Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, announced at the opening of imbX 2007 that Singapore’s growth in the infocomm sectors has been healthy.
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Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Lee Boon Yang announced at his keynote address at the official launch of imbX 2007 that Singapore is witnessing an all-time high in revenue growth for the infocomm industries, with total revenue hitting S$45.4 billion to represent a 20 per cent growth from 2005 to 2006. Out of the total revenue, export accounted for S$28.98 billion (or 64 per cent), while the domestic market accounted for $16.4 billion as compared to $15.8 billion in 2005.
"From the infrastructure angle, we are well into the process of developing a secure and trusted next generation ICT network. This network with wired and wireless components will enable broadband internet access anytime and anywhere," said Dr Lee.. With the launch of the Wireless@SG programme, more than 3,400 wireless hot spots have been deployed in Singapore with another 1,600 being added by September this year.
"For the wired component, twelve companies and consortia have been pre-qualified to build Singapore's Next Generation National Broadband Network. When it is ready in 2012, this network will be capable of speeds of at least 1 Gigabits per second and of supporting bandwidth-intensive applications decades into the future," added Dr Lee. The ultra high speed network will also accelerate the research and development of innovative applications and solutions for both business users and consumers, he said.
On the international front, awareness of Singapore's infocomm-related progress since the launch of iN2015 has been on the rise. In several global rankings, Singapore has emerged among the top. For example, Accenture's e-government study, Leadership in Customer Service: Delivering on the Promise, placed Singapore 1st among 22 countries, ahead of Canada and the United States of America. Accenture noted Singapore's edge in engaging its citizens and developing service models that are citizen-centric.
At home, Singapore's infocomm pool had grown 7.5 per cent to 119,700 in 2006. The talent pool was also more qualified; with 83 per cent having received tertiary education. In 2006, almost all enterprises (with 250 employees or more) have established their Web presence, as well as used the Internet and broadband. For Internet connectivity, 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 as basic broadband prices tumbled to (unlimited, 512kbps plans) as low as S$22.90. Some 68.4 per cent households were on broadband in 2006, while 88 per cent of homes with school-going children owned computers.
Dr Lee gets a preview of the new Digital Concierge service, which will provide visitors with mobile information and services on local attractions, tourist information and location-based services. |
Dr Lee also announced two new initiatives under iN2015 at imbX: the Digital Concierge and Infocomm@SME. The Digital Concierge (DC) is a joint initiative by IDA and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to leverage on Wireless@SG 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. When fully implemented next year, the DC service will support the national Tourism 2015 goal of achieving 17 million in visitor arrivals and S$30 billion in tourism receipts.
The Infocomm@SME programme will address SMEs by equipping them with ICT know-how and allowing them explore the latest ICT technologies and solutions to transform and enhance their businesses. To begin with, SMEs can get assistance when they visit the SME Infocomm Resource Centre at Singapore Polytechnic. They can get advice on commonly-used applications such as e-mail, IP telephony, anti-spyware and anti-virus.
Dr Lee said: "By end 2007, business registration will seamlessly be integrated with simultaneous domain name registration to facilitate the online presence of our SMEs. IDA and SPRING will provide up to S$5 million from the Technology Innovation Programme (TIP) for innovation and growth for SMEs under the Infocomm@SME Programme."
As Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of IDA, 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."
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Singapore ranked ahead of Canada and USA in Accenture 2007 study on "Leadership in Customer Service". |
The Singapore government is ranked number one in an Accenture 2007 study on "Leadership in Customer Service". Accenture noted that Singapore edged in engaging its citizens and developing service models that are citizen-centric. Singapore is also substantially ahead of the other 22 countries Accenture ranked including USA and Denmark, in terms of proactive communication and education to its citizens.
This year, Accenture introduced a new element to its ranking - the voice of the citizen. It took into account feedback from citizens on the quality of government services and how satisfied they were with the services.
Singapore has a strong edge over the other countries when citizen feedback was gathered. Nearly eight out of 10 Singaporeans feel that government service has gotten better over the past three years. In Canada on the other hand, only four out of 10 felt that their government service has gotten better.
Accenture also noted that Singapore has exhibited strength in multichannel integration with a clear intent to continue to push citizens toward efficient online channels such as mobile channels. Currently, citizens and businesses have mobile access to about 150 government services. The government aims to have at least 300 mobile government services by 2008.
Commenting on Singapore's achievement, Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of the IDA Singapore said, "We are encouraged to learn that the Singapore government is ranked best in customer service delivery by Accenture. A paradigm shift is required for government service delivery in view of the changing needs of our customers today. Personalisation and mobility are key considerations when it comes to delivering customer-centric services to citizens and businesses. The government will continue to collaborate with the private and people sectors to further enhance government service delivery. By 2010, we envision a government that intelligently addresses customers' needs and delivers quality services that delight them."
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True Number Portability solution is expected to be ready by the second quarter of 2008 |
Singapore's move towards number portability began as early as 1997, when Mobile Number Portability was introduced via a Call Forwarding solution. In April 2000, Fixed Number Portability was launched. Today, Singapore is taking the next leap towards True Number Portability. The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) called for a RFP for a Centralised Database Administrator in November 2006. Six companies had put forth proposals on implementing and managing such a database system for True Number Portability. The proposals were evaluated on their technical merits, pricing and the company's expertise and track record.
In June 2007, Syniverse Technologies was appointed by IDA as the Centralised Database Administrator. Syniverse Technologies will hold a Services-Based Operator licence, and will have to adhere to the Telecoms Competition Code which sets out rules of competition and protects consumers' interests.
The True Number Portability solution, which is expected to be ready by the second quarter of 2008, will allow consumers to retain full use of their existing phone numbers, rather than having to update their contacts about a new one. In this way, consumers will have fewer concerns when deciding their most suitable telecoms service providers, and thus enjoy greater service choices as mobile and fixed line operators are spurred to offer more attractive packages to retain and earn new customers.
From 1 January 2008, consumers who wish to port their fixed line numbers will also no longer need to pay monthly recurring porting fees, just like how it has been for the porting of mobile numbers since 2003.
IDA Deputy Chief Executive and Director-General (Telecoms) Leong Keng Thai said, "Once True Number Portability kicks off, Singapore's telecoms market should expect to see even greater competition among the mobile and the fixed line operators. Consumers will be rewarded with greater choice and flexibility in mobile and fixed line services. Syniverse Technologies, being operator-neutral, will ensure open and non-discriminatory access to these central database services, and continue to support a playing field fair to all."
Syniverse Technologies will participate in the Number Portability Working Group, which was formed in August 2006, to oversee the implementation of the True Number Portability solution. For a start, it will work closely with the current working group members which comprise IDA and the fixed and mobile line operators, to develop the centralised database system that will inter-work with the operators' respective telecoms networks and backend systems.
Syniverse Technologies will be granted to operate the centralised database system for seven years starting with the launch of True Number Portability. Following its appointment, IDA will continue to monitor the roll-out of True Number Portability solution and work with Syniverse Technologies and the telecoms operators to facilitate implementation where necessary.
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