Wireless@SG

Wireless@SG is a wireless broadband programme developed by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore as part of its Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure initiative, being part of the nation's 10-year masterplan called Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015).

It will be run and developed in the next two years by three local wireless operators, SingTel, QMax and iCell who will deploy a wireless broadband network in Singapore. Users can enjoy free, both in-door and outdoor seamless wireless broadband access with speeds of up to 512 kbit/s at most public areas under the "basic-tier" package. It is, however, heavily monitored, regulated and censored.

The targeted users of this wireless broadband network are broadly classified as "people on the move" - people who require wireless broadband access while away from their homes, schools and offices. These include students, tourists, business travellers and enterprise users such as insurance agents and real estate agents who use widely-available and wireless-enabled devices such as notebook PCs and PDAs. Once connected, users will be able to access all Internet-based services e.g. online gaming, web surfing, instant messaging, VoIP and email.

In addition to the free "basic tier", there will be a paid "premium tier" for those hungry for bandwidth beyond 512 kbit/s, or for connectivity options with higher-quality of service. The three operators have different packages to suit different needs and there is no limit on the number of premium accounts users can sign up for.

Government Initiation

IDA issued a Call-for-Collaboration early 2006 for interested operators to provide such coverage. Late 2006, IDA has accepted the proposals from iCell Network Pte Ltd, QMAX Communications and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, to kick-start the nation's progressive deployment of a widely-available wireless network by September 2007.

The CFC on Wireless Broadband Market Development has the following two main objectives:

1. To accelerate the deployment of wireless broadband by providing coverage in locations where users out of their homes, schools and offices can conveniently access wireless broadband services using data-centric computing devices.

2. To catalyse the demand for wireless broadband services by increasing the number of wireless broadband users.

On 31 May 2007, Network deployment for all Primary Catchment Areas in all Regions was completed with the Secondary Catchment Areas in all Regions was completed on 30 Sep 2007.

The CFC is scheduled to be completed on 31 Dec 2008.

Accessing and Registration

iCell

SingTel

To connect to the Wireless@SG wireless broadband network, a user just needs a WiFi-enabled device, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, a web browser, and a registered Wireless@SG account. With this registered account, the user is able to roam within any of Wireless@SG's coverage areas, regardless of the operators' network.

Users are encourage by the IDA to install and activate Virtual Private Network (VPN) or other encryption mechanisms, Personal firewall; and Anti-virus software with the latest signature files. Avoidance of computer-to-computer wireless networking is also prescribed by the IDA for user's online security.

Wireless@SG is powered by the network of three wireless operators: iCell, QMax and SingTel. Following the announcement on October 10, 2006 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, that Singapore will get to enjoy two years of free wireless broadband connections from January next year, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) announced on November 30, 2006 that the three Wireless@SG operators have extended this free offering to three years. Users can also begin to enjoy wireless connectivity from December 1, 2006, one month ahead of schedule at selected hotspots for a start.

To enjoy the free Wi-Fi basic-tier access with surfing speeds of up to 512kbit/s, users can sign up with any of the three Wireless@SG network operators starting 1 December 2006. This offer is open to all residents and visitors in Singapore, and users can sign up with any operator to access all the hotspots in Wireless@SG. By September 2007, the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in Singapore will increase by more than five-fold from 900 to about 5,000.

There are various ways users can register for this service:

Online Account Application

Users with access to the Internet can log onto any of the three operators’ websites and complete an online registration form. Alternatively, they can click on the ‘New User Sign Up’ link found on the Wireless@SG log-in page when they select the Wireless@SG network at the coverage areas. The account will be activated immediately and a password sent to them via SMS.

Customer Service Centres

Those without mobile phones or online access can visit any of the operators’ customer service centres to register and collect their passwords. Users can also check with their operator of choice for other registration methods.

Coverage Areas

To access Wireless@SG, users need to be located within the respective Wireless@SG coverage areas. The latest coverage areas can be found at Google Earth and at the [http://www.infocomm123.sg/wireless_at_sg/coverage_areas IDA portal] .

Hotzones

West/South Region (by QMax)

* Bukit Timah
* Chinatown
* HarbourFront
* Jurong BirdPark
* Jurong West
* Jurong East
* Singapore River
* Tiong Bahru
* Upper Bukit Timah
* West Coast Park

North Region (by SingTel)

* Ang Mo Kio Central
* Bishan
* Checkpoint
* Hougang Central
* Kovan
* Mandai Zoo
* Novena
* Orchard
* Sembawang
* Sengkang
* Serangoon Central
* Thomson
* Toa Payoh
* Woodlands
* Yishun Central

East Region (by iCell)

* Changi Village
* Joo Chiat
* Marine Parade
* Pasir Ris Park
* Siglap
* