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IoT gaining momentum in Singapore and wider South East Asia

For tech-savvy ASEAN graduates, the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) brings with it unbeatable employment options.  

According to Computer Weekly, IoT is poised to become one of the brightest stars in ASEAN’s IT sector. Spending has increased over the last year and this is projected to continue, with Frost and Sullivan forecasting growth of 35%. In 2015, the sector was valued at an estimated £1.38bn; by 2020 this figure is expected to stand at £6.16bn. To give some context, Asia-Pacific’s overall forecast is £64.6bn.

Gartner estimates that by 2020 there will be some 20.8 billion devices connected to the internet that collectively will create more than 20 zettabytes of data. Furthermore, consumer and organisation spending on IoT will reach £2.4tn. It follows then that IoT will have a significant impact on IT infrastructure as well as create innumerable jobs.

Currently, while many Southeast Asian nations are just beginning to explore the technology’s potential, Malaysia and Singapore have pushed forward and established centres of excellence, numerous ecosystems as well as cutting-edge projects.

Governments, too, are beginning to take notice, with numerous governing bodies in the region re-examining IT strategies and polices to ensure they stay ahead.

Singapore forges forward

Singapore for instance considers IoT to be among the key elements in actualising its vision of a Smart Nation.

Toh Chai Keong, former assistant CEO at Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), commented: “Without sensing capabilities, we cannot build context and intelligence, or Smart Nation applications to develop the smart services we envisage”.

Singapore Power is implementing a more advanced digital platform in order to develop and support IoT’s growth and services. The power supplier intends to connect 200,000 more residential electricity customers through leveraging its current mesh network platform.

Moreover, Singapore Power’s extended Silver Spring multi-application IPv6 platform is expected to provide more advanced metering for its customers in addition to developing a digital data and IoT platform in keeping with Singapore’s Smart Nation goal.

Uniting organisations

ASEAN also intends to unite organisations of all sizes using the IoT. One of GradLink’s partner companies, IBM, is leading the way having recently established the Watson Centre at Marina Bay, in Singapore.

Computer Weekly describes the centre as “an incubator designed to bring together organisations of all sizes, business partners and IBM experts to co-create business solutions.” A significant portion of the facility is dedicated to IoT.

Jason Jameson, director of IBM Watson IoT Asia-Pacific, notes that sectors across the board are embracing IoT, with the electronics and consumer sectors as well as oil and gas adapting and creating new roles.

If you have experience in IoT and the wider IT sector, register with us today to see our abundance of tech-based roles.