SingTel makes another mistake

The recent announcement that SingTel is to set up a regional mobile joint venture with Richard Branson's Virgin Group could be yet another mistake by the beleagured Singaporean telco. The cash-rich ex-monopoly is throwing money into an area where most anlaysts believe it has very little chance of success. The plan is to set up a regional cellular operation starting in Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea and then rolling out to India, China, Thailand and Malaysia. There are no signs how the JV will differentiate itself from the well extablished encumbents, nor who will finance the deal. But comments by Richard Branson at a recent press conference suggest that while his company will provide the brand, SingTel will provide the cash.