Singapore’s Digital Transformation Blueprint

Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Josephine Teo highlighted the pivotal role of technology in today’s world, emphasising the need for a safe and trusted digital environment. The COVID-19 pandemic, she noted, has accelerated the global digital transformation, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

The Minister underscored the importance of robust digital connectivity infrastructure, particularly in Singapore’s case, where investments in a nationwide fibre network more than a decade ago paid off during the pandemic. With 98% of homes having fibre connectivity, Singapore successfully transitioned to remote working, learning, and living. Further, the country’s extensive mobile connectivity enabled timely and reliable public service delivery.

Minister Josephine also shared Singapore’s commitment to investing in 5G standalone networks, which will empower people and businesses with the capabilities necessary for innovation and digital transformation. These investments will pave the way for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), autonomous vehicles, drones, and other innovations that rely on a strong 5G network.

Singapore aims to achieve 5G standalone coverage across half the nation by 2022 and nationwide coverage by 2025, with plans to explore 6G technologies through a S$50 million fund for the Future Communications Research and Development Programme.

According to Minister Josephine, Singapore is actively partnering with GSMA and the global telecom industry to unlock the potential of new communication technologies. By transforming itself into a living lab for 5G innovation, Singapore promotes inclusivity, offering open testbeds and funding for businesses to innovate and develop 5G commercial use cases. From AR and VR to autonomous robots and urban air mobility, these innovations are paving the way for smarter cities and more efficient industries.

Her announcement that Sentosa, Singapore’s resort island, has become a 5G testbed for the public sector reflects Singapore’s commitment to bold ideas and technological advancements. This testbed encompasses diverse applications, such as autonomous robots for construction quality control checks and the operation of autonomous road-sweeping trucks. These initiatives harness 5G connectivity, IoT devices, and various sensors to process real-time data, contributing to Singapore’s vision of becoming a Smart Nation.

While celebrating the strides made in the digital landscape, Minister Josephine acknowledged the rise of new challenges, including cyber threats and online harms. She referred to the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) report on the impact of online misinformation and emphasised the need for multi-stakeholder efforts involving governments, industry, and citizens to build and sustain trust in the digital domain.

The Minister added that in the fight against scams and cybercrimes, Singapore has collaborated closely with telcos to implement measures that protect citizens. Initiatives like the “+ prefix” for incoming overseas calls have proven effective in alerting the public to suspicious and spoofed calls. However, Minister Josephine stressed the importance of a global approach, with countries working together to develop governance principles, frameworks, and standards to maintain trust and confidence in the digital space.

Singapore’s active involvement in the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group and Group of Governmental Experts reflects its commitment to establishing “rules of the road” for cyberspace on a global scale. The nation is also working with like-minded countries to create common standards for trusted digital transactions through Digital Economy Agreements, fostering interoperability and trust in transactions.

Further, Minister Josephine called upon the industry and regional partners to collaborate with Singapore to unlock the full potential of the digital age. As the world repositions and reinvents itself in the aftermath of the pandemic, “the time is now to build a strong and trusted foundation for our collective digital future. With innovation, collaboration, and trust at the forefront, the journey towards a safer, more connected world is well underway.”