Cisco launches EPIC@SG to build next-gen services 
ConvergenceAsia staff
12/12/2008

Cisco will establish EPIC@SG (Enabling Platform Innovation Centre), a technology centre designed to help retail service providers (RSPs) build and deliver services over the Next Generation National Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) in Singapore. The services will help enable Singaporeans to take advantage of the collaborative potential of an ultra-high-speed broadband platform.

With support from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Cisco will invest up to US$18 million over the next three years for the development of the centre. Cisco will also hire engineers and key managers to staff the centre, and expects to bring in additional talent to support on-going development work as needed.

EPIC@SG will provide government agencies, enterprises and RSPs with a platform to conceptualise, develop, test and deploy new services for businesses and consumers. The creation of up to 30 next generation services and new RSPs developed through the centre is expected to add between US$150 million to US$270 million in revenues to the Singapore economy, as well as create up to 1,800 high-value information technology jobs by 2015.

“We are proud to collaborate with the Singapore government to launch what is Cisco’s first EPIC centre in the world. Visionary countries like Singapore understand that the network is the fourth utility, enhancing global competitiveness, innovation and standard of living,” said Wim Elfrink, executive vice president, Cisco Services and the company’s chief globalisation officer.

“EPIC@SG is a key component in our global strategy to bring innovation centres closer to where we see new business models and new world services emerging.”

Expected to be operational by July 2009, EPIC@SG will also serve as a training hub for local technical talent in next-generation networking, applications and services. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the centre will train local talent on the most advanced network technologies through internship programs with local educational institutions and through on-the-job training with retail service providers.

EPIC@SG has been designed for government agencies, local and foreign enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups. They can come into EPIC@SG’s facility to engage the services of experts from Cisco and other partners and make use of Cisco’s networking technologies. All applications will be standards-based, built on an open Internet Protocol platform and accessible on any device.

The key benefits for organisations working with EPIC@SG include:

- No upfront capital investment in infrastructure and equipment – EPIC@SG offers all the necessary equipment, tools, labs and workspaces necessary, significantly lowering the financial barrier of entry.
- Strong application and network integration expertise. EPIC@SG has architecture and design experts in information communications and technology, as well as business applications, hardware and networks.
- Standards-based innovation philosophy. The centre offers the ability to mix and match components that best fit the needs of the retail service providers and other organisations.
- Living lab for next-generation services. EPIC@SG can test the scalability and impact of new services on the local market, as well as regional markets, before the services are implemented on a global scale.

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