PM Lee reveals details of Wireless@SG, Singapore's free wireless connectivity during the innovationation gala dinner

A High Five To Two Years of Free WI-FI
Details of Singapore's free wireless connectivity were revealed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Innovationation, a public exhibition that celebrates 25 years of Infocomm development in Singapore. Part of the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure (Next Gen NII), the wireless service, callled Wireless@SG, will be launched in 2007.

From January 2007, free wireless broadband connectivity will be available island wide in areas of high human traffic such as the Central Business District, Orchard Road and HDB Town Centres (town centres of public housing estates).

Singaporean can look forward to the launch of Wireless@SG in January 2007

Wireless@SG, a broadband programme developed and run by three local wireless operators (iCELL Network Pte Ltd, QMAX Communications and SingTel Ltd) will provide connectivity at speeds of 512 kilobits per second (kbps). With this, Singaporeans will get to enjoy Internet-based services like email, instant messages, online games and VoIP (Voice Over IP) beyond their homes or offices.

Although each operator will be covering a specific area of the island, subscribers can access the Wireless@SG network from any of the designated hotspots regardless of who they sign up with. They will also be able to switch seamlessly between networks as they move around.

Those looking for connectivity beyond the standard 512 kpbs can can also tap on the premium services provided by the three operators at a fee. These paid services will offer access to other premium contents such as video streaming, online gaming, location-based services etc.

The government hopes to reach out to more Singaporeans and equip everyone to take full advantage of the digital opportunities that are opening up

Wireless@SG will stay for at least two years, after which access is still expected to remain "highly affordable", PM Lee disclosed during the innovationation gala dinner.

iCELL, QMAX and SingTel will jointly invest about S$100 million to deploy Wireless@SG over the next two years, of which up to S$30 million will be defrayed by the Government. The government hopes this will grow the broadband market from the current 50,000 users to about 250,000 users in two years as well as prompt businesses to roll out more services that can be delivered over such broadband networks.

Infocomm as a Powerful Enabler For Everyone
Mr Lee also painted a vision in which IT businesses can grow and jobs are created as Singaporeans get wired island-wide while ensuring that no one misses out on these opportunities. To this end, the government is reaching out to needy Singaporeans who may otherwise be left behind in the digital revolution. According to the Prime Minister, money is going to be set aside to help three groups of potential users -- needy students, the disabled and the elderly.

Older Singaporeans and the disabled community will not be left behind in the digital revolution

The "NEU PC" scheme that offers needy families PCs (Personal Computers) at affordable rates will be expanded and the "NEU PC Plus" scheme will include a new PC with 3 years of unlimited broadband access for less than S$300 to students from low income families.

Older Singaporeans and the disabled community will also not be left out as the IDA will work closely with grassroots organizations, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) and industry partners to provide Infocomm training and employment opportunities.

By working with different government agencies and the industry, PM Lee said that the government hopes to reach out to more Singaporeans and equip everyone to take full advantage of the digital opportunities that are opening up.