SINGAPORE - Singtel has been given a "stern warning" by the
Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) for engaging in an online
smear campaign against its competitors.
Singtel's youth mobile plan marketing campaign involved engaging
bloggers to complain about the services of M1 and Starhub through
social media company Gushcloud.
Singtel CEO Chua Sock Koong apologised to her competitors in March
this year after the controversial campaign came to light.
IDA said in a statement on Monday it was "disappointed that such
marketing tactics have been employed by Singtel".
The regulatory agency said it has always encouraged telcos to
compete by improving their own services, and "not by disparaging
those of their competitors".
Singtel is required to put in place the necessary measures to
ensure appropriate management oversight and control over its
marketing and advertising campaigns in order to prevent such
incidents in the future, IDA said.
ST