2010 saw the launch of commercial services over the Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) by appointed Network Company (NetCo) OpenNet, the Operating Company (OpCo) Nucleus Connect and various service providers.

"OpenNet's rollout of the fibre network is on schedule. Over half of Singapore can now be served by the high speed broadband fibre network. Fibre will enable faster internet speeds which will immediately enable families to make better and more productive use of the time spent drawing on these online content and resources for work, communication, education and entertainment."

- Mr Tiong Onn Seng, Project Director, OpenNet Pte Ltd

In April, OpenNet introduced wholesale dark fibre services allowing qualified operators to obtain fibre connections on a “per end-user or a per segment” basis. Since the deployment of the Next Gen NBN began in 2009, OpenNet has covered about 60 per cent of all homes and buildings in Singapore and is on track to reach 95 per cent nationwide coverage by 2012.

"Since Nucleus Connect's commercial operations on 31 August 2010, it has been an exciting scene on the Singapore infocomm landscape. Today, our service providers LGA Telecom, M1, SingTel, StarHub and SuperInternet have made services such as high-speed Internet access, wide area networks and interactive TV available on the Next Gen NBN. Nucleus Connect is also in good stead to deploy the active infrastructure of the Next Gen NBN, and will continue to work closely with the network company and the service providers to make the delivery of these services to the end-users a seamless one."

- Mr David Storrie, Chief Executive Officer, Nucleus Connect Pte Ltd

In August, Nucleus Connect started commercial operations and started providing wholesale connectivity services to retail service providers on the Next Gen NBN with speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps.

"The 100Mbps experience changes the dynamics of the industry. For example, LGA's Telecommuting Service Offering enabled by the Next Gen NBN provides business with productivity and enhances worklife balance. The 100Mbps experience removes geographically boundaries and space. The Next Gen NBN provides a level playing field in the market place where RSPs will be able to succeed based on their creativity, innovations and skills and not by the amount of marketing and subsidy for cross selling. For an RSP, the IDA's initiative provides a strong value proposition for the consumer and retailer and truly position Singapore as a hub for infocomm."

- Mr Daniel Ang, Chief Executive Officer, LGA Telecom Pte Ltd

These developments pave the way for the delivery of services such as high-speed Internet access, Internet Protocol television (IPTV), HD video conferencing and Cloud applications to homes and businesses in Singapore. To provide members of the public with a first-hand look at these services, IDA launched the Infocomm Experience Centre (iExperience) at the Esplanade Exchange in June. Exhibits at the centre are themed according to daily activities such as Live, Work, Learn and Interact and show visitors how high-definition cameras, touch-screen computers and media-rich applications ride on the high-speed network.

In a further boost for connectivity, the Singapore Internet Exchange (SGIX) launched its services on 15 June 2010. The move is expected to establish the nation as a regional hub for Internet traffic as well as lower operating costs and increase performance by providing faster and more seamless access to broadband services.

With SGIX providing a neutral and central point of Internet traffic exchange, telcos, Internet service providers and content providers now have a node within the country that can connect all its members to the exchange and to each other.

"SSA adoption and its accompanying Wireless@SG Connect applications will enable many of iCELL's business partners, especially malls and site owners, to leverage on the network. For example, iCELL has been putting in SSA-enabled Wireless@SG connectivity at SMRT stations to enable connection to digital signages and kiosks. Commuters will be able to login to Wireless@SG easily and will also be able to "interact" with the signage screens via these connections. Imagine being able to download an eBook, eNewspaper or eVoucher before you board your trains!"

- Mr Ken Chua, Chief Executive Officer, iCELL Network Pte Ltd

Singapore’s free and popular Wireless@SG service has also been enhanced to allow users to automatically and securely log in to the network. Seamless and Secure Access (SSA) is a new feature launched on 10 February 2010 that enables Wireless@SG users to do this when their device is at a Wireless@SG hotspot. This means users of the network would not have to re-enter their credentials each time they log in to access applications like Voice over IP, instant messaging and social networking.

Other new features of Wireless@SG which were introduced in 2010 include an application called Wireless@SG Connect, which helps configure popular mobile devices for SSA and allows users to quickly access Wireless@SG related applications and services. A Centralised Location-Based Engine has also been implemented enabling application developers to deliver location-sensing services over the network.