In May 2004, IDA launched a three-year, S$10 million plan to develop Radio Frequency Identification or RFID technology to augment Singapore's position as a key logistics hub. Through the RFID Initiative, IDA works closely with industry to increase adoption of RFID technology across the various industry sectors to enhance Singapore's competitiveness as a logistics hub and supply chain nerve centre.
The plan aims to build RFID-enabled supply chain clusters by bringing together manufacturers, logistics service providers, retailers, infrastructure providers and solutions providers across various industry sectors in Singapore.
As of August 2006, industry has committed to invest more than S$30million towards RFID projects.
In November 2004, IDA announced the new spectrum allocation and power limits for RFID usage in Singapore in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, the first country in Asia to do so. Companies in Singapore can now use the 866-869 MHz and 920-925 MHz bands within the UHF spectrum for RFID activities here.
A Call-For-Collaboration (CFC) was launched in November 2004 to develop RFID capabilities within the user industries in Singapore. Industry partners were encouraged to collaborate to develop and use RFID solutions to improve their business efficiency through the CFC.
The RFID Initiative encompasses the following three key thrusts:
- Align Standards for global interoperability
- Build Capabilities to develop new intellectual property
- Catalyse Adoption of RFID in key industry sectors
