1

The Role of Governments in the Future of Voice – Singapore’s Perspective

Presented by Melinda Tan

16 January 2007

ITU Workshop- “The Future of Voice”, 15-16 Jan 2007, Geneva

2© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Global Trend – Increase in Wi-Fi Hotspots & Users

“ In the past one year, the number of hotspots in the OECD countries have grown significantly…..this happening globally”

Dec 2006, OECD

3© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Global Trend – Increase in Wi-Fi Hotspots & Users

“ Wi-Fi hot spots will grow by 47 percent worldwide to 143,700 by the close of 2006. Combined, Europe and North America account for 74 percent of the hot spots worldwide. ABI Research expects Asia Pacific to become the new market leader in 2011.”

Nov 2006, Wirelessweek

4© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Global Trend – Increase in Wi-Fi Hotspots & Users

“There are now about 40 million Wi-Fi users… …which makes Wi-Fi a much faster-growing technology than cellular telephony.”

July 2006, NY Times

5© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Singapore – Nationwide Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

October 2006

900

September 2007

5000

6© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Global Trend –Increase in Wi-Fi Enabled Phones

“In-Stat analysts predict that 132 million of the devices with cellular and Wi-Fi capability phones will be in use by 2010.” -

June 2006, ZDNet News

“Wi-Fi enabled cell phones will dominate by 2009” –

Aug 2005, Strategy Analytics Inc

7© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Global Trend – Free / Cheaper Voice Calls

From anywhere in the world to Singapore using Skype phone – US 2.1 cents

Local mobile to mobile call – US 14 cents

Saving – 76% per minute

Eg, International calls made via VOIP are cheaper than traditional local phone calls

8© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

The Role of Governments in the Future of Voice– Singapore’s Perspective

Establish Light Touch Regulatory framework

Promote Competition

Educate Consumers/users

Facilitate Broadband Infrastructure rollout

9© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Role 1 – Light Touch Regulatory Framework

VoIP providers who want 8-digit PSTN numbers (starting with “6”) must adhere to all PSTN rules

VOIP providers can also get 8 digit numbers starting with “3”. PSTN rules do NOT apply.

10© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Role 1 – Light Touch Regulatory Framework

VOIP providers with 8 digit numbers starting with “3” face fewer rules:

No QOS requirements

No Emergency services requirement

No Retail Price regulation

No Number Portability requirements

No requirement for VoIP numbers to be tied to Singapore addresses

No Directory enquiry and printed directory services requirement

No Universal Service contribution

No requirements for Backup Power

11© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Role 2 – Promote Competition

Anyone can apply for VOIP Licence

Allocation of numbers via auction.

Regulator will arbitrate Interconnection disputes with PSTN operators

A Guide for Interconnection with Dominant Licensees issued

12© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Role 3 – Educate the Consumers/Users

VOIP service providers are required to educate customers about the limitations of their VOIP service, eg no support for emergency calls

13© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Role 4 – Facilitate B/B Infrastructure Roll-out

Singapore’s Intelligent National in2015 Plan – Next Generation Infocomm Infrastructure (NGNII):

Ultra-high-speed, > 1 Gbps island-wide national wired broadband network

Pervasive wireless broadband network – Singapore auctioned wireless broadband access spectrum to 6 operators

Wireless@SG – free national WIFI for three years

14© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

The Role of Governments in the Future of Voice – Summary

Establish Light Touch Regulatory framework

Facilitate Infrastructure rollout

Promote Competition

Educate Consumers/users

15© 2005. IDA Singapore. All Rights Reserved.

Thank you

www.ida.gov.sg