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Network Access
Singapore has put in place an advanced and reliable infocomm infrastructure that has met the needs and demands of the economy and society. According to the 2009 Infocomm Usage by Households and Individuals Survey, the proportion of resident households with Internet and broadband access at home reached 80%. These achievements were possible, in part, due to a robust and stable National Infocomm Infrastructure (NII).
The development of the NII started as a key initiative of the IT 2000 Master plan, with the building of a high-speed nationwide broadband network as a major milestone in its development. Singapore ONE was formally announced as the island-wide broadband initiative in 1996, and it jumpstarted the broadband industry and formed the platform over which all local Internet traffic is exchanged today. Singapore ONE also led to the creation of many broadband companies and applications in schools and businesses.
As Singapore progresses into a world of globalized and networked economies where countries have to both compete and collaborate at the same time, the presence of a good infocomm infrastructure will be crucial. It will not only support the needs of the users and to allow them to thrive in this new global environment, it will also enhance Singapore's global competitiveness.
Therefore, as part of the iN2015 Masterplan, Singapore is looking into the deployment of a seamless, trusted and intelligent infocomm infrastructure that will be realized by 2015, as a critical enabler for the vertical sector economies of Singapore to gain a competitive edge in the global market.
Singapore will undertake bold steps in the next five years to make strategic investments to deploy the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure (Next Gen NII). This comprises a nationwide ultra-high speed fiber access infrastructure called the Next Gen Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) and a complementary pervasive wireless network, including the Wireless@SG Wi-Fi service which will be free until 31 March 2013. The Next Gen NII will support new industries like the digital media and the biomedical sciences industry as next engines of growth for Singapore's economy.
The NGNII will also be instrumental in enabling another Next Gen service - Grid Computing. NGNII's ultra-high-speed, anytime and anywhere connectivity would greatly boost the adoption of Grid Computing here. In recent years, Grid Computing has already increasingly been adopted across many industry sectors such as finance and banking, interactive and digital media, manufacturing and healthcare and life sciences – all key sectors of interest for Singapore.
Singapore Government’s IT Infrastructure Plans:
1981
The National Computer Board (NCB)
1991
Comprehensive information technology plan called “IT 2000” was launched
“Singapore ONE” was undertaken to deliver high-speed internet telecommunications
1996
5-year National Science and Technology Plan 2000
1998
E-commerce master plan was launched along with the Local Enterprise
E-Commerce Program
2006
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore introduced a program called “Wireless@SG”
2010
ISP’s rolled out the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) service plans
A comprehensive information technology plan called “IT 2000” was launched in 1991 as a framework to guide IT developments into 21st century. Also, the Advanced National Information Infrastructure that was developed to link computers and other information appliances in homes, offices, factories across the country. A nation-wide broadband structure called “Singapore ONE” was undertaken to deliver high-speed internet telecommunication.
iN2015 is the latest effort to navigate Singapore’s exhilarating transition into a global city, universally recognized as an enviable synthesis of technology, infrastructure, enterprise and manpower with the aim that every single person in Singapore has access to the outside world. This effort is being led by Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).
The Next Generation Infocomm Infrastructure put in place by 2012 is capable of delivering broadband speeds of 1 Gbps and offer connectivity around the country and the infrastructure will also be IPv6 compliant, enabling an excitation host of new broadband-enabled services and applications, such as immersive learning experience, telemedicine, high definition TV, immersive video conferencing and grid computing.
Internet providers:
There are basically four major internet service providers in Singapore, namely, SingNet, StarHub, Pacnet and M1. Singapore continues to be one of the few countries in the world in which broadband internet access is readily available to just about any new user anywhere in the country, with connectivity to 99%.
Current Developments:
In January of 2001 broadband media association was formed and by April the same year there were 6 broadband providers and users exceeding 300,000 in number. Pacific internet introduced wireless broadband access in October of 2001.
In 2006 Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore introduced a program called “Wireless@SG” which is part of their main master plan NGNIII. Regular person can enjoy free access to internet indoor and outdoor seamlessly at most public places.
In early September of 2010 ISP’s rolled out the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (NGNBN) service plans. This new service can support internet of speeds up to 1 Gbps as it utilizes fiber optics network.
Past Roadmap Events:
Roadmap
Release date
Highlights of the Report
5thInfocomm Technology Roadmap
8 March 2005
Sentient Technologies
Communications in the Future
Computing Revolutions with Nano & Bio
4thInfocomm Technology roadmap
26 November 2002
Mobile wireless
Broadband Access
The Connected Home
Infocomm Security in E-Commerce
3rdInfocomm Technology Roadmap
28 February 2002
Optical networking and Photonics
Next Generation Internet Applications
2ndInfocomm Technology Roadmap
20 March 2001
The Connected Home
Infocomm Security in E-Commerce
1stInfocomm Technology Roadmap
24 July 2000
Mobile Wireless
Broadband Access
Singapore has also developed different programs to help and promote different sectors within the Information Technology field.
Data Center Park (DCP):
The aim of this project is to provide a specialized industrial park that offers efficient and cost-competitive environment for data centers so that it is attractive enough to bring content providers, telecom companies and MNCs to Singapore.
National Authentication Framework (NAF):
This program is geared towards authentication process to make the internet services for secure for consumers as well as for the companies. The NAF is spearheaded by IDA with support from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Ministry of Finance, where this will be a nationwide platform.
Next Generation national Broadband Network (NBN):
Singapore's Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure comprises of ultra-high-speed Next Generation NBN and the pervasive Wireless Broadband Network (WBN). The Next Gen NBN will entrench Singapore's Infocomm hub status and open the doors to new economic opportunities, business growth and social vibrancy for the country. Next Gen NBN will be capable of ultra-high speeds of symmetric 1Gbps or more.Singapore Internet Exchange:
The Singapore Internet Exchange (SGIX) is established to be a neutral Internet Exchange to beef up the Internet environment for local and international internet traffic. It has created two nodes at different locations within Singapore that will form the core of the Internet Exchange. It will play an important role in the deployment of services over the Next Generation National Broadband Network by allowing the efficient exchange of traffic, reducing latency and ensuring sustainable performance for bandwidth-intensive services to be optimally delivered to the end-users.
Wireless Broadband Network:
Singapore Next Generation National Broadband Network comprises of both wired and wireless services so that users can enjoy a reliable service. The wireless networks are deployed at key locations in Singapore and this wireless service is offered at a very competitive rate.
Wireless@SGProgramme:
Wireless@SG is a wireless broadband programme developed by IDA as part of its Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure initiative. It is run by three local wireless operators - iCELL Network, M1 and SingTel. Users can enjoy free, both indoor and outdoor seamless wireless broadband access with speeds of up to 1 Mbps at public areas.
