S'pore firms plan multimedia network<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (AFP): Three Singapore firms teamed up yesterday to
\ndevelop a multimedia network linking homes, offices, businesses
\nand schools to push the city-state closer towards its ambition of
\nbecoming the world's first "intelligent island."<\/p>\n
Singapore CableVision Pte. Ltd., the island's only cable TV
\noperator, and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. will have 30-
\npercent equity each in the project named Singapore ONE (One
\nNetwork for Everyone), officials said.<\/p>\n
The remaining 40 percent will be held by Singapore
\nCommunications Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
\nTelecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS), the telecoms
\nregulator.<\/p>\n
"The consortium aims for an initial rollout of broadband
\nmultimedia services direct to the homes, businesses and schools
\nbefore the end of next year," said Teo Ming Kian, chairman of
\nTAS.<\/p>\n
"For this it plans to commit S$20 million (US$14.28 million)
\nover the next two years for network development," Teo said after
\nthe signing of an agreement setting up the consortium.<\/p>\n
Singapore ONE will enable citizens to access on a personal
\ncomputer a wide range of interactive services through one voice,
\nvideo and data network linking the entire island, officials say.<\/p>\n
Residents would be able to hold an interactive dialogue with a
\ngovernment official, pay their bills, sew up a business deal,
\norder groceries or scour electronic libraries from their homes.<\/p>\n
Teo said the government would be the anchor tenant of the fast
\nhigh-capacity broadband network, "not only to bring greater
\naccess and convenience of government services to the people, but
\nalso to help start this off."<\/p>\n
"Concurrently, effort is being directed to encourage the
\nindustry to participate and invest both in the construction of
\nsuch a broadband infrastructure and in the development of
\napplications, services and content that can be delivered on this
\nnetwork," he said.<\/p>\n
Singapore ONE is part of an ambitious information-technology
\nplan aimed at transforming the country of three million people
\ninto an "intelligent island" with all homes electronically linked
\nup.<\/p>\n
The project was launched in June to put in place new
\ntechnologies and applications for the development of the nation's
\nbroadband network infrastructure.<\/p>\n
It is backed by the National Computer Board and the National
\nScience and Technology Board.<\/p>\n
Singapore's efficient telecom infrastructure and growing use
\nof information technology provides the foundation to build such
\nan advanced high-speed information network with "meaningful
\napplications riding on it," Teo said.<\/p>\n
"This continual upgrading is necessary for us to stay globally
\ncompetitive and maintain our leading position as an advanced
\nvalue-added info-communication hub," the official said.<\/p>\n
He said the tariffs for using Singapore ONE will be made
\n"highly affordable" to encourage a proliferation of services to
\nthe public.<\/p>\n
Teo also urged foreign multimedia-related companies to
\nconsider setting up a base in Singapore to develop advanced
\ncommunications software and multimedia products.<\/p>\n
The government has earlier announced that it will invest S$82
\nmillion, a part of the total project cost, in the network.<\/p>",
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