Multi-million dollar innovation centre links Singapore to global media community

 

Marketing initiatives promote broadcast solutions in Singapore and the region

 

Agreements to set a new benchmark in broadcast media education

 

Singapore , 16 June 2009 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) today announced the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) and Ngee Ann Polytechnic to develop innovative broadcast media solutions, groom talents in the industry and enhance Singapore’s capabilities as a global media hub.

 

At the heart of these collaborations is Singtel’s new multi-million dollar Broadcast Innovation Centre (BIC). The first of its kind in Asia Pacific, this state-of-the-art facility serves as a powerful digital media exchange and content distribution hub that connects companies in Singapore to major media capitals worldwide and more than 40 countries via high-speed satellite and terrestrial fibre networks.

 

The BIC, housed in Singtel’s Bukit Timah satellite earth station, also lowers the cost of technology development by providing broadcast media entrepreneurs with the resources to turn their ideas into reality. It is equipped with a proof of concept laboratory and test bed facilities to allow developers to thoroughly test their solutions before bringing them to market. There is also a showcase of the latest broadcast innovations from Singtel and its partners.

 

Singtel’s collaboration with MDA

 

The MOU between Singtel and MDA is established to strengthen Singapore's media infrastructure and manpower capabilities, and exploit new technologies for growth. Under the collaboration, the BIC will serve as a communications gateway to connect companies based at Singapore’s Mediapolis@one-north R&D hub to the international media community. This will enable Singapore-based broadcasters and content producers to reach a global audience, including new and untapped markets, and also attract foreign media companies to use Singapore as a base for the development and distribution of their work. 

 

Singtel and MDA will also use the BIC as a platform to encourage innovative broadcasting solution providers to test, and potentially commercialise their products and promote them in Singapore and the region. Media companies with new delivery and business models can also evaluate the viability of their solutions at the BIC before

 

commercial deployment. Singtel and MDA will also collaborate to gather industry feedback and updates on the latest market developments. This will enable MDA to develop effective roadmaps for the local broadcast media sector.

 

To enhance the skills and expertise of local broadcast media professionals, Singtel will provide training and attachments for broadcasting professionals through MDA’s Media Training and Attachment (META) programme. Singtel will offer on-the-job mentorship programmes in broadcast engineering and video transmission technologies.

 

Mr Seto Lok Yin, Assistant  Chief Executive Officer of MDA, said, “Our collaboration with Singtel strengthens the multi-platform digital distribution capabilities of the media sector and reinforces Singapore's position as the best city for media business, where content and services can be pioneered, created and delivered seamlessly to global audiences.  We congratulate Singtel on the launch of the BIC and believe that it will be a significant catalyst in the development of Mediapolis@one-north.”

 

Singtel’s collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic

 

Singtel and Ngee Ann Polytechnic signed an MOU to develop new modules for the Diploma in Electronic & Computer Engineering programme and courses for professionals in the broadcast industry.

 

Students will have access to the facilities at the BIC and Singtel’s Bukit Timah satellite earth station for practical classes, as well as research and development projects. Singtel will provide technical assistance for the projects and showcase at the BIC the polytechnic’s latest innovations, such as its real-time digital TV analysis device. Students will also have the opportunity to join Singtel’s internship and mentorship programmes.

 

Dr Lim Choo Min, Ngee Ann’s School of Engineering’s Senior Director, said, “Leveraging our expertise and facilities in digital TV broadcasting, our partnership with Singtel will enable us to include the latest technological developments in our training programmes.”

 

Mr Titus Yong, Singtel’s Vice President of Satellite, said, “Singtel is excited to collaborate with the MDA and Ngee Ann Polytechnic to promote a vibrant broadcast media community in Singapore and equip our media professionals to reach their full potential. Our innovative broadcast satellite solutions give our customers a competitive edge by allowing them to reduce costs and improve productivity. With the launch of our Broadcast Innovation Centre, we hope to be a catalyst for innovation in the industry and establish Singapore as the city of choice for media companies worldwide.”