Singapore ISPs Launch New Salvos.

Singapore_s Internet service providers are back in hot competition again, this time emerging with innovative bundling and aggressive recruitment schemes to bolster their positions. Nasdaq-listed Pacific Internet Ltd. fired the latest salvo by tying unlimited Internet access to a free PC this week, a move which analysts say is expected to boost its already set pole position in the domestic market. The company has launched a scheme to provide unlimited Internet access together with a free PC in conjunction with local computer manufacturer Neat Technology Pte. Ltd. New subscribers will just have to make a one-time, up-front payment of S$1,500 (US$882) and the unlimited access runs for a period of 15 months. A company spokeswoman said the offer works out to S$100 (US$59) per month, which its existing users already pay for unlimited access. Hence, when they sign up for 15 months, they basically get the PC, valued at S$1,300 (US$765) , free, she said. The company_s offer starts Friday and will run for a period of six months. The deal was approved by Telecommunication Authority of Singapore, the country_s regulatory agency. The spokeswoman added that the latest offer is expected to boost its subscriber base by another 1,000 users a month, up from the current run-rate of 800 users. Moreover, the commitment by Pacific Internet to tie up with other PC makers will make its deals more attractive and offer users more choices in the coming months, she said. Also, the Internet joint venture between Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. and Keppel Telecom, which is currently awaiting its license from the authorities, has gone on a recruitment spree. The company took out a huge advertisement in the local daily papers recently, looking for staff in web designing, sales and systems engineering. The joint venture has said that it plans to expand in the ISP market in southeast Asia and China.