Singapore Activates Dedicated Data Channel Linking Chongqing to Boost Digital Connectivity
An internet data channel (IDC) with a total data capacity of 260Gbps linking the Chinese city of Chongqing and Singapore is now in operation. It is the latest feat of achievement by the China-Singapore Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI), which was launched in 2015. The dedicated data channel will strengthen digital and physical connections between the regions of Southeast Asia and Western China via the two cities while simultaneously bolstering trade and expansion efforts by companies seeking to establish a foothold in Western China.
The IDC is currently servicing firms and organizations located in seven industrial parks spread across Chongqing. The industrial parks that stand to benefit from the dedicated data channel are China Zhigu (CQ) Science Park, Blockchain Innovation Industrial Base and Liangjiang Digital Economy Industrial Park.
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said: “The enhanced connectivity will facilitate physical and digital trade, support data-driven businesses, and develop vibrant and innovative ICT industries for both countries.”
It also added: “The IDC also offers Singapore telcos business opportunities to bring data traffic to and from Southeast Asia and Western China, and supports Singapore companies looking to digitally expand their businesses to Chongqing or western China.” On the other hand, the IMDA also made the point that companies and organizations in Western China can also make use of the IDC to broaden their reach into Singapore and the other countries of Southeast Asia. Towards this end the IMDA is formulating long term plans to encourage companies and organizations in Western China to use the IDC to connect to Singapore.
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (Singtel) and Starhub, two of the three major telcos operating in Singapore, have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with China’s three leading telcos – China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telecom – to provide enhanced and more secure high-speed connectivity between the two regions that also offers improved network reliability, lower latency and lower packet loss. Additionally, IMDA has stated that 12 partnership agreements were made during the launch, with the inclusion of notable organizations such as the National Cancer Center Singapore, Yidu Cloud Technology, Chongqing Haifu Medical Technology and Tencent Technology.
“With enhanced data connectivity, businesses are better-placed to deploy artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), data analytics, and other emerging technologies to power growth and drive their transformation,” said Lim Seng Kong, Singtel’s managing director of global enterprise business.
Speaking at a recent Singapore-Chongqing trade forum, Singapore’s minister for trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said: “Singapore is pleased to partner Chongqing as we play the role of mutual hubs in Southeast Asia and western China respectively.”
He also added: “With a combined population of more than a billion and economies growing faster than the global average, ASEAN and Western China are two of the world’s most dynamic regions. Through our joint efforts, the CCI aims to foster greater connectivity, not just between Singapore and Chongqing, but also between the regions of western China and Southeast Asia.”
