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.
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| 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.”