MDDI and IMDA seek comments on draft Digital Infrastructure Bill

16 July 2026

On 1 July 2026, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (“MDDI”) and the Info-communications Media Development Authority (“IMDA”) launched a consultation on a draft Digital Infrastructure Bill (“Bill”) which seeks to uplift the security and resilience of digital infrastructure services and the environmental sustainability of data centre (“DC”) operations in Singapore. The consultation closes at 10am on 22 July 2026.

Digital infrastructure services, such as DC facility services and cloud computing services, are a foundational part of Singapore’s growing digital economy, underpinning Singapore’s digital connectivity.

The Bill seeks to achieve the following objectives:

  • Ensure providers of major DC facility services and major cloud computing services take measures to maintain an adequate level of security and resilience, so as to reduce the risks and mitigate the impact of disruptions;
  • Enhance regulatory visibility of cybersecurity incidents and service delivery disruptions affecting major DC facility services and cloud computing services; and
  • Impose and uplift baseline environmental sustainability standards across the DC sector.

Set out below are the key features of the Bill.

New licensing regime for major FDI service providers to enhance security and resilience

The Bill will establish a new licensing regime and regulatory framework for major foundational digital infrastructure (“FDI”) services provided to users in Singapore. The licensing requirement applies to every major FDI services provider, whether the provider is located in or outside Singapore.

A major FDI service refers to any FDI service which:

  • if provided from within or outside Singapore, the loss or impairment of the provision of which is likely to lead to or cause disruption or deterioration of the operations of a large number of businesses or organisations in Singapore which rely on or are enabled by that service;
  • if provided wholly or partially from Singapore, the loss or impairment of the provision of which is likely to lead to or cause disruption or deterioration of the operations of a large number of businesses or organisations (in or outside Singapore) which rely on or are enabled by that service; and
  • is specified as a major FDI service in the Schedule to the Bill. The Schedule will specify the following as major FDI services:
    • major DC facility service, i.e. a DC facility service delivered in a DC which carries a critical IT load of at least 10 megawatts, which is used to serve other parties unrelated to the operator of the DC; and
    • major regulated cloud computing service, i.e. a regulated cloud computing service (defined as a cloud computing service that falls within the categories of Infrastructure-as-a-Service or Platform-as-a-Service, but not Software-as-a-Service) that has generated revenue from users in Singapore of at least S$100 million per year on average over the three preceding years.

Major FDI service providers will be required to apply to IMDA for a major FDI licence. Licensees must take measures to ensure the security and resilience of their major FDI services including:

  • implementing processes and measures to ensure the security (including the physical security and cybersecurity) of their services;
  • implementing business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure timely resumption of their services from interruptions to their business activities and processes; and
  • notifying IMDA of the occurrence of cybersecurity incidents or service delivery disruptions.

Detailed requirements and practices for major FDI service providers will be set out in regulations and codes of practice.

New licensing regime for DC operators to enhance sustainability

Operators of DCs (i.e. with a critical IT load of at least three megawatts) will be required to apply to IMDA for a DC licence. The requirements applicable to DC licence holders primarily aim to impose and uplift baseline sustainability standards across the DC sector. The licensing requirement applies to every operator of a DC located in Singapore, whether the operator is located in or outside Singapore.

The licensing requirement (and associated licensing obligations) does not apply to data centres operated by licensees under the Telecommunications Act 1999, Electricity Act 2001, and Gas Act 2001 and dedicated to supporting activities that are the subject of the licence of the licensee.

An operator of a DC that also provides a major DC facility service will be required to hold both a major FDI licence and a DC licence.

In assessing an application for a DC licence, IMDA will consider the applicant’s experience and capability in operating a DC, and the energy and water efficiency of the DC. Other factors that may be considered include the DC’s energy sources (e.g. the renewability of its energy sources, and the extent of greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of electricity used), and the extent to which the applicant’s current and proposed business operations are or will be of economic or strategic importance to Singapore’s economy.

Licensed DC operators will be required to meet facility-level energy efficiency requirements, specifically, power usage effectiveness requirements. The Bill will empower IMDA to provide for requirements and practices relating to information technology equipment energy efficiency and facility-level water efficiency requirements in the future. IMDA will consult DC operators before finalising such requirements and practices, which will be set out in regulations and codes of practice.

Enforcement powers

Under the Bill, IMDA will be given the following powers:

  • Licensing powers: IMDA may grant, renew, suspend, or revoke major FDI licences and DC licences, and impose or modify the conditions of such licences.
  • Codes of practice and directions: IMDA may issue codes of practice and directions to licensees, including directions to require compliance with any code of practice applicable to the licensee.
  • Financial penalties: IMDA may impose financial penalties for non-compliance with requirements under the Bill.
  • Enforcement and investigation: IMDA enforcement officers will be given powers to investigate offences under the Bill.

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the MDDI website www.mddi.gov.sg and IMDA website www.imda.gov.sg: