To further boost business conduciveness in Singapore's infocomm market, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has today introduced a package of enhancements to its licensing and equipment registration frameworks.
Singapore, 21 July 2005 | For Immediate Release
Streamlined Requirements & Processes Offer Convenience & Savings
To further boost business conduciveness in Singapore's infocomm market, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has today introduced a package of enhancements to its licensing and equipment registration frameworks. The move will significantly simplify licensing and equipment registration requirements and processes which will offer infocomm licensees more convenience and cost and time savings.
Effective today, equipment suppliers for devices such as telephones, faxes and dial-up modems will no longer need to register their equipment with IDA or affix the compliance labels on the equipment. Six licence categories which do not require the use of radio frequencies have also been converted to lifetime licences, removing the need for licence renewals. IDA has also launched an online portal which makes it more convenient for suppliers and providers to register their telecommunication equipment and apply and pay for licences.
Mr Leong Keng Thai, IDA's Director-General (Telecoms), said, "This enhancement package seeks to remove unnecessary procedures and processes or reduce them in the face of a fast changing infocomm landscape. The cost and time savings achieved can then be passed on to users in the form of cheaper, better and wider range of infocomm product offerings."
Streamlined Equipment Registration Framework
Equipment suppliers were previously required to get their telecommunication and radio-communication equipment approved by IDA. Approval indicates that the equipment conforms to IDA's standards pertaining to network compatibility, users' safety and non-interference with radio-communications. Once the equipment is approved and registered with IDA, suppliers may affix the "Complies with IDA Standards" label on their equipment.
Simplification of Equipment Approval Schemes
To streamline its processes, IDA will no longer require simple single-line equipment such as telephones, faxes and dial-up modems to be registered with IDA before being sold for local use. This is primarily because, with the pervasiveness of such equipment in the market, the global standards for such technologies are quite established and stable. As a result of this move, such equipment need not be affixed with IDA?s compliance labels. However, as an option, suppliers who wish to continue affixing the IDA compliance labels can register their single-line equipment with IDA.
Suppliers are still required to register with IDA, more complex multi-line telecommunication devices and high-powered radio communication devices such as PABX1 and WBA2 equipment respectively. They will also need to affix IDA's compliance labels as proof that the equipment conforms to IDA's standards. With the streamlining of IDA's equipment approval process, IDA will reduce its approval charges accordingly. Suppliers stand to save between S$250 to S$800 and up to 7 days in processing time per equipment model.
Suppliers of IDA-registered equipment are now given the added flexibility of affixing the labels either on the equipment itself, its packaging or in the accompanying manual. For more details of IDA's enhanced equipment approval schemes, please refer to Annex A (143.50KB).
Simplified Licensing Processes & Requirements
Lifetime Licensing for Six Licence Categories
IDA will implement lifetime licensing for six licence categories which do not require the use of radio frequencies. These categories include Services-Based Operator (Class) Licence, Dealers (Class) Licence and Telecommunication Wiring Installer Licence. Previously, these six categories needed to be renewed every three or five years at a cost of between S$30 - S$200. This change will remove the need for licence-renewal by requiring applicants to register and/or pay a fee only once for the licence. This offers licence-holders convenience and cost-savings in the long term. For a summary of changes and the full list of licence categories affected, please refer to Annex B (37.50KB) of this media release.
Revised Requirement for Provision of Prepaid Telecom Services
Previously, IDA required a Service-Based Operator to submit a S$100,000 Banker's Guarantee to IDA if the company intends to collect financial deposits from or sell prepaid cards to customers. The Banker's Guarantee requirement will now be replaced by a minimum paid-up capital requirement of the same amount at the point of licence application. This change reflects the maturity of Singapore's infocomm market since it was liberalised five years ago.
To help consumers make more informed decisions, IDA will also be listing on its website, information such as the address, hotline enquiry number and when the prepaid service provider commenced operations. Consumers can find out more about the service providers online before purchasing prepaid services.
Launch of Online Licensing Portal
Finally, IDA is also launching its Telecom Licensing System (TLS) Portal today. The TLS is an online portal which allows suppliers and providers to register their telecommunication equipment and apply and pay for licences via the Internet conveniently. Registered users can also self-update their particulars anytime of the day using either their SingPass3 password or an IDA-issued ID4 and password. The TLS can be accessed at https://eservice.ida.gov.sg/tls/login.action.
For more information on IDA's various equipment registration and licensing enhancements, please refer to the IDA website (www.ida.gov.sg) under the Policy & Regulation webpages.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
1PABX: Private Automatic Branch Exchange.
2WBA: Wireless Broadband Access High devices e.g. equipment based on the WiMAX, IP Wireless, SOMA Network etc standards.
3SingPass is a common password used to transact with different government online services. Users can register for one on the eCitizen website at www.singpass.gov.sg.
4IDA will issue a TLS ID for users who are not eligible for SingPass such as non-Singaporeans, Permanent Residents or Employment Pass holders or Dependant Pass holders. Users can request for such User ID and password via the TLS.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies.
For media clarification, please contact:
Ms Noraizah Zainal Abidin
Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Fax: +65 6211-2227
Email: noraizah@imda.gov.sg
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