Singapore launches consultation on IMDA Act changes for competition

Additional refinements would give IMDA clearer powers to issue directions for breaches of consolidation rules.

Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have launched a public consultation on proposed amendments to the IMDA Act, aimed at further harmonising how competition issues are addressed across the telecommunications and media sectors.

The consultation seeks feedback on changes to the media competition framework previously discussed under the Telecoms and Media Competition Code, as well as additional refinements to improve clarity.

The proposed amendments are set out in a Draft IMDA (Amendment) Bill.

Key proposals include requiring IMDA’s prior approval for any transaction that results in a party acquiring 30% or more of the voting shares or voting power in a regulated person.

Transactions that do not change voting power would no longer need approval, but would instead require notification to IMDA.

Anti-competitive agreements would be void only to the extent of the anti-competitive conduct, rather than in full.

The draft bill would transfer the power to issue structural separation orders from IMDA to the Minister, and revise the appeal process to allow affected parties to seek reconsideration by IMDA or appeal directly to the Minister.

Additional refinements would give IMDA clearer powers to issue directions for breaches of consolidation rules, to promote fair competition and protect consumer interests, and to gather information on ownership and control.

IMDA would also be able to approve suitable external documents as codes of practice or standards.

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