The Infocomm Media Development Authority (“IMDA“) is conducting a public consultation on the review of the Code of Practice for Info-communication Facilities in Buildings (“COPIF“) from 18 March 2026 to 18 May 2026. In view of market and technology developments and changing consumer demands for telecommunication services, IMDA intends to amend the current edition of COPIF to further facilitate deployment and upgrading of fixed line and mobile network infrastructure.
The COPIF is intended to ensure that developers/owners of buildings (“BOs“) provide adequate space and facilities for the deployment and operation of installation and plant to be used to provide infocommunication services to their buildings and surrounding properties. The COPIF also sets out the duties to be observed by BOs and telecommunication licensees (“Licensees“) in relation to the provision, maintenance and utilisation of the relevant space and facilities.
The key amendments proposed by IMDA include the following:
- Provision of mobile installation space (“MIS”) in new developments: Inclusion of an engagement process requiring BOs of new developments and mobile network operators (“MNOs“) to identify the MIS location during the development design phase.
- Provision of telecommunication infrastructure in basement carparks in new buildings: BOs are to extend telecommunication risers, and install telecommunication cable trays, to the first basement carparks.
- Enable street-level mobile connectivity using street lampposts: Owners of the street lampposts and owners of land adjacent to the street lampposts will be required to facilitate mobile deployment at no rental charge.
- Enhance clarity on requirements under COPIF to facilitate faster mobile deployments into buildings: This includes clarification on the respective obligations and bearing of costs for (i) relocation of mobile equipment; (ii) resources incurred by BOs for MNOs’ access into buildings; (iii) sample agreement template; (iv) change of BO and expiry of MIS Agreement; and (v) endorsement by a structural professional engineer.
- Upgrade of in-building cabling to support fixed-line broadband speed beyond 10Gbps: IMDA seeks industry feedback on an appropriate in-building cabling standard to support fixed broadband speeds above 10Gbps for new residential developments.
- Reduced telecommunication space and facilities to allow optimisation of space in single-user buildings: Removal of the need for small single-user non-residential developments to provide a main distribution frame room, and to reduce the number of lead-in and underground pipes from six to four.
- Minimise public disruption with advance laying of lead-in pipes: Licensees are to construct the lead-in pipes into the boundary of the developments that are selected by relevant government agencies.
- Enhance resilience and diversity of buildings providing critical services: Buildings designated as Special Development and Special Infrastructure must comply with the same requirements applicable to buildings providing vital services.
Click on the following link for more information:
- Public Consultation on the Review of the Code of Practice for Info-communication Facilities in Buildings (available on the IMDA website at imda.gov.sg)
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