Recognising infocomm as a strategic enabler for social and economic growth, Singapore launched its 10-year infocomm masterplan, the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) in June 2006. Since then, aggressive ground work for Singapore's Infocomm-enabled future is setting the stage for a whole new digital world of possibilities and opportunities by 2015.
Singapore, 19 June 2007 | For Immediate Release
Infocomm Industry Chalked Up S$45.4 Billion In Revenue
Recognising infocomm as a strategic enabler for social and economic growth, Singapore launched its 10-year infocomm masterplan, the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) in June 2006. Since then, aggressive ground work for Singapore's Infocomm-enabled future is setting the stage for a whole new digital world of possibilities and opportunities by 2015.
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Lee Boon Yang said this morning at his keynote address at the official launch of the week-long Infocomm and Media Business Exchange (imbX) event: "Last year, I told you about Singapore's ICT Masterplan iN2015. Since then, a number of programmes and initiatives had been rolled out collectively by the Government and industry to implement the iN2015 Masterplan... We have made progress. But this is still early days and we have much to be done."
Singapore on the Infocomm World Map
The global community has already started to take notice of Singapore's infocomm-related strides since the launch of iN2015 a year ago to turn the nation into an intelligent nation, and global city, powered by infocomm.
In several global rankings, Singapore has emerged among the top. The latest is Accenture's e-government study, "Leadership in Customer Service: Delivering on the Promise", which placed Singapore 1st among 22 countries, ahead of Canada and the United States of America.
A More Vibrant Infocomm and Telecoms Scene
Today, the infocomm sector in Singapore is witnessing an all-time high in revenue growth. Total revenue hit S$45.4 billion to represent a 20 per cent growth from 2005 to 2006. Out of this total revenue, export accounted for S$28.98 billion (or 64 per cent).
Singapore's infocomm pool grew 7.5 per cent to 119,700 in 2006. The talent pool was also more qualified; 83 per cent received tertiary education.
In 2006, almost all enterprises (with 250 employees or more) have established Web presence, as well as used the Internet and broadband in 2006. On the consumer front, some 68.4 per cent households were on broadband in 2006, while 88 per cent of homes with school-going children owned computers.
Moving to the telecoms scene, businesses offered breakthrough broadband service plans, with the introduction of HSDPA (3.5G), WiMAX services, and VoIP. Consumers not only enjoyed more options, but also cheered to basic broadband prices (unlimited, 512kbps plans) as low as S$22.90.
Chains of Digital Possibilities
iN2015 is helping to shape Singapore's Infocomm-enabled future today. One of the bedrocks of the masterplan is the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure project. The development of an ultra-high speed wired network and a pervasive wireless network can lead to a host of benefits for consumers and businesses. The Wireless@SG network, with 3,400 hot spots spread across the island today, lets its 428,000 subscribers enjoy always-on and free connections to the Internet. Businesses have also found that the wireless network expands the possibilities in how they can reach their customers.
As this Next-Gen infrastructure grows, the chain of digital possibilities through iN2015 will only gain momentum. Being a living plan, it will continue to evolve as the Government, together with the industry and the people, work towards its implementation, all the while taking into consideration the socio-economic and technology changes in the years ahead.
Dr Lee announced two new initiatives under iN2015 this morning, targeting two key areas: tourism and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The Digital Concierge (DC) is a new initiative that will soon allow everyone to enjoy the perks of having a 'personal concierge'. The DC will leverage Singapore's new anytime-anywhere Internet Wi-Fi access or the available cellular network, to offer personalised and location-based services such as recommendations on where to go, where to eat and what to do. Through DC, the tourism sector can also leverage the latest technology to market and provide better service to their customers. When fully implemented next year, the Digital Concierge service will support the national Tourism 2015 goal of achieving 17 million in visitor arrivals and S$30 billion in tourism receipts. (Details in Digital Concierge fact sheet (59.20KB))
In the race to the digital future, iN2015 also seeks to ensure that infocomm will truly be for everyone. The plan is mindful of those who may not have ready access to infocomm, and may not be able to afford or realise its benefits. For instance, there are SMEs here who have yet to tap into infocomm. iN2015, in its plans to ensure everyone moves ahead together, has devised an Infocomm@SME programme to address that. For a start, an SME Infocomm Resource Centre has been set up to help SMEs leverage commonly used applications such as e-mail, IP-Telephony (Skype), anti-spyware and anti-virus. In addition, by end 2007, SMEs can also enjoy discounts of up to S$30 for domain name registration. (Details in Infocomm@SME fact sheet (115.54KB))
As Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of IDA Singapore, said: "We will continue to drive iN2015 together with the People, Public and Private sectors, for a mutually beneficial ICT-empowered future. Everyone should be able to realise the possibilities and benefits of the digital life. One year on, and we're closer already to becoming an Intelligent Nation, a global city, powered by Infocomm." (Details in Updates to Singapore's 10-year infocomm masterplan - iN2015 fact sheet (114.21KB))
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Related Links:
- Keynote Address By Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister For Information, Communications & The Arts, At The Official Opening Of The Infocomm Media Business Exchange (imbX) 2007
- Singapore Tops Accenture 2007 Ranking of Government Customer Service
2006 Surveys
- Infocomm Industry Survey for 2006
- Infocomm Manpower Survey for 2006 (40.32KB)
- Business Infocomm Usage Survey for 2006 (41.38KB)
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 more news and information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/.
For media clarification, please contact:
Mr HO Ka Wei
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Email: ho_ka_wei@imda.gov.sg
Ms HO Hwei Ling
Assistant Director, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1996
Fax: +65 6211 2227
Email: ho_hwei_ling@imda.gov.sg
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