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Tag: IMDA

  • Singapore’s IMDA consulting on 5G policy framework

    Singapore’s IMDA consulting on 5G policy framework

    Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has launched a public consultation on the appropriate regulatory framework for 5G, with the goal of enabling commercial deployments by 2020.

    The regulator is seeking feedback from the telecommunications industry and the public on the best approach to 5G spectrum allocation, the baseline requirements for spectrum winners and driving the development of the broader 5G ecosystem.

    IMDA plans to allocate the 3.5-GHz and the 26-GHz to 28-GHz frequency bands as the initial 5G bands during the first wave of spectrum allocations, the regulator said. The regulator says this will be sufficient for at least two nationwide 5G networks.

    The initial allocation is expected to involve a call for proposal process, whereby mobile operators submit detailed proposals on nationwide 5G deployment plans.

    The proposals will be assessed based on factors including ability to meet baseline requirements such as rollout and performance targets, and the applicant’s financial capacity to roll out the proposed 5G networks.

    Finally, the IMDA has proposed to work with the industry to support the development of innovative 5G use cases, as well as 5G engineering manpower.

    “This public consultation is an important step in IMDA’s plans to launch 5G mobile networks and develop a vibrant 5G ecosystem in Singapore,” IMDA chief executive Tan Kiat How said.

    “I encourage interested parties to share your views with us. These insights will guide our regulatory approach and industry development efforts in ensuring Singapore’s connectivity infrastructure remains globally competitive in support of our Digital Economy ambitions.”

  • First mobile tax refund system by Tourego

    First mobile tax refund system by Tourego

    Singapore has introduced the world’s first mobile tourist tax refund system, Tourego.

    Approved by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Tourego migrates the paper-based tax refund process on to an app, allowing users to receive and store their refund tickets in an e-wallet.

    As well as that, Tourego provides shopping, food and travel tips about Singapore, plus users can compile a shopping list recommending retail partners. Already the network covers 100 businesses, with more expected to be announced soon.

    Tourego aims to solve the worldwide problem of tourists spending too much time at airports trying to obtain their tax refunds, says founder/CEO Tan Tie Wee.

    As well as enhancing the shopping experience for tourists, the app helps retail partners improve their efficiency as well as gain big-data insights into consumer behaviour,” he says.

    “We are grateful to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), IMDA, Spring Singapore and IE Singapore for their support as Tourego contributes to Singapore’s vision to be a smart nation.”

    With Singapore as its first market, the Tourego app is free to download but is currently available only to non-Singaporeans to register for an account.

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  • Singapore’s IMDA to focus on four frontier tech areas

    Singapore’s IMDA to focus on four frontier tech areas

    At the Infocomm Media Business Exchange 2017, Dr Yaccob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, said that Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has identified four frontier technology focus areas-AI and data science, cybersecurity, immersive media, and the IoT.

    1) AI and data science

    Initiatives include AI.SG, a new S$150 million ($108m) national program to boost Singapore’s AI capabilities, and the establishment of the Singapore Data Science Consortium. Under the Techskills Accelerator (TeSA) program, IMDA announced the first TeSA Fintech project with DBS Bank to develop more professionals with capabilities in agile development, DevOps, information security, and data analytics for the financial services sector.

    2) Cybersecurity

    Companies like Singtel, ST Electronics, Quann, Accel, and Deloitte have embarked on the Cybersecurity Associates and Technologists (CSAT) program to train more cybersecurity professionals for the industry. The government also established the National Cybersecurity R&D Programme in 2013, with funding of S$130 million ($94m) over five years, to develop R&D expertise and capabilities in cybersecurity.

    3) Immersive media

    Ibrahim spoke about the potential of virtual and augmented reality across various industries, and focused on how it can be used in education and training.

    IMDA has partnered with Beach House Pictures to pilot the use of VR in five primary schools. Through the pilot lessons, about 400 students learned about design, architecture, and high-tech farming. Beach House Pictures has also collaborated with local startup Hiverlab to develop a customized VR classroom application for teachers to guide students on VR experiences to different locations around Singapore.

    IMDA and Tan Tock Seng Hospital will be collaborating with SideFX Studios to use VR and mixed reality to augment clinical training. The collaboration will develop immersive simulations for basic surgical skills and complex airway management, which is critical in life-threatening emergencies.

    4) IoT and future communications infrastructure

    Enhancements are planned to the Nationwide Broadband Network, IoT networks, 5G mobile network and sensor networks, to enable businesses to leverage high-speed networks, real-time communications, and high accuracy location positioning.

    5G trials in Singapore have achieved throughputs of over 1Gbps with latency of less than 1ms. To encourage industry trials in 5G technology, the IMDA will waive frequency fees for 5G trials and conduct public consultations on the development of 5G in Singapore.

    “We need to develop strong digital industries in their own right, and catalyze their transformation of other industries to spur productivity and yield new synergies,” said Ibrahim. “Ultimately, we hope that all our efforts to prepare Singapore for the digital future will improve people’s lives.”

    Another priority for the IMDA is to ensure that citizens can continue to be employed amid rapid technological change. To help displaced PMETs, IMDA has been working with partners like Workforce Singapore, Singapore Computer Society, e2i, and NTUC on initiatives such as TeSA Integrated Career Services, programs and courses for upskilling and reskilling PMETs, and new skill upgrading pathways.

