Singapore launched its 10-year Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) masterplan at the Infocomm Media Business Exchange (imbX) in June last year. One year into the masterplan, the Government announced that Singapore has made progress with the various programmes and initiatives rolled out over the year.

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.

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."