April 2020 is a significant milestone for StarHub; it marks the company’s 20th anniversary since launching commercial operations. Due to the current challenges that COVID-19 has brought upon the world, the company has halted celebrations and is instead, donating its 20th anniversary marketing budget of $200,000 to a more meaningful cause and further support the community. This initiative is in addition to the newly created StarHub Cares COVID-19 Fund supporting initiatives that help cushion the impact on healthcare staff, patients, lower-income seniors in rental flats and lower-income households.
As announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE), all primary, secondary, Pre-University and Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) students will be having full Home-Based Learning (HBL) from 8 April to 4 May. To support students in their HBL, StarHub will be sponsoring instantaneous mobile broadband connectivity to students from lower-income families who do not have access to broadband at home. Starting with 158 primary and secondary students this week, up to 550 students will stand to benefit from this initiative, which builds on MOE’s current efforts to support students in online learning.
StarHub’s Chief Executive, Peter Kaliaropoulos said, “20 years ago we launched StarHub in Singapore and heralded the arrival of an unprecedented challenger which redefined and elevated customer focus and innovation in the info-communications and media industry. 2020 is a milestone year for StarHub; a time for us to express our gratitude to all our customers and employees who contributed to creating a company of reference and one of the best brands In Singapore. At a time when individuals, businesses and the economy are facing unparalleled hardship, the right thing to do is to further support our community and donate our marketing funds set aside for our anniversary celebrations towards a very worthwhile cause.”
Students identified by MOE for this initiative will receive 4G dongles or MiFi routers with unlimited worry-free data powered by StarHub. The mobile broadband devices will be distributed from Monday, 6 April onwards. The additional connectivity support, paired with school devices, will enable these students to access online learning for HBL. This initiative will last for six months, to tide over the trying circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“StarHub is a firm believer that education is one of the greatest gifts that can be provided to the next generation, as it empowers them to rise above their circumstances and levels the playing field for them to excel in life. We are heartened that StarHub can utilise its expertise and services to help more students bridge the digital divide, as HBL begins across all schools nationwide,” added Mr Kaliaropoulos.
This latest support for students follows StarHub’s series of help measures for customers and the community impacted by COVID-19. For the more vulnerable people in the community, StarHub is disbursing funds from the newly created StarHub Cares COVID-19 Fund. The Fund, currently standing at over $750,000, comprises contributions from across the company – with StarHub Board of Directors contributing up to 10% of 2019 Director fees, the StarHub Senior Leadership Team contributing up to one month of salary, and voluntary contribution from StarHub employees. StarHub is matching all contributions dollar-for-dollar.
