Earthworks Requirements

Since 1 June 2019, earthworks contractors were given greater clarity on the requirements they have to comply with for projects which involve earthworks to be carried out in the vicinity of underground telecommunication cables, through the issuance of a standardised set of Earthworks Requirements.

The Earthworks Requirements include a 9-Step Process which needs to be complied with by the earthworks contractors before the commencement of earthworks, and are developed under the framework of IMDA regulations. The Earthworks Requirements were jointly developed by IMDA and the relevant Telcos through an industry consultation together with some major contractors.

These requirements aim to minimise the risk of telecommunication cable cut incidents, which have been a leading cause of telecommunication service disruptions in recent years, and to provide greater clarity for both Telcos and earthworks contractors in terms of the requirements to be adopted.

The industry is to ensure compliance with the following 9-Step Process and the Earthworks Requirements so as to prevent damage to underground telecommunication cables.

Earthworks Requirements – Version 3 (364.81KB)

• Step 1: Obtain service layout plan from Telco
• Step 2: Engage Licensed Telecommunication Cable Detection Worker (“TCDW”) to carry out cable detection work
• Step 3: Submit Notice for Commencement of Earthworks (“NCE”) to Telco
• Step 4: Conduct Joint Site Meeting
• Step 5: Obtain Conditional Approval for Digging of Trial Holes from Telco
• Step 6: Dig Trial Holes to ascertain exact location / route of telecommunication cables
• Step 7: Conduct Joint Trial Holes Inspection
• Step 8: Submit Application for Final Approval for Commencement of Earthworks to Telco
• Step 9: Obtain Final Approval for Commencement of Earthworks from Telco

Click on the links below to view the hi-res infographic in your preferred languages to better understand the 9-step process.

• Infographic on Earthworks Requirements (English and Tamil) (4.25MB)
• Infographic on Earthworks Requirements (Chinese and Bengali) (2.63MB)

The industry including earthworks contractors and workers (both local and foreign).

For more information, please contact us at 6377 3800 or email us at info@imda.gov.sg.

List of telecommunication system licensees to be consulted/notified for earthwork

Contractors can obtain the service layout plans, administration procedures and form for submission of notice of commencement of earthworks from the following telecommunication system licensees.