Download: www.osec.

ch 1 / 2
Singapore
Information & Communication Technology (ICT) In-
dustry / eGovernment


Compiled by:

Swiss Business Hub ASEAN

Singapore, May 2012


One of the key drivers of the Singapore economic is the ICT industry. The industry accounts for more
than USD 70 billion or CHF 55 billion and grows at more than 12% annually. The island state is well
connected via both fixed and wireless networks. By early 2012, the mobile penetration had passed
150%, with 3G customers comprising three quarters of the total mobile subscriber base. In maintain-
ing Singapore's status as an ICT market leader, the government launched its plan for a nationwide
fibre-based broadband network known as the Next Generation Broadband Network (NGNBN) and
this is being rolled out in line with the government's strategy.

At the same time Singapore's mobile operators are already looking closely at the pre-4G long-term
evolution (LTE) platform for providing faster mobile broadband internet access into the future. Singa-
pore is home to more than 80 of the top 100 software and services companies. Many of them, includ-
ing the top 15 software companies, have regional or Asia Pacific headquarters here.

ICT industry is regulated by the Singapore Infocomm Development Authority (IDA
http://www.ida.gov.sg/home/index.aspx), the default Government Chief Information Officer, responsi-
ble for master-planning and developing the nation's Infocomm scene and its infrastructure. In doing
so, IDA cultivates a vibrant and competitive infocomm industry in Singapore, one that attracts foreign
investment and sustains long-term GDP growth through innovative infocomm technology develop-
ment, deployment and usage in Singapore, in order to enhance the global economic competitiveness
of Singapore.

In the latest development, Singapore Government has chosen its now privatized Postal Telegraph
&Telephone, Singapore Telecommunication Limited (SingTel http://info.singtel.com/) to deliver the
private cloud infrastructure for government as well as the public cloud services. The Singapore gov-
ernment believes adopting the cloud will bring about cost savings through the standardization and
sharing of computing resources and applications.

However despite its previous success in implementing public sector ICT projects, moving to the cloud
is a major paradigm shift. Subscribing to the public cloud services is optional and without take-up
from the governments 15 ministries and few dozen statutory bodies, the project cannot succeed.
Thats where the real challenge lies for both the government and Singtel (and also its vendors). IDA
has also indicated the need to address cloud security concerns.




Download: www.osec.ch 2 / 2
We believe that the Singapore Government early adoption of cloud computing provides additional
opportunities for Swiss ICT companies to offer innovative and independent solutions to the cloud
operator, SingTel, and other enterprises that need to connect to the eGovernment services.

We have noted that both IDA and SingTel are going to showcase some of its current public cloud
services in the forthcoming CommunicAsia2012, 19th to 22nd June Singapore Marina Bay Sands,
www.communicasia.com, the annual major ICT event for the Asia Pacific region. CommunicAsia2012
is held in conjunction with EnterpriseIT2012 and co-located with BroadcastAsia2012. The event re-
ceived more than 56,000 industry visitors from round the world in its 2011 edition.


Author

Kian-Boon Lim
Head of Swiss Business Hub ASEAN
kianboon.lim@eda.admin.ch