Advancing Singapore’s 6G future and talent, IMDA partners SUTD to launch the first 6G R&D lab in Southeast Asia

Singapore, 19 September 2022 – Singapore looks ahead to the next bound and aims to become a global node for 6G Research & Development. The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has partnered Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), one of the leading scientific research institutions in telecommunications, to advance Singapore’s future comms and connectivity capabilities and talent.

In preparation for Singapore’s 6G future, Minister for Communications and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo launched SUTD’s Future Communications Connectivity (FCC) Lab, the first physical 6G lab in the region that will also look to combine 6G R&D with SUTD’s AI Mega Centre. FCCLab will accelerate cutting-edge research of future communications technologies and will look to unlock breakthroughs in 6G research and support emerging technologies such as holographic communications and intelligent sensing capabilities to support the next generation of self-driving cars and drones.

Mr Lew Chuen Hong, Chief Executive, IMDA said, “The innovations of today are not possible without constant investment and keeping our eyes on the next bound. We are excited to partner SUTD to launch Southeast Asia’s first 6G Lab. This is the start of our efforts to tap into the promise of future communications tech and become a global node of excellence.”

SUTD president Professor Chong Tow Chong said, “SUTD is pleased to partner IMDA, to progress the industry’s research and educational institutions for talent development in Singapore’s wireless communications ecosystem. We look forward to accelerating the research translation of future communication technologies.”

Southeast Asia’s first 6G Lab

Situated at the SUTD campus, the FCCLab is part of Singapore’s S$70 million Future Communications Research & Development Programme (FCP). FCP is hosted by SUTD and supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), under its Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) efforts. Also supported by IMDA, the FCP will coordinate multidisciplinary research efforts across the RIE ecosystem, with Research Institutes (RIs), Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and other RIE efforts.

FCCLab Testbed will follow 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP¹) and Open RAN Standards to support easy evaluation of research outcomes. Network components can be individually replaced to facilitate targeted research.

FCP updates

As host institution, SUTD will lead collaborations across the Singapore ecosystem - Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), National University of Singapore (NUS), and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT).

Currently, 20 FCP grant projects has been awarded by SUTD for both research and translation. The research projects focus in the areas of multi-access edge computing, network orchestration, non-terrestrial networks, and security, while the translation projects are based on use cases with thematic focus on innovative mobility capabilities for air, land and sea applications.

To strengthen the pipeline of Singaporean talent, FCP has also supported 14 Masters-level scholarships for local students to pursue research and translations in future communications technologies.

Internationally, Singapore has already forged 6G partnerships with leading 6G institutions such as Finland’s 6G Flagship, and the Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences. Under the FCP programme, SUTD is also working with both local enterprises and MNCs.

^[1] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) refers to a group of standards organisations which develop protocols for mobile telecommunications

ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (IMDA)

About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook (IMDAsg) and Twitter (@IMDAsg)

About Singapore University of Technology and Design

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) is one of the first universities in the world to incorporate the art and science of design and technology into a truly holistic interdisciplinary education and research experience that culminates in real-world design innovations. SUTD seeks to advance knowledge and nurture technically grounded leaders and innovators to serve societal needs. SUTD also topped a list of emerging engineering schools in the world in a study commissioned by MIT. 

A research-intensive university, SUTD is distinguished by its unique East and West academic programmes that incorporate design thinking, human-centred innovation and entrepreneurship, coupled with local and international industry collaborations. SUTD’s key focus areas are Healthcare, Cities, Aviation and Sustainability, with Artificial Intelligence/Data Science and Digital Manufacturing capabilities across all of them. Multiple post-graduate opportunities are available. Skill-based professional education and training courses are also available at SUTD Academy. www.sutd.edu.sg

For media clarifications, please contact:

Aung Thi Ha (Mr)
Manager, Communications and Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 9338 2594
Email: aung_thi_ha@imda.gov.sg

Deborah Quek (Ms)
Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications, SUTD
DID: (65) 9796 4221
Email: deborahquek@sutd.edu.sg