RADM Ronnie Tay to join IDA as CEO
from November

Come November, there will be change of leadership at the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Chan Yeng Kit passes the baton to Rear Admiral (RADM) Ronnie Tay.

RADM Tay: I look forward to joining IDA, and being involved in the exciting and fast-growing infocomm sector.

On his appointment to the IDA, RADM Tay said, “I look forward to joining IDA, and being involved in the exciting and fast-growing infocomm sector, as well as promoting the use of infocomm to make a positive impact for Singapore.”

Mr Chan: I am privileged to have led the team at IDA to champion the transforming power of infocomm.

Mr Chan Yeng Kit, who has served as IDA CEO since 3 January 2005, will be returning to the Administrative Service for another posting after attending the Advanced Management Programme at The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania.

During his tenure at IDA, Mr Chan led the development of the Intelligent Nation 2015 or iN2015 masterplan. During this time, the infocomm industry recorded an all-time high growth, with total revenue reaching S$45.4 billion in 2006.

Under Mr Chan’s leadership, IDA rolled out various initiatives to develop infrastructure and promote the local infocomm industry and greater infocomm adoption in sectors such as the Government, healthcare, education and tourism. One notable initiative is Wireless@SG, where users can enjoy free Internet access from some 5,600 hotspots throughout the island, thus making Singapore one of the first cities in the world to enjoy such pervasive public wireless access. This is also part of the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure, where together with the deployment of ultra high speed wired broadband network, Singapore will offer a seamless and intelligent infocomm infrastructure that will enable the country to gain a competitive edge in an increasingly globalised and connected world.

“It has been an exciting journey these last three years, continuing the pioneering efforts started in the 1980s to use infocomm technologies for Singapore’s economic and social development,” said Mr Chan. “I am privileged to have led the team at IDA to champion the transforming power of infocomm. I am also grateful to have had the tremendous support from the industry and our partners, which contributed to our many achievements.”

• Media release: 10 September 2007 – New CEO for IDA

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has announced a proposed regulatory framework for devices using Ultra-WideBand (UWB) technology. The move is aimed at bolstering business certainty for UWB players by facilitating the entry of UWB devices in Singapore and enabling businesses and consumers to enjoy the benefits of the nascent technology.

UWB is a wireless technology that works by broadcasting signals over a large spectrum. This allows for very high-speed data transfer - up to 480 Mbps - a rate that surpasses all the consumer wireless technologies available today. UWB is also valued for its low power consumption, making it particularly suited for applications in portable wireless consumer electronics such as digital cameras, mobile phones and laptops. Commercially, it can also be used in asset tagging and tracking, and for anti-collision systems for vehicles.

UWB is suited for applications ranging from portable wireless consumer electronics to vehicle collision avoidance.

Under the proposed framework, which is expected to be gazetted by the end of the year, UWB devices that comply with IDA’s technical specifications and emission limits will be exempted from licensing. This will allow keen industry players to develop and commercialise UWB devices with greater ease. Generally, most UWB consumer products from places like Japan and Europe can enter the Singapore market without the need for a licence. Users of UWB devices that operate out of the emission limits will be allowed, but only by exception on a case-by-case basis and is subject to IDA’s licence approval, so as to safeguard existing radio-communication services.

In developing the UWB regulatory framework, IDA aimed to balance the need to facilitate adoption of the emerging technology with the need to ensure that it does not interfere or disrupt existing radio-communication services. The framework defines a set of technical specifications and operating conditions for UWB devices, and is aligned with international standards such as those set by Europe’s Electronic Communications Committee.

IDA Deputy Chief Executive and Director-General (Telecoms) Leong Keng Thai said the proposed framework will enable UWB players to deploy this emerging technology in Singapore easily. “It will open up new avenues of growth for our infocomm sector. We can expect the introduction and eventual proliferation of UWB applications to bring about greater benefits for consumers and businesses, with its qualities of fast data transfer at low power and cost.”

