US$4.4m boost for S'pore Java wireless initiative
The JWCC is the first partnership under the info-communication authority's Wireless Technology Alliance (WTA)--one of two new Wired for Wireless initiatives announced at yesterday's signing ceremony.
The Wired for Wireless program, launched by the IDA in October last year, aims to jumpstart the development of the island's wireless industry.
According to a joint statement, the initial focus of the JWCC would be to provide testbeds for new wireless services, provide training and support to the local industry, provide wireless architecture consultancy and project development, and the certification and branding of wireless service providers.
A tri-partite investment of S$8 million (US$4.4 million) has been set aside for the next two years, said Sun Microsystem director of strategic business development for Asia South Gan Boon San.
The IDA declined to reveal its contribution to the total investment, but noted separately that it would be spending a total of S$13.5 million for the entire WTA initiative over the next three years.
"This collaboration (called Java Tarik III) is one in a series of Sun Microsystem's Java Tarik programs," explained Sun Microsystem vice president and managing director for Asia South Lionel Lim.
Other local partners involved in Java Tarik III include EdgeMatrix, StarHub, MobileOne and Singapore Technologies Electronics.
The wireless center is expected to be ready by the fourth quarter of this year, with the first deliverables due in the first or second quarter of next year, said CWC director Lye Kin Mun. However, he stressed that the center had numerous objectives, "some not directly related to products".
Other Wired for Wireless initiatives
The second initiative announced by the IDA yesterday is Market Development (MADE), which aims to facilitate market development through market testing, joint market research and promotion activities.
"The new initiatives complement earlier announcements such as PATH (Pilot and Trial Hotspots) and OBC (Overseas Business Centers), which focused on creating a dynamic testbed for innovation. These two new initiatives will provide the wireless industry players with the additional impetus to develop, test and launch their products in Singapore," said IDA assistant chief executive Khoong Hock Yun in a statement.