iN2015 Raises Infocomm Use In Singapore Economy, Society

17 June 2008 – Opening Remarks By RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore At The iN2015 Media Conference On 17 June 2008, 10.30am At The Singapore Expo, Hall 3, Room K

Opening Remarks By RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore At The iN2015 Media Conference On 17 June 2008, 10.30am At The Singapore Expo, Hall 3, Room K

Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning, everyone.

1. I am glad that you can make it for this media conference, and my colleagues and I are happy to have the chance to share with you in some detail, the progress that we have made and new initiatives that IDA is launching today, under iN2015, Singapore's 10-year infocomm masterplan. We would be happy to answer your questions during the Q&A session later.

2. This morning, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications, and the Arts, highlighted the growth of the infocomm industry over the past year. Based on the Annual Survey on Infocomm Industry for 2007 conducted by IDA, he noted that the industry scored a double-digit growth of 13.8 per cent in revenue to reach S$51.68 billion, up from S$45.4 billion in 2006. Similar to 2006, our companies did well in exporting their capabilities, and export revenue increased from S$28.98 billion in 2006 to S$33.56 billion in 2007. It also continued to account for the bulk of the infocomm industry revenue, with a 65 per cent share.

3. This growth in infocomm industry revenue is supported by the increase in infocomm usage among Singaporeans. Today, 92 per cent of our households¹ with school-going children own a computer, according to IDA's latest Annual Survey on Infocomm Usage in Households and Individuals. If you recall, one of our iN2015 goal is for 100 per cent computer ownership in homes with schoolgoing kids. Also, increasingly we see households owning more than onecomputer.

4. The majority of our population has hopped on the digital bandwagon, and it is also critical for businesses to be on the same wave, so that they can connect with, better meet the needs of and serve these IT-savvy customers.

5. We have sought feedback from our small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and they have shared that cost and complexity are the main deterrents for them to adopt infocomm. Under IDA's initiative called SME Infocomm Package, they can now purchase affordable infocomm solutions tailored to their needs and enjoy one-stop support. IDA has appointed three companies out of 31 proposals received under a CFC issued last year, to offer the SME Infocomm Package. They are DP Bureau, iCELL Network, and SingTel. IDA will also provide a subsidy to 5,000 SMEs who are developing a web presence for the first time.

6. The SME Infocomm Package will offer packaged solutions, one-stop customer support and affordable pricing across a range of IT applications and services, from broadband connectivity, office productivity tools, to sector specific applications like online reservation systems for F&B and mobile learning ondemand for the education sector.

7. For businesses and consumers to confidently access and use infocomm in their daily lives to learn, work and play, the environment in which infocomm services are offered must be a secure and trusted one. This is especially important as more mainstream services are offered online. User-IDs and passwords alone will increasingly be insufficient to address online identity risks.

8. There is thus a need for a more rigorous process of verifying online identities, such as through the use of 2-Factor Authentication. Towards this end, IDA is leading the development of a S$20 million National Authentication Framework. The NAF would provide another layer of security that would give consumers a convenient and consistently strong authentication experience. Under this nationwide platform, consumers will have the choice of different authentication methods or devices, any one of which can be used to access multiple online services offered by both the private and public sectors. This will give consumers both assurance and convenience. IDA plans to issue a CFC in the second half of this year to develop this nationwide authentication framework.

9. Last year, IDA had also said that Singapore is exploring a National Grid that will offer computing, storage facilities and software on a pay-per-use basis. This means that businesses, including SMEs, no longer need to fork out hefty sums to buy servers and IT resources. The National Grid is going to make IT much more affordable and accessible to all. Through a Call-For-Collaboration, IDA sought grid service providers who could help develop the National Grid. Today, IDA is pleased to award the consortia led by Singapore Computer Systems, New Media Express and PTC System as the National Grid Service Providers. By the end of 2008, SMEs can look forward to a range of commercial Grid services. My colleague, Dr Lee Hing Yan, will tell you more about the National Grid and its coming attractions shortly.

10. Last but not least, Minister also announced the launch of the Digital Marketplace Programme that will spark significant change for Singapore's Digital Media and Entertainment sector. The Programme will develop a trusted and conducive environment for firms to manage, distribute and trade digital media assets such as movies, video programmes, music and mobile content, through and from Singapore. Under the Connected Games programme, IDA seeks to accelerate games development and build a regional hub for games developers to distribute their products globally. My colleague, Mr Thomas Lim, will give a presentation on these two initiatives for the Digital Media and Entertainmentsector next, and you will hear more about them.

11. With the wheels set in motion for strengthening our infocomm security, and a slew of initiatives to help economic sectors, including SMEs, to adopt infocomm to enhance competitiveness, I am confident that Singapore's infocomm industry will continue to be a vibrant one.

12. On that note, I would like next to let my colleagues share with you in greater detail, the key programmes that we have launched today.

Notes to the Editor

¹ Home computer penetration among households with school-going children increased from 88 per cent in 2006 to 92 per cent in 2007.

17 June 2008 – Opening Remarks By RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore At The iN2015 Media Conference On 17 June 2008, 10.30am At The Singapore Expo, Hall 3, Room K

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iN2015 Raises Infocomm Use In Singapore Economy, Society

17 June 2008 – Opening Remarks By RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore At The iN2015 Media Conference On 17 June 2008, 10.30am At The Singapore Expo, Hall 3, Room K

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