15 June 2007 - Speech By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry Of Information, Communications and The Arts, And Foreign Affairs At The Frost And Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards, The Shangri-La Hotel. Delivered By Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore.
Speech By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State, Ministry Of Information, Communications and The Arts, And Foreign Affairs At The Frost And Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards on 15 June 2007, The Shangri-La Hotel. Delivered By Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore.
Mr Aroop Zutshi, Senior Partner and Member of the Board of Frost and Sullivan,
Mr Manoj Menon, Partner of Frost and Sullivan,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I am indeed very sorry for not being able to attend this evening’s event. I am overseas. Nevertheless, I want to convey my heartiest congratulations to all the recipients of the 2007 Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards.
2. The Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards is held annually to recognise outstanding performance by companies and individuals in the ICT industry in Asia Pacific.
3. We all recognise that ICT is not just a key enabler but also provides the competitive edge for our businesses. Recognising this, the Singapore Government continues to invest in world-class information technology systems.
4. Singapore must be a leader in embracing the digital age. The Intelligent Nation 2015 infocomm masterplan was launched by IDA in June last year. We intend to invest $4billion in this sector. Over the next 10 years, iN2015 will transform the way we live, work, play and learn.
5. Pervasive high-speed networks are no longer a luxury but an essential infrastructure for our next phase of economic development. We must prepare the infrastructure for future needs, and we will do so in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
6. In December 2006, we launched the first component of the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure or NGNII. This is the nationwide Wireless Broadband Network called Wireless@SG. With this wireless infrastructure, we have free access to some 2,800 hotspots around Singapore today. This number is expected to increase to 5000 hotspots by September 2007. Wireless@SG will enable businesses, especially local SMEs, to provide new services on this platform.
7. We are also enhancing the wired component of the NGNII. We aim to develop a Next Generation National Broadband Network that can provide affordable broadband at ultra-high speeds of 1Gbps or more, for 95 percent of all homes and businesses, by 2012. The InfoComm Development Authority has prequalified12 bidders, comprising both local and international companies, in preparation for a formal Request for Proposal later this year.
8. I would like to urge all businesses to explore and harness the potential of infocomm to stay relevant and competitive. The next generation wired and wireless infrastructure will open the doors to new business opportunities and social well-being of the nation.
9. Finally, I would like to congratulate Frost and Sullivan for organising another successful event to recognise the excellent performers in the ICT industry. Once again, I convey my congratulations to all recipients of the Frost and Sullivan Asia Pacific ICT Awards. Keep on with the good work of harnessing and exploiting ICT in your organisation.
10. Thank you.
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