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  • IMDA to hold 5G consultation this year

    IMDA to hold 5G consultation this year

    Singapore’s Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA) plans to hold a public consultation covering 5G mobile networks later this year.

    The regulator will hold the consultation as part of its efforts to facilitate the commercialization of 5G services in Singapore.

    The IMDA is strongly urging the mobile industry to participate in the consultation to help the regulator better understand the industry’s needs, as well as the optimal spectrum roadmap and regulatory framework that will allow innovation to flourish.

    Other initiatives the IMDA will take during the transition to 5G will include the promotion of real-world trials to better understand how 5G will fit into Singapore’s business environment, as well as optimal deployment scenarios for operators.

    Singapore’s mobile operators are meanwhile themselves conducting preparatory work for the introduction of 5G – Singtel, for example, recently upgraded its LTE network nationwide to support the pre-5G technology 256 quadrature amplitude modulation (256 QAM), giving the network a peak speed of 450Mbps.

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  • Singapore IMDA appoints new CEO

    Singapore IMDA appoints new CEO

    Singapore has appointed Tan Kiat How as chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) from January 1, 2017.

    Tan, currently deputy secretary (cyber and technology) at the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI), succeeds Gabriel Lim, who will continue to serve as second permanent secretary (communications and information), said MCI in a media release.

    Prior to his stint at MCI,  Tan served at the former Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the Ministry of Finance and the Pioneer Generation Office (PGO).

    Tan’s previous contributions include helping to develop the Intelligent Nation 2015 plan and implement the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network at the then-IDA. He was also involved in refining the national cybersecurity strategy with the Cyber Security Agency (CSA) in his time at MCI.

    Lim was appointed co-managing director of IDA in May, in preparation for the formation of IMDA on October 1. He oversaw the establishment of the TechSkills Accelerator, a new hub for skills development and job placement, and preparations for Singapore’s fourth mobile network operator.

    Prior to that, Lim was appointed CEO of the former Media Development Authority of Singapore on December 8, 2014.

  • IMDA to ban 2G-only device sales from Jan 1

    IMDA to ban 2G-only device sales from Jan 1

    Singapore’s Infocomm and Media development Authority (IMDA) has announced it will ban the sale of 2G-only mobile devices from January 1.

    After this time, retailers and equipment suppliers will not be allowed to sell 2G handsets for use in Singapore, the regulator said.

    Suppliers with a dealer’s individual license will be able to continue selling the devices, but only for export purposes or overseas use.

    The order applies to devices in the GSM900 and GSM1800 frequency bands, and covers other cellular devices besides handsets including POS terminals and M2M equipment. Retailers and suppliers found to be in violation of the new rules could face financial penalties.

    Singapore’s mobile operators will shut down their 2G networks from April 1 to allow IMDA to re-allocate spectrum for more advanced mobile services.

    IMDA is working with operators to facilitate the migration of remaining 2G users to 3G or 4G networks, allowing subscribers to upgrade their devices while maintaining their plans and monthly subscription costs.

    Singapore is on track to introducing a fourth mobile network operator. Last month, local fiber ISP MyRepublic and Australian fixed line operator TPG Telecom were pre-qualified to take part in a special auction for the fourth mobile license.

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  • IMDA investigating Singtel broadband outage

    IMDA investigating Singtel broadband outage

    Singapore’s Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA) is investigating Singtel over a recent nearly 24-hour broadband outage islandwide.

    Singtel announced the outage commenced at around 8:45am on Saturday and services were fully restored at 8:25am on Sunday, although some customers were still reporting connection problems.

    The operator said on social media that its engineers are still tracing the cause of the outage, which was associated with servers being unable to assign IP addresses to customers’ modems. TV, fixed phone and mobile services remained unaffected.

    Engineers have so far ruled out a DDoS attack, indicating that the company did not face a Mirai-linked attack of the kind that left a significant portion of customers of Germany’s Deutsche Telekom without services late last month.

    Singtel announced it will provide affected broadband customers with a 10% discount on their month’s bill, and the company will waive mobile data charges accrued over the weekend for its joint broadband and mobile subscribers.

    In a statement, the IMDA said the regulator takes service outages seriously and will be investigating both the cause of the incident and the service recovery measures taken by Singtel.

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  • Singapore’s IMDA plans Li-Fi trials

    Singapore’s IMDA plans Li-Fi trials

    The Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has invited companies to participate in planned trials of Light-Fidelity (Li-Fi) technology.

    The authority will waive frequency fees associated with Li-Fi trials, and will offer companies interested in conducting the trials the ability to use an existing technical trial framework.

    Li-Fi is being developed as a potential Wi-Fi alternative capable of delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than the radio technology. The technology uses the visible light portion of spectrum between 400-THz and 800-THz.

    But unlike WI-Fi, Li-Fi cannot penetrate objects such as walls, so it would most likely serve as a complementary rather than a replacement technology.

    IMDA said there is a growing awareness of and interest in the technology in Singapore. In July, Temasek invested in Edinburgh-based pureLiFi, and companies including StartHub are working with pureLiFi to explore bringing the technology to the city state.

    As well as the potential in home and enterprise networking, Li-Fi opens up significant location-based advertising and navigational opportunities for businesses, IMDA said. Users of future Li-Fi enabled devices would be able to be beamed relevant information based on their locations.

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