The Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim announced IMDA’s strategies to spearhead Singapore’s transition into a digital future by helping businesses, workers and the community to harness the opportunities from infocomm media (ICM) convergence and technological change. These strategies include developing a strong ICM sector to power and transform Singapore's economy; building an environment of trust through regulations; and improving Singaporeans’ lives through ICM.
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| Source: IMDA website. The IMDA logo. |
IMDA will also launch the Smart Facility Management (Smart FM) initiative, which will help small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) service providers from the cleaning, security guarding, landscaping and maintenance sectors to incorporate smart technology such as sensors, data and analytics and autonomous system for facility management in commercial, retail and industrial buildings. IMDA is partnering Starmall to deploy Smart FM at Jurong Point mall to increase productivity with smart tech as an enabler. IMDA is also exploring launching similar trials with AsiaMalls Management. This initiative is supported by IMDA’s Enhanced iSPRINT programme, which helps SMEs employ technology solutions in solving sector-wide challenges.
IMDA is further collaborating with local media company Beach House Pictures to bring classrooms to life by taking students on immersive and interactive virtual journeys for social studies classes. The use of virtual reality (VR) can transport students to different cultural and historical sites and enable experiential learning without the need to leave the classroom. This exemplifies how the convergence of media content and technology can enhance learning experiences, and open up new business opportunities for local firms to leverage new ICM technologies to climb the value chain.
IMDA virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) in medical training, which will allow healthcare professionals to be trained in life-saving skills and procedures in a risk-free environment. To achieve this goal, IMDA will be partnering Side Effects as well as other digital media and tech companies.
To assist the growth of promising Singapore-based ICM startups, IMDA will expand the Accreditation@IMDA (A@IMDA) programme to help start-ups in the media sector through a collaboration with Mediacorp on their Mediapreneur incubator programme. A@IMDA will complement Mediapreneur’s efforts to nurture media-related startups by providing mentorship in areas such as technical product testing, building of financial models and fund raising pitches, tailored to the different growth stages of startups.
IMDA additionally recognises technology can play a key role in improving everyday lives, in areas such as healthcare. One community-driven initiative by The Good Life Co-operative (TGLC) aims to put health monitoring kiosks in every community centre and residents’ corner to make sure residents stay healthy and live independently. It is currently developing the system which will involve 200 community users. Concurrently, SATA Commhealth (SATA) is using a telehealth* solution to deliver care to 60 of its chronic diseases patients in the Southeast CDC. Both initiatives are supported by IT solutions providers Philips Healthcare and Napier Healthcare Solutions respectively.
As part of IMDA’s Home Access (HA) Programme, IMDA will be collaborating with the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) to partner three social service organisations to reach out to low-income households. Beneficiaries will receive a Home Access bundle comprising a basic computing device (i.e. tablet) and four years of internet connectivity. They will be guided on how to use their tablets through classes at the centre or home-based trainings for beneficiaries who are unable to travel. This new support programme will ensure beneficiaries are equipped with fundamental skills to use the tablets and reap the benefits of being connected through technology.
The minister said, “IMDA’s success ultimately depends on whether it has used ICM to empower possibilities for all Singaporeans to participate in our digital future. While other countries grapple with digital divides**, let us set the example of using ICM to generate a digital multiplier for our people.”
Reiterating the need for IMDA to take full advantage of convergence in the ICM sector, he added, “The opportunities are there. It is up to us to seize them and harness the full potential of technology and media to empower a future of possibilities for Singapore. It is no easy task, and will require open minds, hard work, and, most importantly, close partnerships between the government, industry and the people.”
The new IMDA logo, signifying the abundant opportunities in the ICM sector, was also unveiled at the launch event.
*Telehealth, also called remote medicine and telemedicine, refers to connecting the patient and the doctor over distance via a live audio or video connection. The technology exists for high quality live video to be streamed relatively affordably in Singapore. Advantages include eliminating the need to travel to a doctor and better utilisation of a doctor's time as patients can be theoretically routed to available doctors at any location.
**A digital divide refers to the gap that forms between people who can afford to benefit from technology and those who cannot, and the consequences of such a divide.
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