Singapore’s Smart Nation Initiative
ADVANCES IN digital technology can help address urban challenges and open up new possibilities to enhance the way we live, work, play and interact. The Smart Nation initiative is Singapore’s effort to leverage technology to support better living, build stronger communities and create more opportunities for all.
We are putting in place the required infrastructure, policies and tools, and enabling platforms to facilitate and encourage co-creation by people and businesses with the government.
GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM
Singapore is one of the most well-connected cities in the world, and it continues to improve and enhance coverage. The number of Wireless@SG hot spots across Singapore will be doubled from 10,000 to 20,000 by 2018, and free Wi-Fi connectivity will be expanded to cover all MRT and LRT platforms, bus interchanges and terminals by 2020.
The country invests in the education and upgrading of skills through the Skillsfuture program to equip the work force with the necessary digital skills so that they stay relevant and can seize opportunities that technology presents.
Singapore nurtures a vibrant innovation and business ecosystem, by linking and expanding networks of companies, research centers and public agencies to share knowledge and innovation throughout the economy and society. It has incubation spaces and accelerators set up at Cleantech Park and Launchpad to support start- ups at various stages of their growth. By bridging innovation and enterprise, solutions can be tested, scaled up and adapted for application beyond the Singaporean shores.
ENABLING PLATFORMS
Singapore is also investing in integrated digital platforms to facilitate and support the development of innovative services by businesses and people. The country is developing a National Digital Identity where Singaporeans can digitally identify themselves and easily sign and securely transact with government and businesses. Another platform being built is the Smart Nation Sensor Platform, which is a joint platform for government agencies to exploit sensors, Internet of Things ( IoT) and the associated back- end intelligence. It allows data from different sources to be integrated, for improved public service delivery in areas such as security, transport and sustainability.
Enabling regulations and policies are being put in place by Singapore to drive innovation. Besides extending some 67 kilometers of public roads to facilitate Self-Driving Vehicle (SDV) trials, we have established the Centre of Excellence for Testing & Research of Autonomous Vehicles — Nanyang Technological University (CETRAN) for the development of SDV technologies and regulations. The country is also putting regulatory sandboxes to develop emerging solutions, like Looking Glass @ MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) for the development of new FinTech innovations and services.
To foster co- creation of solutions, open source platforms, real- time application program interfaces (APIs) and open data are provided such as through www.data.gov.sg and Land Transport Authority’s Datamall, which have resulted in the creation of many citizencentric, ground-up applications.
ENHANCED MOBILITY AND HEALTH CARE
Singapore harnesses data and digital technologies to enhance commuting experiences. By identifying commuter hot spots and using data to manage bus fleets to meet real-time demand, crowdedness on buses has been reduced, and waiting times for popular services have been shortened.
To improve quality of health care and aid active ageing, Video Consultation and TeleRehabilitation services help shift care beyond hospitals to the community, offering seamless access to patient care, while Elderly Monitoring Systems in homes also ensure the well-being and safety of the elderly through the use of motion sensors.
ENHANCED PUBLIC SERVICES
Digital Government Services have helped transactions with companies and citizens become more seamless. CorpPass acts as a single corporate digital ID for businesses, making business transactions with the government more convenient and secure. Foreign entities are also able to make use of this portal without having to register for a Unique Entity Number (UEN).
As a one- stop health information and services web portal and mobile application, HealthHub offers citizens access to their health and medical records, medical appointments and a directory of health care facilities. Authorized caregivers can also be granted access to help better manage care receiver’s health.
For more information, visit www. smartnation.sg.