• Press Release: Singapore proposed regulatory framework for Ultra-WideBand technology
• Industry briefing on Singapore's proposed UWB regulatory framework
• Regulatory framework for devices using Ultra-Wideband technology

To boost the profile of Singapore infocomm companies in the Middle East, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) recently led a 12-company contingent to the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (Gitex) 2007, the region’s premier ICT event in Dubai.

This is part of IDA’s industry development efforts to help local companies initiate entry into the Middle East. “IDA’s role is to support these companies and assist them in discovering new markets,” said Mr Shaik Umar, Centre Director of IDA, Middle East.

The Infocomm Singapore pavilion at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition 2007 in Dubai.

One of the companies making its debut was Ecquaria Technologies (www.ecquaria.com), which showcased its next generation Integrated Government (iGov) solutions based on its flagship software infrastructure, the Ecquaria Service-Oriented Platform.

"We are very pleased to participate in the Infocomm Singapore Pavilion where we are looking forward to showcase our iGov solutions, share our experience and exchange our expertise with the Middle East governments and partners," said Dr Foong Wai Keong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ecquaria. Other companies which exhibited under the Infocomm Singapore Pavilion included:

• AcceVal (www.acceval-asia.com), a consulting and independent software company specialising in pricing solutions;
• Amdon Consulting Group (www.cool-science.net), which provides interactive content and inquiry-based teaching resources;
• CrimsonLogic (www.crimsonlogic.com), which delivers eGovernment solutions in trade facilitation and customs, judiciary, tax, healthcare, and IT security;
• HAN Technology (www.hantechnology.com.sg), which provides security solutions that protect against data loss, system threats and Internet abuse;
• i-Sprint (www.i-sprint.com), which provides integrated enterprise-class security solutions especially in the area of Identity Access Management;
• MicroUsability (www.microusability.com), a regional user-centred research, testing and design firm;
• PrivyLink (www.privylink.com.sg), an advanced security R&D house in Singapore;
• RadianTrust (www.radiantrust.com), which offers security solutioning as well as consulting and IT security services;
• StarVision (www.starvisionit.com), which provides e-business solutions encompassing enterprise systems and location-based services;
• TalariaX (www.talariax.com), a mobile applications developer focusing on SMS, MMS and 3G technologies; and
• Telogic (www.telogic.com.sg), which provides a core network Value Added Services (VAS) platform for telecommunication service operators.

The Singapore Pavilion was a success, said Mr Shaik Umar. “Private and public sectors organisations as well as government entities across the region have expressed significant interest in partnering with us. With projects currently in Bahrain and Oman, we look forward to discovering more exciting opportunities in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) market.”

The Wireless@SG Wi-Fi Finder will be helpful for people on the move, who may want to get Internet access.

Previously, users needed to be online to locate the Wireless@SG hotzones or hotspots but with this application, they will be able to find out where to get wireless Internet access no matter where they are in Singapore. This will be especially helpful for people on the move, who may want to get Internet access.

The Wireless@SG Wi-Fi Finder application includes a search function which allows users to search for coverage areas by keywords or by locations. Users can also update the coverage data in the application when they are online. Currently, the application is available on the Windows XP/Vista and MacOS platforms, but users can expect versions that will support mobile devices in the near future.

Wireless@SG is a wireless broadband programme developed by the Infocomm Development Authority as part of its Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure initiative. It is being run by three local wireless operators who have deployed a Wi-Fi network in Singapore, giving users free indoor and outdoor wireless broadband access at most public areas. There are currently over 520,000 subscribers for the free 512 kbps Wireless@SG service.

The Wireless@SG Wi-Fi Finder application can be downloaded here.

* For more information on Wireless@SG, visit wireless.singaporeinfocomm.sg

Mr Pham (left) receiving the scholarship award from IDA’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Chan Yeng Kit.

