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.