Confidential © IDA Singapore APEC-OECD Cooperative Initiative on Regulatory Reform February 2001 Singapore

Telecommunications Liberalisation and the Promotion of E-Commerce: Singapore and APEC Examples Confidential © IDA Singapore Presented by Ruth Edwards on behalf of Ms Valerie D Costa Director, International IDA

Confidential © IDA Singapore Outline: About IDA Creation of IDA Changing Role of IDA Conducive regulatory environment Telecom Market Liberalisation Regulatory Framework, current and future Singapore’s electronic Commerce policy Role in APEC TEL

Confidential © IDA Singapore Why IDA?

Confidential © IDA Singapore + National Computer Board Telecommunications Authority of Singapore Creation of IDA

Confidential © IDA Singapore Computing Communications Content Rationale for Merger

Confidential © IDA Singapore Facilitation through creating a conducive regulatory environment Conducive Regulatory Environment Infocomm-ready Infrastructure Infocomm-enabled Business Infocomm-savvy Society Global Infocomm Hub

Confidential © IDA Singapore Liberalisation of the Telecommunications Market Telecoms industry has undergone dramatic change, much faster than anticipated – Convergence between IT, telecoms and broadcasting Access to the digital economy dependant on telecommunications growth Competition in telecommunications accelerates the pace of infocomm development – Many players, roll-out of new infrastructure, wide range of innovative infocomm services Infocomm Development

Confidential © IDA Singapore Liberalisation of the Telecommunications Market More than 130 telecom licences issued/expanded More than S$3 billion in additional investment More than 2,500 jobs created Global connectivity increased dramatically more than 15 terabites per second Fall in IDD rates Increase in internet penetration Infocomm Development

Confidential © IDA Singapore Regulatory framework: Where We Are Now Legislation Electronic Transactions Act & Regulations Computer Misuse Act Copyright Act Evidence Act Self-Regulation Internet Code of Practice E-commerce Code for Protection of Personal Information Guidelines for IASPs on Scanning Code of Practice for Infocomm Facilities in Buildings Telecommunications Competition Code of Practice

Confidential © IDA Singapore IPR in the Online World Jurisdiction Internet Addiction Safety of Children Internet Gaming Universal Access Taxation Privacy Regulatory framework: Other Emerging Concerns

Confidential © IDA Singapore Singapore’s e- Commerce policy: Singapore has a conducive and pro-business e- commerce environment to support the implementation and deployment of online services. The environment consists of the physical network, components and services. It also includes a collection of standards, support and incentives to assist the online business community. Steps are also taken to ensure that the infrastructure is internationally linked in order to support cross-border transactions, and that policies are harmonised with international practice. For more information, please see

Confidential © IDA Singapore The APEC TEL, ICT and E-Commerce. Work undertaken by the TEL has evolved to include work on next generation electronic commerce environments as well as keeping focus on liberalisation of the telecomms market. In 1998, APEC Ministers responsible for Telecommunications and Information Industry endorsed the Reference Framework for Action on Electronic Commerce. TEL works closely with the APEC ECSG. Will continue to work towards implementing the Reference List of a Fully Liberalised Telecommunications Sector while progressing the development of the APII.

Confidential © IDA Singapore TEL’s Achievements APEC TEL Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Conformity Assessment for Telecommunications Equipment Framework and Principles on Telecommunications Interconnection. Issues for Consideration in the Preparation of Electronic Authentication Policies Principles on International Charging Arrangements for Internet Services (ICAIS) Reference Framework for Action on Electronic Commerce Universal Access Principles Infocomm Development

Confidential © IDA Singapore Current Topics/Projects under consideration by the TEL Bridging the Digital Divide e-Government Convergence Regulatory Structures Interoperability Skills Standards for Electronic Commerce Distance Learning Projects Skills Retention work Infocomm Development

Confidential © IDA Singapore Current Topics/Projects under consideration by the TEL Electronic Authentication (through the e- Security Task Group) Domain Name Report E-Commerce Awareness Seminars Electronic Commerce Legal Guide SME e-Commerce Survey INGECEP E-Commerce Capacity Building Infocomm Development

Thank you Confidential © IDA Singapore