IMDA consults on amendments to Code of Practice for Info-communication Facilities in Buildings

28 April 2026

On 18 March 2026, the Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (“IMDA”) issued a public consultation on proposed amendments to the Code of Practice for Info-communication Facilities in Buildings (“COPIF”). The public consultation closes at 12 noon on 18 May 2026.

Background

COPIF first came into effect on 15 September 2000. The purpose of COPIF is 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 info-communication services to their buildings and surrounding properties (“Space and Facilities”). The COPIF also sets out the duties of BOs and telecommunication licensees (“Licensees”) in relation to the provision, maintenance, and utilisation of the relevant Space and Facilities.

The last review of COPIF was completed in 2018. The proposed amendments seek to facilitate the deployment of mobile network infrastructure on rooftops to improve mobile coverage for end users, incorporate requirements to enhance network and service resilience of buildings providing vital services, and update the in-building cable infrastructure and facilities for telecommunication systems.

Key amendments

Specifically, given market and technology developments and changing consumer demands for telecommunication services, IMDA is proposing the following key amendments to COPIF to further facilitate deployment and upgrading of fixed line and mobile network infrastructure:

  • Mobile installation space (“MIS”) locations are to be pre-determined and incorporated into the development designs of new developments;
  • BOs are to extend telecommunication risers to first basement carparks and install telecommunication cable trays there to allow mobile network operators (“MNOs”) to install equipment more expeditiously;
  • The COPIF MIS framework is to be extended to street lampposts. Both the owners of street lampposts and owners of land adjacent to the street lampposts (where base stations and ancillary equipment are placed) will be required to facilitate mobile deployment at no rental charge;
  • Where a BO reasonably requires MNOs to relocate from the current MIS to another location within the same development whether temporarily or permanently, (i) the BO is to provide all relevant information on its plans to the MNOs for their study and planning; (ii) the BO is to provide an alternate MIS for the relocation, where feasible; and (iii) the MNO is to bear the cost of relocating its equipment and the BO is to bear the cost of reinstating the space to its original condition or any other intended purpose;
  • BOs will be allowed to recover the costs of administering rooftop access to MNOs, including charges for security and escort services. IMDA is considering setting rates based on industry benchmarks;
  • IMDA intends to publish a sample MIS agreement template for BOs and MNOs to adopt;
  • Given that BOs have a continuing obligation to provide an MIS under COPIF and to avoid potential disruption to mobile services:
    • Upon the transfer of a property from one BO to another, any MIS provided by the outgoing BO shall be automatically designated as an MIS in respect of the incoming BO unless, and until (i) the parties agree otherwise; or (ii) IMDA makes a written decision that the space shall no longer be an MIS; and
    • Where parties have entered into a written agreement for the provision of an MIS, the space identified as MIS shall be automatically designated as an MIS after the expiry or termination of the said agreement unless and until (i) the parties agree otherwise; or (ii) IMDA makes a written decision that the space shall no longer be an MIS.
  • MNOs are to engage a structural professional engineer at the MNOs’ own expense to certify that their proposed mobile deployments are structurally safe before carrying out any works. MNOs are to submit a copy of the PE endorsement to the BOs for reference; and
  • Buildings designated as “special development” and “special infrastructure” under the Infrastructure Protection Act 2017 are to comply with the requirements that apply to buildings providing vital services (e.g. hospitals and utility plants) in relation to providing separate telecommunication Space and Facilities at a separate location as part of resilience and diversity needs.

Additionally, IMDA is seeking industry feedback on (i) the appropriate in-building cabling standard to support fixed broadband speeds above 10Gbps for new residential developments; (ii) reduced telecommunication Space and Facilities to allow optimisation of space in single-user buildings; (iii) the approach for construction and interim ownership of lead-in pipes (“LIPs”) and the transfer arrangements of the LIPs from Licensee(s) to a developer or BO once the latter has been identified; and (iv) other potential changes to enable Singapore’s telecommunication infrastructure to be future-ready to support Singapore digital economy.

Reference materials

The consultation paper is available on the relevant webpage on the IMDA website www.imda.gov.sg.