The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made good progress on the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2015 (AIM2015), with two-thirds of AIM2015 already implemented mid-way through its five-year time frame.

In his opening address at the 13th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (TELMIN), Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong called on ASEAN to strengthen its co-operation in ICT to enhance regional integration and create new opportunities for the region’s economies.

AIM2015, which was launched in January 2011 at the 10th ASEAN TELMIN in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a key guiding document to help the region achieve these goals.

A mid-term review of the masterplan was completed during the 13th ASEAN TELMIN, which was held in Singapore on 14-15 November.

Speaking at a media conference during the event, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said one of the success stories of AIM2015 has been in the area of strengthening ICT connectivity to bridge the digital divide.

In this respect, ASEAN TELMIN has undertaken initiatives such as the ASEAN Broadband Corridor, which is aimed at levelling level up broadband connectivity in all ASEAN countries. In late 2012, ASEAN TELMIN endorsed the findings of a study which provided customised recommendations for member states to adopt and improve their domestic broadband situation. The implementation of the study will be monitored to ensure that ASEAN stays on track to enhance broadband connectivity for the benefit of businesses and citizens in the region.

ASEAN TELMIN has also reviewed the Universal Service Obligations (USO) policies in ASEAN countries to help facilitate broadband access, especially to schools and rural communities in the region.

There has also been notable progress in the area of spectrum harmonisation, said Dr Yaacob. Specifically, the Ministers have agreed to support the innovative use of radio frequency to further enhance ICT connectivity. They have also agreed to intensify co-operation for greater harmonisation of the digital dividend spectrum within ASEAN, including the APT 700 MHz band plan for the deployment of mobile broadband services.

In June this year, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia agreed to harmonise the use of the 700 MHz band – a move which allows the countries to address the growing demand for mobile broadband services, improve regional mobile roaming and pave the way for more competitive offerings in this space.

“These initiatives, we believe, will help reduce the digital divide in ASEAN and improve the quality of life for our people,” said Dr Yaacob.

A second area where AIM2015 has made significant progress is in public education on the positive use of ICT. One of the key initiatives is the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp which Malaysia has been organising annually since 2008. This year, secondary school students from 10 ASEAN countries took part in the week-long camp from 25-29 November, where they learnt valuable ICT skills such as the safe use of the Internet and cyber security measures that will help them in their education, future workplace and daily lives. Besides this, the students also had the opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation of one another’s culture.

At the 13th ASEAN TELMIN, the Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to creating a competent ASEAN ICT workforce through the continual development of ICT skills standards and certification, information sharing between ASEAN Centres of Excellence (COEs) as well as capacity building and scholarship programmes.

A third area of progress that Dr Yaacob highlighted in his remarks was in the recognition of innovation and excellence in ICT. “The number of indigenous ICT companies in ASEAN is growing and it is timely for ASEAN to recognise these companies for their innovation and excellence in ICT,” he said.

At this year’s ASEAN ICT Awards, which was held on 14 November in conjunction with the 13th ASEAN TELMIN, a total of 18 ICT companies and end-user organisations across ASEAN countries were lauded for ICT-related innovations. “We hope the Awards would spur ASEAN companies to continue innovating and become global companies that will do ASEAN proud,” said Dr Yaacob.

In the Singapore Declaration issued at the close of the 13th ASEAN TELMIN, the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment towards the implementation of AIM2015 “to create an empowering and transformational ICT for an inclusive, vibrant and integrated ASEAN”. Looking beyond AIM2015, they also agreed to prioritise the development of a new post-2015 ICT masterplan for ASEAN to ensure continuity and provide a stable, conducive environment for businesses and communities to flourish.