Singtel announced financial support for impacted communities and extended a care package of services during the spread of coronavirus.
The Group has raised S$2 million collectively to help vulnerable groups in the community and frontline healthcare workers and volunteers.
The Singtel Touching Lives Fund, the Group’s flagship philanthropy programme, will channel this donation to 18 charities and social enterprises including S$500,000 to The Courage Fund and S$600,000 to various healthcare groups.
Chua Sock Koong, Singtel’s Group CEO, said in a statement, “As a homegrown company, we want to stand together with the broader community and keep them supported during this time.”
Singtel has been supporting and funding efforts by six SG Cares Volunteer Centres island-wide to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the community as part of the Singapore Cares movement to build a caring society. These funds go toward care pack distribution, meal deliveries, education on health and hygiene and the provision of medical escorts or transport.
Singtel’s Board of Directors have volunteered a 10 percent cut in fees for the upcoming financial year.
Singtel announced free services to support and sustain the wider public with effect from 1 April. These services range from free entertainment for the general public to business solutions for SMEs.
SMEs implementing work-from-home plans, remote working or split team arrangements will get six months free usage of productivity, collaboration and security tools. This will help them secure their communications and minimise disruption to business operations, Singtel said.
With many SMEs experiencing a drop in customer traffic at their physical stores, they will also get free access to Singtel’s 99sme.sg e-marketplace where they can set up their online shops, build a digital presence and continue to reach consumers.
All residents will get three months free access to Singtel’s CAST streaming app and its most popular entertainment and education channels including Discovery, Asian Food Network, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.
Singtel TV customers will also enjoy free access to 30 channels such as AXN, CNBC, Discovery Asia and KBS World on Singtel TV and Singtel TV GO.
All Singtel mobile customers will enjoy data-free messaging on WhatsApp to make it easier for them to stay in touch with friends and family. Free 30-day COVID-19 insurance coverage by Income will also be extended to new and existing prepaid customers.
