Singapore has unveiled a long-term plan to prepare its digital infrastructure for emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and immersive multi-party interactions. The Digital Connectivity Blueprint is a 10-year roadmap that outlines key priorities for the country’s infrastructure and serves as a foundation for better opportunities, said Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo. The blueprint includes physical infrastructures such as broadband, mobile networks, and data centers, as well as “digital utilities” to facilitate secure and seamless cross-border transactions. Teo added that the blueprint will place Singapore in a better position to embrace opportunities from emerging technology trends, such as generative AI and autonomous vehicles.
The roadmap will require significant resources, with submarine cables and data centers as two big-ticket items that will drive some SG$20 billion ($14.78 billion) in investments. Of this, SG$10 billion to SG$12 billion is expected to go toward building new green data centers, Teo said, adding that the private sector will fund most of the investments. The Digital Connectivity Blueprint outlines plans to build 10Gbps nationwide connectivity in the next five years and provide capacity to double subsea cable landings within the next decade.
“We will intensify the use of space and landing resources available, so operators can expand and further diversify the network of submarine cables,” said the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), which developed the roadmap with the Ministry of Communications and Information. Efforts here will boost digital connectivity between Singapore, Southeast Asia, and other regions, IMDA said. The government agency added that spectrum will be allocated to enable faster Wi-Fi networks and standalone 5G networks to further improve their performance and support business adoption.
Singapore is already ahead of the curve, with 98% of households in the country currently having broadband access, typically at 1Gbps speeds. The goal is to bump this up to 10Gbps over the next five years, as Wi-Fi 6E and 5G standalone networks are rolled out. Infrastructure upgrades to achieve these speeds will begin in mid-2024, according to IMDA. The agency also plans to allocate spectrum to enable faster Wi-Fi networks and standalone 5G networks to further improve their performance and support business adoption.
The Digital Connectivity Blueprint also includes initiatives in other nascent areas, such as quantum computing, where Singapore aims to be quantum safe within the next 10 years. IMDA said Singapore’s dense urban environment and pervasive fiber network present an advantage in implementing quantum-safe communications. The government agency said plans are in place to pilot quantum-safe networks and quantum-as-a-service applications for commercial customers.
To further boost innovation, IMDA has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to launch a joint innovation center. The new site houses various specialized labs, including 5G as well as augmented and virtual reality, and usability-testing facilities. Located at IMDA’s own innovation hub Pixel, the innovation center will provide “exclusive access” to the latest technologies and methodologies for successful deployment, the Singapore agency said. More than 200 AWS technology offerings are available for experimentation, alongside project-based consultation with experts from IMDA and AWS.
The new innovation center will also provide connections to both IMDA’s and AWS’ network of startups and organizations across Southeast Asia, and the U.S. cloud vendor’s partners. Companies can use the center to develop proof-of-concepts in a sandbox environment. The innovation center will showcase tech offerings built on AWS and from startups participating in IMDA’s various programs, including accreditation schemes.
In conclusion, Singapore is taking a proactive approach to ensure its digital infrastructure is ready to tap emerging technologies. The Digital Connectivity Blueprint is a comprehensive plan that outlines key priorities for the country’s infrastructure over the next 10 years. By investing in physical infrastructures and “digital utilities,” Singapore will be better positioned to embrace opportunities from emerging technology trends. The roadmap will require significant resources, but the private sector is expected to fund most of the investments. IMDA’s partnership with AWS through the launch of a joint innovation center will further boost innovation and provide exclusive access to the latest technologies and methodologies for successful deployment.