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Singapore: IDA, MDA to be merged to ride digital wave

By  |  January 18, 2016

With the Broadcasting Act under review to keep pace with the new media environment, the infocomm and media authorities will be merged by the second half of this year, while a new statutory board will be set up to lead digital transformation efforts in the public sector.

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    The new Government Technology Organisation will support the Smart Nation vision and help government agencies tap new trends such as robotics, artificial intelligence and Big Data. It will also take over the role of the Infocomm Development Authority’s (IDA) Government Chief Information Office in driving infocomm technology initiatives, among other things.

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    Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a forum on the Internet of Things, Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim today (Jan 18) described the merger of the IDA and the Media Development Authority (MDA) — to form the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) — as a “bold step” that would bring about benefits for consumers, businesses and the public sector.

    Writing on Facebook later, Dr Yaacob said: “The convergence of the infocomm and media sectors has accelerated in recent years. It has brought up considerations to merge the infocomm and media’s development and regulatory functions from time to time. Thus far, we have managed the coming together of the sectors through closer collaborations between IDA and MDA.”

    Full content: The Straits Times

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