Singapore expands digital inclusion with focus on safety

Closing the digital divide requires affordability, skills training, and coordinated action.

Singapore remains a leader in digital inclusion, with initiatives such as the DigitalAccess@Home scheme narrowing the digital divide. But according to Jeanette Whyte, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, APAC, GSMA, access alone is not enough for long-term success.

“Although Singapore has very good access and the citizens have access, there are issues around why people might not want to use the internet. This could be around affordability. Maybe they can't afford a good handset or even the monthly payment packages,” Whyte said.

She added that factors such as digital literacy and content relevance also matter. “There needs to be continuous training and upskilling of people, particularly maybe the older generation.”

Whyte noted that both government and mobile operators have been providing follow-up support to ensure continued usage. “They have been working with particular age groups, like the seniors, to ensure that the internet is still relevant for them, and also training and skills about being safe on the internet.”

With scams and telco fraud on the rise, digital trust has become a priority.

“GSMA is very concerned… So what we have set up is a task force where we bring 31 mobile network operators across the region, together with platform players such as Meta, Google, TikTok and AWS, to look at how we can address these issues,” Whyte explained.