Assoc. Prof. Millie Rivera Head, Communications and New Media Program Director, Social & Cognitive Lab, Interactive and Digital Media Institute National University of Singapore

Assoc. Prof. Millie Rivera


Head, Communications and New Media Program

Director, Social & Cognitive Lab,

Interactive and Digital Media Institute

National University of Singapore


ICT statistics


Brief ICT history


Intelligent Nation Master Plan


Key initiatives and targets


E
-
government initiatives


E
-
lifestyle and interactive and digital media
initiatives


Digital divide and cyber security


Other measures


1981

–

National Computer Board created


1997
–

Cellular operators licensed to compete
with incumbent


1998

–

First broadband network started
operating


2000
–

Telecom market liberalized


Competition in fixed and mobile services


Lifting of equity restrictions for foreign
operators


2005
–

3G services begin


Intends to roll out next generation ICT
infrastructure by 2012


Symmetric broadband access speeds of up to
1
Gbps


Internet Protocol Version 6 compliant


Goals


Pervasive connectivity


Complementary wired and wireless networks
for seamless connectivity


Enable new broadband services/applications



Spearhead the transformation of key
economic sectors, government and
society through more sophisticated and
innovative use of ICTs


Establish an ultra
-
high speed and
pervasive ICT infrastructure


Develop a globally competitive ICT
industry


Develop an ICT
-
savvy workforce


Two
-
fold increase in value
-
added infocomm
industry to SGD 26 billion


Three
-
fold increase in infocomm export
revenue to SGD 60 billion


80,000 additional infocomm related jobs


At least 90% of homes using broadband (from
78% now)


100% computer ownership for all homes with
school
-
going children


Singapore already has an efficient e
-
government platform


All services that can be placed online
are already available


9 out of 10 people who transacted with
the government had done it online at
least once in past 12 months



New goal is to transcend organizational
structures


Changing rules and procedures so government
services can be better integrated around
customer/citizens’ needs


Agencies will streamline common functions
and integrate backend process (e.g. human
resources and finance)


More emphasis on mobile services



Citizen Access Centers for those without
internet access will be increased from 5 to 25


Increase citizen participation in policy making
process and strengthen relationship with
citizens through ICTs


Government online consultation portal


E
-
engagement (more later re. AIMS)


Government will allow private partners who co
-
create and develop e
-
government solutions to
retain IP to enhance their business and export
opportunities


Make it easier and more convenient for
businesses to transact with government online


Key licensing authorities have integrated 40
strategic services in the online business
licensing portal


Businesses can obtain licenses within a few
working days when applying online


May not apply to foreign
-
owned
businesses


Online banking is most popular online
application


Six in 10 internet users 15 yrs and above use
Internet for leisure


Playing computer games


Downloading/uploading digital photos


Listening/downloading online music


Reading publications


Watching films


SGD 500 million set aside for R&D in IDM sector


Funds administered by National Research
Foundation


But additional funds come from Infocomm
Development Authority, Media Development
Authority, and Ministry of Education to fund
IDM
-
related projects



iN2015 masterplan seeks to create “ICT
bridges” to ensure that the poor, disabled and
the elderly are not left out


For the young


New PC Plus program
–

will provide highly
subsidized computers and internet access to
10,000 low
-
income households


For the disabled


Provide ICT training opportunities to help
them obtain employment



For the elderly


Workshops on the use of mobile devices


Computer training




Key areas in need of enhancement


Lack of experienced professionals in cyber
security


Businesses’ cyber/IT security


Lack of awareness among employees



Projects being planned under masterplan


Infocomm Vulnerability Study on National Critical
Infrastructure


National Authentication Infrastructure


National Cyber
-
Watch Center

OTHER MEASURES


Recent law requires bulk spammers to
clearly label their emails by including
<ADV> in the subject heading


Allows recipients to opt
-
out through
unsubscribe requirements


Allows legal action against spammers
with damages up to SGD 1 million


Not effective with overseas spam



After many years of consultation and delay
tactics by operators, Infocomm
Development Authority finally implemented
a “true” number portability scheme


Common centralized database for fixed,
post and pre
-
paid mobile service providers


Switching between operators should take
one day




Advisory Council for the Impact on New
media in Society


Set up in 2007 to


Discuss impact of new media


Commission research on impact of new
media


Make recommendations to
policymakers



E
-
engagement


Go beyond public consultations and join
discussions initiated by citizens


Abandon policy of not responding to online
media feedback from public


Do research on e
-
engagement/learn from
other countries



Political content


Remove registration requirement for
individuals, groups or political parties that
provide political information online


Extend list of allowed political activities that
can be carried out online
—
e.g. podcasts,
blogs, etc.


Decriminalize the making of party political
films




Protection of children


Singapore already has a law to protect
children against sexual predators


Set up new agency to coordinate education
programs to protect/educate children and
parents


Lift ban of 100 “offensive” websites


Provide filtering software to parents free of
charge




Defamation


Electronic Transactions Act already protects
ISPs and NSPs with respect to third
-
party
material to which they merely provide access


AIMS recommends the same limited immunity
for content providers/aggregators


Take down defamatory material upon
credible request that a person has been
defamed



Thank you!


Email address: mrivera@nus.edu.sg