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.