Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) has become the first carrier
in the Asia Pacific region to facilitate the cross-border digital distribution
of a newly released film.
The new Hong Kong blockbuster movie, Infernal Affairs III, will be distributed
to Shaw Lido Cineplex in Singapore directly from Hong Kong, using SingTel's
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) service, in time for the movie’s Singapore
gala premiere on 10 December 2003.
About 80Gb video data will be transmitted digitally between the two cities via
SingTel’s international optic fibre network, and delivered directly to the
digital movie server at the Cineplex. Those attending the premiere can look
forward to experiencing the latest in digital cinema technology with enhanced
picture quality and sound.
Mr Thomas Yeo, SingTel’s Vice President of Corporate Business Marketing, said:
“This is the first time in Asia’s movie history that a film is distributed
digitally over a telecom carrier's international fibre optic network.
“Dispatching physical 35mm movie reels requires time and money from reel
duplication and courier costs. At the same time, movie distributors are exposed
to potential piracy risks as a result of the time lag. The quality of the film
may also suffer from repeated use of the reels.
“We see increasing use of digital movie distribution across the region and
SingTel, with its extensive pan-Asian infrastructure, is well placed to serve
the movie industry in this context.”
It is possible for American movie distributors to adopt this solution to
distribute their movies digitally from the United States to Asian countries
using SingTel’s ATM network which has a footprint that covers major cities in
the world.
Mr Yeo said: “SingTel is pleased to have played its part in the Singapore
premiere of Infernal Affairs III and we look forward to providing more
cutting-edge and innovative solutions to our customers in the media industry.
Our effort also supports Singapore’s development of its digital cinema industry
and its position as a media hub.”
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SingTel’s ATM service supports video, voice and data transmission over a single
communication network and is ideal for organisations that need robust and
resilient multi-site connections across boundaries.
Directed by Alan Mak and Andrew Lau, Infernal Affairs III stars Andy Lau, Kelly
Chen, Leon Lai and Tony Leung.
