Singapore's WIreless-broadband-access for SEaPORT (WISEPORT) project received over 250 maritime subscription sign-ups - half its target of 500 subscribers for the entire pilot year - even before it was officially launched in March.

WISEPORT allows ships to enjoy wireless mobile broadband connectivity while operating in the Port of Singapore. WISEPORT will deploy a 802.16e mobile WiMAX network, and the coverage will stretch from the southern coast of Singapore to the port water limits. Under the project, at least six WiMAX base stations will be set up to provide coverage up to 15km from the southern shoreline.

Several coastal areas of mainland Singapore, including Tuas, Jurong, Pasir Panjang and Tanjong Pagar will also be covered by the WISEPORT network, allowing these maritime hotspots to benefit from the wireless broadband connectivity.

Since it was announced last September, shipyards and marine engineering companies, shipping lines, terminal operators, technology companies and government agencies have expressed interest to participate in the WISEPORT project. Among them are leading companies and organisations such as Shell, APL, Global Marine Transportation and Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI).

WISEPORT allows ships to enjoy wireless mobile broadband connectivity while operating in the Port of Singapore.

"WISEPORT will greatly enhance communications and operational efficiencies, as well as facilitate the development of new businesses. This strengthens the overall pro-enterprise environment of our maritime sector," said the Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), BG(NS) Tay Lim Heng.

"The MPA will continue to partner the industry, as well as various maritime stakeholders, to develop and implement new initiatives to further Singapore’s growth as a global hub port and maritime centre," he added.

A joint initiative by the MPA, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and QMax Communications (QMax), WISEPORT is the first project to be launched under the http://www.ida.gov.sg/Programmes/20060926113450.aspx?getPagetype=34 - a three-year S$12 million programme to promote the use of infocomm technologies in the port and maritime community. It leverages the Mobile WiMAX wireless broadband network to benefit the industry in a variety of important ways.

These include improving operational and business efficiencies, enhancing human communications and opening doors to new business opportunities that were previously hindered by high satellite communication costs. Activities that had to be done onshore, such as regulatory filings, electronic data exchanges and access to Internet-based applications, can now be replicated offshore.

QMax, the operator for the WISEPORT services, is offering a free 512kbps unlimited data access plan during the first year of the WISEPORT launch, subject to a one-time activation fee. Subscribers to this special package will each receive a thumbdrive-sized WiMAX modem which can be used to access wireless broadband anywhere from the southern port waters and offshore islands to mainland Singapore.