Minimum standards soon for 4G mobile telephony: minister

IN keeping with the growing usage and expectations of 4G connectivity services, Singapore will also be one of the first countries in the world to impose minimum standards for 4G mobile services.

Stating this at the Ministerial Forum on ICT (Infocomm Technology) on Monday, Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, noted that the Quality of Service (QoS) framework will cover both outdoor and indoor 4G mobile service quality.

The minister pointed out that Singapore has been laying the groundwork to build the world's first Smart Nation which leverages the pervasive nationwide broadband connectivity and wireless networks to enhance sensor data collection.

Making sense of the data gathered and sharing the insights gained will be invaluable in ensuring better public services delivery to Singapore's people, the minister said, adding: "In this regard, the complete switch-over to digital TV by end-2017 will not only free up spectrum for greater capacity of mobile and broadband services, it will also better support our Smart Nation plans."

Dr Yaacob noted that the new IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority), which will start functioning later this year, will be in the position to take into account both infocomm and media considerations, and make a holistic decision for the benefit of the infocomm media sector as an integrated whole. "Only by doing so will it bring us closer to fulfilling our Smart Nation ambitions."

The minister explained that a Smart Nation must be built upon a secure and resilient infrastructure, to maintain both reliability and trust. "We are mindful to remain vigilant to any cyber threat that comes with digital connectedness. As such, I am pleased that the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, or CSA, successfully completed a multi-sector exercise a few months ago, to strengthen the ability of multiple agencies cooperating together to tackle cyber attacks."

Dr Yaacob added that in October the inaugural Singapore International Cyber Week would be held. One of the highlights of the event will be the launch of Singapore's National Cybersecurity Strategy document by the Prime Minister.

The Ministerial Forum on ICT brings together ministers, senior government officials and industry thought leaders to a common space to discuss the most important infocomm media-related issues.