Singtel subsidiary wins S$10m contract to develop Smart HDB towns

SINGAPORE (July 12): Singtel Group's subsidiary, NCS, was awarded a S$10 million contract on Monday by Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) to develop a new Smart Urban Habitat Master Plan (SUHMP).

NCS was appointed lead provider in a consortium comprising AECOM Singapore, Arup Singapore and Samsung SDS Asia Pacific.

The Master Plan will comprehensively map out a strategic approach towards the deployment of Smart initiatives in HDB towns. It will also identify ground challenges for the introduction of smart solutions, highlight areas where more research efforts are needed, and explore potential viable business models that can be adopted.

“This will ensure that the solutions deployed are sustainable, and also provide opportunities for wider partnership with the private sector,” HDB says in a statement on Monday.

For a start, the SUHMP will be developed for Punggol Town.

In addition, a new Smart Hub — akin to the “brain” for an HDB estate’s operations — will also be developed to collect and integrate multiple sources of information, such as real-time data from sensors around estates, into a central repository sited at HDB.

HDB says the data collected by the Smart Hub can transform the way its towns are planned, designed and maintained to provide a better living environment for residents.

For example, to conserve energy and reduce wastage of resources in HDB estates, data from sensors on solar panels, LED lights and smart pumps in water tanks can be analysed to assess and maintain the effectiveness of these systems. Service disruptions to residents can also be minimised by analysing usage patterns of common amenities, such as lifts and smart lights to pre-empt maintenance problems.

”The Smart Urban Habitat Masterplan supports Singapore’s aspiration to become a Smart Nation by outlining a long-term plan to drive the development of HDB towns with smart eco-friendly features that make communal environments more liveable, safe and sustainable,” says NCS CEO Chia Wee Boon.

“For more than 80% of Singapore residents who make their home in HDB flats, the benefits in the long-run are manifold,” he adds.

As at 3.33pm, Singtel shares were up 1.7% at S$4.29. — theedgemarkets.com

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