S'pore firms plan multimedia network
S'pore firms plan multimedia network
SINGAPORE (AFP): Three Singapore firms teamed up yesterday to
develop a multimedia network linking homes, offices, businesses
and schools to push the city-state closer towards its ambition of
becoming the world's first "intelligent island."
Singapore CableVision Pte. Ltd., the island's only cable TV
operator, and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. will have 30-
percent equity each in the project named Singapore ONE (One
Network for Everyone), officials said.
The remaining 40 percent will be held by Singapore
Communications Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS), the telecoms
regulator.
"The consortium aims for an initial rollout of broadband
multimedia services direct to the homes, businesses and schools
before the end of next year," said Teo Ming Kian, chairman of
TAS.
"For this it plans to commit S$20 million (US$14.28 million)
over the next two years for network development," Teo said after
the signing of an agreement setting up the consortium.
Singapore ONE will enable citizens to access on a personal
computer a wide range of interactive services through one voice,
video and data network linking the entire island, officials say.
Residents would be able to hold an interactive dialogue with a
government official, pay their bills, sew up a business deal,
order groceries or scour electronic libraries from their homes.
Teo said the government would be the anchor tenant of the fast
high-capacity broadband network, "not only to bring greater
access and convenience of government services to the people, but
also to help start this off."
"Concurrently, effort is being directed to encourage the
industry to participate and invest both in the construction of
such a broadband infrastructure and in the development of
applications, services and content that can be delivered on this
network," he said.
Singapore ONE is part of an ambitious information-technology
plan aimed at transforming the country of three million people
into an "intelligent island" with all homes electronically linked
up.
The project was launched in June to put in place new
technologies and applications for the development of the nation's
broadband network infrastructure.
It is backed by the National Computer Board and the National
Science and Technology Board.
Singapore's efficient telecom infrastructure and growing use
of information technology provides the foundation to build such
an advanced high-speed information network with "meaningful
applications riding on it," Teo said.
"This continual upgrading is necessary for us to stay globally
competitive and maintain our leading position as an advanced
value-added info-communication hub," the official said.
He said the tariffs for using Singapore ONE will be made
"highly affordable" to encourage a proliferation of services to
the public.
Teo also urged foreign multimedia-related companies to
consider setting up a base in Singapore to develop advanced
communications software and multimedia products.
The government has earlier announced that it will invest S$82
million, a part of the total project cost, in the network.