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1. Singapore IT history Singapore’s economic planners began promoting the widespread application of IT in the early 1980s, seeing it as strategic in the restructuring of the economy toward higher value added production (Rodan, 1998). They wanted Singapore to be a production site for the world-wide IT industry. In 1980 a ministerial-level committee, the Committee on national Computerization (CNC), was established to ensure the computerization of the civil service, to boost training of software professionals, and to encourage the indigenous software and services industry (Rodan, 1998). The National IT Plan in 1986 saw the National Computer Board, Singapore Telecom, Economic Development Board, and the National University of Singapore collaborate to achieve a more integrated strategy between hardware manufacturing, and telecommunication and software services (Gilbert, 1996). In support of this plan, the late 1980s saw a range of complementary institutional initiatives and substantial state investment in physical and social infrastructure. In 1992, the National Computer board detailed a new strategic statement, IT2000-A Vision of an Intelligent Island. Under IT2000, it is planned that all 750.000 households on the island will be connected to a comprehensive computer network by the year 2000 with the compulsory installment of broadband coaxial and optical fibre networks (Gilbert, 1995). Households, businesses, schools, libraries, government departments, and statutory authorities will be electronically interlinked to facilitate shopping and other commercial and official transactions, as well as providing cable and interactive television services and the Internet. A wireless communications network will also provide mobile computer access to information services throughout Singapore. The plan is so extensive that even public space is likely to be wired. It is proposed that television cameras be fitted at corridors, lifts, public parks, car parks, and neighbourhood centres for monitoring purposes. The plan was quickly acted on, with more than 100,000 households connected with wiring to support broadband application before mid-1996 (Rodan, 1998). It is important to note, however, that while the Internet came to be embraced as a crucial element of the IT2000 strategy, it was something that evolved rather than having been an integral element of the original conception. Also, in turning Singapore into an intelligent island providing a range of services that depend on creative intellectual capacities, innovation, and a free flow of information, Singapore’s leaders have a good deal of prior experience in controlling the political spillover from various other industries not normally associated with restrictive political cultures. 2. Key player in Singapore’s NII 2.1 Government/Regulatory Authorirty The National Computer Board (NCB) is a statutory board responsible for IT policy and development in Singapore. Its mission is to bring Singapore to excel in the information age by exploiting IT extensively to enhance its economic competitiveness and quality of life. Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS) is the national licensing and regulatory authority for posts and telecommunications. TAS' mission is to ensure that Singapore's telecommunication and postal infrastructure and services rank with the best in the world, not only in terms of quality and availability, but also in terms of price and service. TAS is also entrusted with the allocation and management of the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbital slots. Singapore Broadcasting Authority (SBA) was formed as a result of the privatisation of the Singapore broadcasting industry. The Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), the former national broadcaster, was corporatised on 1 October 94 with the passing of the Singapore Broadcasting Act 1994. This Act also provided for the formation of a new statutory board - SBA – under the Ministry of Information and the Arts to regulate and promote the broadcasting industry in Singapore. The National Internet Advisory Committee (NIAC) was appointed by The Ministry of Information and The Arts in August 1996. The Committee advises SBA on the regulation of electronic information services and the development of the industry. The Committee also assists SBA in the development of its regulatory framework for the Internet. 2.2 State and Private Industry Singapore Telecom is the current monopoly service provider for both local and international services. Its monopoly rights run out on 31 March 2000. TAS is now in the process of awarding up to two new licences for local international basic telecom services. SingTel and MobileOne are the service providers for public cellular mobile telephone services. There will be a duopoly in the provision of these services for three years, until April 2000. SingTel Paging, MobileOne, IntraPage and SunPage are service providers of public radio paging services. SingNet, Pacific Internet and Cyberway are the three service providers of Internet services. 3. Current initiatives and developments SingaporeONE is a national initiative to deliver a new level of interactive, multimedia applications and services to everyone in Singapore. Its network services were launched by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 9 June 1997 at Asia Telecom '97. To encourage the industry to take part and invest in the construction of the broadband infrastructure and in the development of applications, TAS has formed a Pioneer's Club aimed at bringing on board early innovative application and content providers using SingaporeONE as a roll-out platform. The club members will enjoy benefits such as preferential rates for broadband usage and access to other member service and users of SingaporeONE. Figure 1. Singapore One network overview (Anon., 1998, URL=http://s-one.net.sg)
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