Singapore is well-plugged into the process of developing a secure and trusted next generation ICT network since it launched its 10-year infocomm masterplan last year to turn the country into an Intelligent Nation b 2015 (iN2015).
Since then, aggressive ground work for Singapore's infocomm-enabled future is setting the stage for a whole new digital world of possibilities and opportunities in the coming decade.
Giving an update on the various programmes and initiatives that had been rolled up collectively by the government and industry to implement the iN2015 vision, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communciations and Arts (Mica) said at the opening of the Infocomm Media Business Exchange (IMBX) this morning: "Since then, a number of programmes and initiatives had been rolled out collectively by the Government and industry to implement the iN2015 Masterplan?. We have made progress. But this is still early days and we have much to be done."
Singapore's infocomm-related strides have already been noticed by the global community.
According to IDA, Singapore has emerged among the top in several global rankings. In the latest of such reports - Accenture's e-government study, "Leadership in Customer Service: Delivering on the Promise" - Singapore ranked 1st among 22 countries, ahead of Canada and the US.
IDA also says that the infocomm sector in Singapore is witnessing an "all-time high in revenue growth".
According to the government agency:
Total revenue hit S$45.4 billion to represent a 20 per cent growth from 2005 to 2006. Out of this total revenue, export accounted for S$28.98 billion (or 64 per cent).
Singapore's infocomm pool grew 7.5 per cent to 119,700 in 2006. The talent pool was also more qualified; 83 per cent received tertiary education.
In 2006, almost all enterprises (with 250 employees or more) have established Web presence, as well as used the Internet and broadband in 2006.
On the consumer front, some 68.4 per cent households were on broadband in 2006, while 88 per cent of homes with school-going children owned computers.
On the telecoms scene, businesses offered breakthrough broadband service plans, with the introduction of HSDPA ( 3.5G), WiMAX services, and VoIP. Consumers not only enjoyed more options, but also cheered to basic broadband prices (unlimited, 512kbps plans) as low as S$22.90.
One of the bedrocks of iN2015 is the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure project.
The Wireless@SG network, with 3,400 hot spots spread across the island today, enables its 428,000 subscribers enjoy always-on and free connections to the Internet. This means a wider reach for businesses to their customers.
IDA calls the infrastructure effort "a living plan", promising that it will continue to evolve as the Government, together with the industry and the people, work towards its implementation.
Dr Lee also announced two new initiatives under iN2015 this morning, targeting two key areas:
Tourism:
The Digital Concierge (DC) is a new initiative that will soon allow everyone to enjoy the perks of having a 'personal concierge'.
The DC will leverage Singapore's new anytime-anywhere Internet Wi-Fi access or the available cellular network, to offer personalised and location-based services such as recommendations on where to go, where to eat and what to do.
Through DC, the tourism sector can also leverage the latest technology to market and provide better service to their customers.
When fully implemented next year, the Digital Concierge service will support the national Tourism 2015 goal of achieving 17 million in visitor arrivals and S$30 billion in tourism receipts.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs):
In the race to the digital future, iN2015 also seeks to ensure that infocomm will truly be for everyone. The plan is mindful of those who may not have ready access to infocomm, and may not be able to afford or realise its benefits.
For instance, there are SMEs here who have yet to tap into infocomm. iN2015, in its plans to ensure everyone moves ahead together, has devised an Infocomm@SME programme to address that.
For a start, an SME Infocomm Resource Centre has been set up to help SMEs leverage commonly used applications such as e-mail, IP-Telephony (Skype), anti-spyware and anti-virus.
In addition, by end 2007, SMEs can also enjoy discounts of up to S$30 for domain name registration.
Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of IDA Singapore, said: "We will continue to drive iN2015 together with the People, Public and Private sectors, for a mutually beneficial ICT-empowered future. Everyone should be able to realise the possibilities and benefits of the digital life. One year on, and we're closer already to becoming an Intelligent Nation, a global city, powered by Infocomm."