For Vietnamese student Mr Pham Viet Hung, the quest to become one of the best professionals in the infocomm industry has led him to Singapore. “Studying in Singapore has given me an excellent opportunity to gain important domain knowledge and stay competitive in the digitally-driven economy,” said Mr Pham, who was one of the 39 recipients of the National Infocomm Scholarships (NIS).

With a record number of applications and corporate sponsors, this year’s NIS has proven its draw in attracting top-notch talent to join the infocomm industry. Now in its fourth iteration, the scholarships drew 633 applicants and were sponsored by 21 public and private sector organisations.

Presented by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore in collaboration with participating companies, the NIS aims to make infocomm a top career choice among top students. It offers students a unique opportunity to do a six-month attachment and mentorship with their sponsoring companies at their overseas offices or research facilities in the final year of undergraduate study. Mr Pham, for example, will be attached to SingTel as part of the scholarship programme.

Another scholar, Mr Ng Choon Guang, now a first year undergraduate in electrical engineering at the National University of Singapore, said, “I applied because I am interested in infocomm in the first place. The immediate funding will be helpful and I look forward to a satisfying job with Avaya at the end of my studies.”

Nine of the scholars will be pursuing two infocomm-related degrees – Bachelor and Master – under the fast-tracked flagship infocomm master’s programmes. Presently, there are three such programmes: the Singapore Management University-Carnegie Mellon University Fast Track Programme; the National University of Singapore-Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Centre Programme in Interactive Digital Media; and the Nanyang Technological University-Georgia Institute of Technology Integrated Programme.

The sponsors, too, were pleased with the calibre of this year’s candidates. “We have been sponsoring scholars for a couple of years and this year, we have three. The quality of students has gone up over the years and there is a broader diversity of candidates,” said Oracle Singapore’s Managing Director, Frank Koo. “This year, we have an Indonesian scholar, which just shows how Singapore’s education system can bring the best talent here and groom them to be successful professionals.”

Among the 21 participating organisations, five are joining the NIS this year. They are the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies, ILOG, MediaCorp Technologies and StarHub and an infocomm-user organisation, Singapore Power. The NIS is supported by the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and the Singapore Computer Society, and is open to top students from junior colleges, polytechnics and universities.

• An NIS scholar embarks on her infocomm journey
• For more information on infocomm manpower initiatives in Singapore, visit talent.singaporeinfocomm.sg.

Siemens IT Solutions and Services (www.siemens.com/it-solutions), the IT business group of Siemens, has announced the launch of its Centre of Competence (CoC) for City Management in Singapore. The facility, the only CoC to be set up outside of Europe by the Group, will support its public-sector business worldwide, using the island as the hub to serve the global markets.

Mr Frischmuth: We thoroughly analysed what would be the best place for us to implement this new CoC and chose Singapore with good reason.

“We thoroughly analysed what would be the best place on earth for us to implement this new CoC and chose Singapore with good reason,” said Mr Juergen Frischmuth, a member of the Group Executive Management, Siemens IT Solutions and Services. He cited the island’s reputation as a model city and place to do business, the large number of multinational corporations based here, and the Siemens presence in Singapore which dates back to 1908.

Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, warmly welcomed the launch of Siemens’ CoC, observing in his speech that MNCs can “play an important role to help grow Singapore’s infocomm industry.”

Singapore is in the midst of implementing its iN2015 infocomm masterplan, which involves the development of a secure and trusted next-generation national infocomm infrastructure, and this fits in well with the services provided by the CoC, he said.

The Singapore CoC for City Management will bring together an international and local team with experience in public-sector organisations as well as knowledge of Siemens solutions. Mr Klaus Heidinger, who has notched up years of public sector experience in Europe, will head the CoC here, and will pool local and foreign experts to form the unit.

Siemens IT Solutions and Services is the newest arm of Siemens, having been formed just six months ago by merging the IT capabilities of five entities. Leveraging on a headcount exceeding 40,000, spread across more than 40 countries, its services range from IT consulting and software development to systems integration and management of IT infrastructures, with an annual turnover of more than US $10 billion.