recontract only for a mobile subscription will receive three months' free subscription, while those who do so for Singtel's Internet and television bundle will get six months.
Customers who sign up for both will get nine months of complimentary Netflix subscriptions. These free months can be applied to their existing or new Netflix accounts.
Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, chief executive of Singtel's Singapore consumer business, said the tie-up offers customers more freedom and flexibility. He added: "Our customers' entertainment consumption habits are changing."
Netflix users can already access the service through their computers and devices such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox and Apple TV, which are connected directly to television sets. It is also available on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
Under the partnership, Netflix will also be available on Singtel's set-top boxes from April. Viewers can access Netflix through a quick access button or via channel 404.
A spokesman for rival telco StarHub said it is also in discussions with Netflix to give its customers content on their StarHub set-top box. "We hope to reveal more details shortly," he added.
Mr Clement Teo, a senior analyst at market research firm Forrester, said the tie-up is ultimately targeting a niche audience of those interested in streaming services to sign up with telco.
"It won't attract sports fans, for instance - they may not care about Netflix," he added.
For graduate student Aerin Lai, 26, the free months of Netflix will not cut it when the time comes for her to recontract her plans. "I won't recontract just for few months of Netflix - the rest of their service has to be good too," she said.
