Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Encyclopedia
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (Abbreviation
: IDA; ; ) is a statutory board
of the Singapore Government
, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA).
, one of the board’s most crucial functions was to implement the computerisation of the civil service. NCB also served as the central authority in promoting, implementing and co-ordinating information systems development work in government ministries.
IDA is in charge of the nation's 10-year masterplan, Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015)
As a regulator, the IDA works in tandem with its industry development arms to help infocomm companies roll out new technologies for widespread adoption in Singapore and beyond. It is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of the Telecommunications Act, the Postal Act and the Electronic Transaction Act. The IDA also represents Singapore in many global and regional to discuss infocomm policies and issues that concern the world community.
The IDA also develops a vibrant infocomm ecosystem comprising local infocomm enterprises, leading multinational corporations (MNCs), innovative infocomm technopreneurs, and start-ups. IDA actively seeks opportunities to grow the infocomm industry in both the domestic and international markets. Through bilateral agreements and partnerships with other governments, and with offices in China, India, the United States and Qatar, the IDA seeks to facilitate the venturing of Singapore infocomm companies into the global market.
To support growth of the infocomm industry, IDA aims to develop an infocomm savvy and globally competitive workforce. Working closely with the industry, IDA looks into development roadmaps that will help to groom infocomm professionals with the breadth of technology know-how, good understanding of business requirements and capability to create intellectual property. In addition, IDA works towards attracting top talent to the infocomm profession through scholarships and active promotion among schools on infocomm as a career choice.
Its most recent initiative is Wireless@SG
to provide Singaporeans with free wireless access island-wide through an extensive wireless network.
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
: IDA; ; ) is a statutory board
Statutory boards of the Singapore Government
The statutory boards of the Singapore Government are organisations that have been given autonomy to perform an operational function. They usually report to one specific ministry.*Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority...
of the Singapore Government
Government of Singapore
The Government of Singapore is defined by the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore to mean the Executive branch of government, which is made up of the President and the Cabinet of Singapore. Although the President acts in his personal discretion in the exercise of certain functions as a check...
, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA).
History
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) was formed on 1 December 1999 when the government merged the National Computer Board (NCB) and Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (TAS), through the passing of the Info-Communications Development Authority Act of Singapore as a result of a growing convergence of information technology and telephony.National Computer Board
Prior to the merger, NCB, which was formed on 1 September 1981 under the auspices of the Ministry of FinanceMinistry of Finance (Singapore)
The Ministry of Finance , is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for administering and regulating financial institutions and structures of the economy of Singapore. It is headed by the Minister for Finance...
, one of the board’s most crucial functions was to implement the computerisation of the civil service. NCB also served as the central authority in promoting, implementing and co-ordinating information systems development work in government ministries.
Telecommunication Authority of Singapore
TAS was established on 1 October 1982 under the merger of the former Telecommunication Authority of Singapore and the Postal Services Department to provide and operate a good and sufficient information communication service, which comprised telecommunication and postal services. TAS also acted as the national authority and to advise the Government on matters relating to information communications.Role
The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) is responsible for the development and growth of the infocomm sector in Singapore. IDA functions as the country's infocomm industry champion, the national infocomm master-planner and developer, and the Government Chief Information Officer (CIO).IDA is in charge of the nation's 10-year masterplan, Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015)
Industry Champion
One of IDA's key responsibilities is creating a conducive, innovative, and competitive infocomm environment that is both pro-consumer and pro-business.As a regulator, the IDA works in tandem with its industry development arms to help infocomm companies roll out new technologies for widespread adoption in Singapore and beyond. It is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of the Telecommunications Act, the Postal Act and the Electronic Transaction Act. The IDA also represents Singapore in many global and regional to discuss infocomm policies and issues that concern the world community.
The IDA also develops a vibrant infocomm ecosystem comprising local infocomm enterprises, leading multinational corporations (MNCs), innovative infocomm technopreneurs, and start-ups. IDA actively seeks opportunities to grow the infocomm industry in both the domestic and international markets. Through bilateral agreements and partnerships with other governments, and with offices in China, India, the United States and Qatar, the IDA seeks to facilitate the venturing of Singapore infocomm companies into the global market.
To support growth of the infocomm industry, IDA aims to develop an infocomm savvy and globally competitive workforce. Working closely with the industry, IDA looks into development roadmaps that will help to groom infocomm professionals with the breadth of technology know-how, good understanding of business requirements and capability to create intellectual property. In addition, IDA works towards attracting top talent to the infocomm profession through scholarships and active promotion among schools on infocomm as a career choice.
Infocomm Master-Planner and Developer
As the infocomm master-planner and developer for Singapore, IDA provides the necessary infocomm infrastructure and technology standards, and promotes the adoption of infocomm technology as a key enabler to enhance Singapore's economic competitiveness as well as for innovation in key sectors. IDA has an excellent track record for master-planning and implementing the national infocomm infrastructure and other sectoral projects, as well as an international reputation for effective use of infocomm technology in government.Its most recent initiative is Wireless@SG
Wireless@SG
Wireless@SG is a wireless broadband programme developed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore as part of its Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure initiative, being part of the nation's 10-year masterplan called Intelligent Nation 2015 .It will be run and developed in the...
to provide Singaporeans with free wireless access island-wide through an extensive wireless network.
Government CIO
IDA also functions as the Government CIO for the public sector. In this capacity, it helps in the running of an effective and efficient government. As the Government CIO, the IDA is responsible not just for master-planning, but also for project-managing and implementing various infocomm systems and capabilities for the government. This is done through the deployment of IT personnel throughout the entire Government as well as managing and operating the Singapore Government's infocomm infrastructure.Subsidiaries
IDA has four subsidiaries set up to perform specific functions that are beyond IDA's primary role and responsibilities. The subsidiaries are:- IDA InternationalIDA InternationalIDA International is a wholly owned privatised subsidiary of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. Singapore is recognised worldwide as a leader in the use of infocomm to deliver better services to the public and businesses...
- Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd (IIPL)
- Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC)
- Assurity Trusted Solutions Pte Ltd
External links
- eCitizen, Gateway to all Singapore Government services
- iN.SG, Infocomm News from Singapore
- Infocomm123, User-generative portal for questions on anything infocomm.
- eGov.sg, Singapore’s e-Government website
- Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015), Singapore’s 10-year masterplan to realise the potential of infocomm over the next decade.
- IDA International, IDA International official website
- IT Management Association, Information Technology Association in Singapore
- National Infocomm Awards, National Infocomm Awards website
- Singapore Computer Society, Society of IT practitioners in Singapore
- Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation, Singapore’s premier infocomm industry association
- TrustSG, Portal of trusted e-merchants in Singapore
- Wireless@SG, a wireless broadband programme developed by IDA
- SME Infocomm Resource Centre - Centre to assist SMEs to adopt IT.
- IDA RSS / XML Feeds