The China-Singapore (Chongqing) International Data Channel (IDC) was launched on 11 September 2019, providing a dedicated 260Gbps data channel between Singapore and Chongqing and offering better network experience through lower latency, lower packet loss and better network reliability to users in the two cities.
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. The IDC would be useful for companies in sectors or businesses that leverage connectivity and require quality bandwidth. These include areas such as content streaming, gaming, online learning and for partners working on joint development projects.
In the immediate term, the dedicated data channel will be available for companies in the seven industrial parks in Chongqing, while in the long term, there are plans to attract Western China traffic to use Chongqing as a hub to reach Singapore via the IDC. The seven industrial parks in China are: Liangjiang Digital Economy Industrial Park, Xiantao International Big Data Valley, China Zhigu (CQ) Science Park, Xiyong Microelectronics Industrial Park, Yongchuan High Tech Software Industrial Park, Mobile Internet Industrial Park and Blockchain Innovation Industrial Base.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) worked with the Chongqing Big Data Bureau (CQBDB) to facilitate partnerships between Chinese and Singapore telcos. Three Chinese telcos, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom and two Singapore telcos, Singtel and Starhub are involved. 12 Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) have been signed among and between the telcos and IDC users during the launch of the IDC. This includes a MOU between Yidu Cloud Technology Co., Ltd. from Chongqing and National Cancer Centre Singapore to conduct research on disease data in the field of cancer.
In addition to the launch of the IDC, 27 MOUs were signed between Singapore and Chinese firms in areas such as aviation, financial services, logistics and information and communication technology. One of these involves the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) establishing a digital innovation center in Chongqing’s Liangjiang new area to help SPH’s Chinese Media Group better reach a mainland audience.
(Sources: Infocomm Media Development Authority, Singapore; Straits Times)
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