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Source:
www.gov.sg |
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SPEECH BY DR LEE BOON
YANG,MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, AT
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE INFOCOMM MEDIA BUSINESS EXCHANGE (IMBX)
2007, 19 JUNE 2007, 9.30 AM AT SINGAPORE EXPO |
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An Excerpt |
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In Singapore, we are also witnessing healthy
growth. |
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The Infocomm Development Authority of
Singapore¡¯s (IDA) Annual Survey on Infocomm Industry shows that in 2006,
the total revenue for our infocomm industry shot up almost 20% to S$45.4
billion (US$29.5 billion). |
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The strong performance was driven by healthy
growth in our export market. The export market accounted for some S$29
billion compared to S$22 billion in 2005 while the domestic market
accounted for S$16.4 billion compared to S$15.8 billion in 2005. |
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The global growth of the infocomm industry
is also supported by the increasing adoption and usage of ICT among
governments, businesses and consumers. |
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In Singapore, the government is leading by
example in the adoption of ICT. Hence we have rolled out extensive
e-government services and solutions and today we offer about 1,600
e-government services for always-on easily accessible services to
Singaporeans. Our effort in this area has been noted. |
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The latest Accenture¡¯s study on government
customer service including e-government across 22 countries has placed
Singapore at the top. |
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The results of this study was released just
yesterday with Accenture saying that Singapore¡¯s winning edge can be
attributed to Singapore¡¯s ¡°innovative approaches to proactively engage
with its customers¡±. I believe that our extensive use of ICT and
e-government solutions had contributed to our top placing. |
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iN2015 Enables Usage and Innovation |
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Last year, I told you about Singapore¡¯s ICT
Masterplan iN2015. Since then, a number of programmes and initiatives
had been rolled out collectively by the government and industry to
implement the iN2015 Masterplan. |
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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. |
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The Wireless@SG programme has already
been implemented. Today we have more than 3,400 wireless hot spots
in Singapore with another 1,600 being added by this September.
Already about 430,000 people have signed up to enjoy the free
wireless broadband access around the island. |
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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. |
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The ultra high speed network will also
propel the research and development of innovative applications and
solutions for both business users and consumers. |
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For instance, our Ministry of
Education had launched the FutureSchools@Singapore programme. Five
schools had been selected to leverage on digital technology for a
more enriching and inspiring education experience. Students will
experience immersive virtual environments and customised
educational games for more engaged learning. |
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I am happy to announce that we will
also launch a new pilot service today at imbX 2007. This is the
Digital Concierge. It is a joint programme by the IDA and the
Singapore Tourism Board. |
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Through the Digital Concierge, we will
offer visitors handy personalised and location-based services
accessible via mobile devices such as handphones. |
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Users can obtain a variety of
information such as recommendations of interesting places to
visit, where to eat and what to do. Singaporeans will also be able
to discover many more interesting and exciting aspects of
Singapore. |
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When fully implemented next year, the
Digital Concierge will support Singapore¡¯s Tourism 2015 goal of
increasing visitor arrivals and tourism receipts to 17 million and
S$30 billion respectively... |
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Interactive Digital Media (IDM) |
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Last year, the Singapore Government
committed half a billion dollars to fund R&D in Interactive
Digital Media. We have identified IDM as a growth sector which has
the potential to make significant contribution to the Singapore
economy. |
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We will create a vibrant and
sustainable eco-system to inspire and spark off many creative
ideas and innovations in IDM so as to turn Singapore into an
important IDM hub. |
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Some early initiatives included the
establishment of Singapore-MIT game lab called GAMBIT, an acronym
for Gamers, Aesthetics, Mechanics, Business, Innovation,
Technology. |
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Currently, 31 of our brightest
students are already at work at MIT in GAMBIT designing and
building games and learning how to optimise and manage the
creative process of game construction. |
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Last month, we launched a programme to
fund creative individuals and start-ups in the IDM sector. It has
already attracted some 50 project proposals including some which
are certainly very interesting and had great potential. In
addition, dozen of companies, both local and multinational, have
embarked on innovative IDM projects in Singapore as well. |
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Digital Broadcasting |
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On the digital broadcasting front,
Singapore is the first country in Southeast Asia to introduce
High-Definition TV or HDTV trials last year. |
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Our early adoption of the Digital
Video Broadcasting (DVB) standard has led to commercialisation on
the cable platform in January 2007. Commercial HDTV services will
soon be available through Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) with
free-to-air terrestrial likely to follow soon after. |
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Full Text of Speech |
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Source:
www.gov.sg Media Release 19 Jun
2007 |
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FrontPage Edition: Tue 19 June 2007
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