Free wireless access for S'pore extended till
2009
- Nov 30, 2006
AsiaOne
Free internet access at wireless hot spots across Singapore will be
extended from two to three years, the Infocomm Development
Authority of Singapore (IDA) announced today.
In an initiative that will be applauded by the tech savvy and those
constantly on the move, the three operators - iCELL Network Pte
Ltd, QMax Communications and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd -
supporting [email protected], which allows users to surf the internet at
broadband speed for free, will extend the free access till December
2009.
An IDA statement also said that wireless connectivity in public
hotspots will commence one month ahead of schedule at selected
hotspots, from tomorrow.
The initiative is part of the Next Generation National Infocomm
Infrastrusture which, when ready by 2012, will also comprise an
ultra-high speed wired network.
IDA Assistant Chief Executive, Infrastructure and Manpower
Development Group, Mr Khoong Hock Yun said: " Infocomm connectivity
has the power to enrich lives. With [email protected], we're another step
nearer a truly mobile lifestyle for Singaporeans as the country
progresses to becoming a globally connected and intelligent nation
by 2015."
IDA says [email protected] will be available at public areas with "high
human traffic". These include the CBD and downtown shopping malls
along Orchard Road, as well as HDB town centres. By September 2007,
IDA expects the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in Singapore to increase
by more than five-fold from 900 today to about 5, 000.
With surfing speeds of up to 512 kbps when the service kicks in,
users are also encouraged to give feedback on how to improve the
[email protected] service by email, to the operator they are signed with.
Details on Wi-Fi locations can be found on IDA's website
(www.ida.gov.sg ).
Subscription details
The service comes in two tiers: A standard, free "basic tier" and a
paid "premium tier". The latter provides higher bandwidth and
better connectivity options plus quality of service. Operators say
they have different packages to suit varying needs and there is no
cap on the number of premium accounts a user wants to have.
Users can sign up with any of
the three network operators starting 1 December
2006. The offer is open to all residents and
visitors within the republic.
Registration can be done online by filling up forms available on
the operators' websites. A password will be sent by SMS to the
subscriber's mobile phone. If the user is at any of the Wi-Fi
hotspots, simply select the [email protected] network and click on the
'New User Sign Up' button on the log-in page. Likewise, a password
will be sent via SMS.
For those without online access or mobile phones, they can still
register manually at any of the customer service outlets of the
operators.
For further alternatives, check with your operator of choice.
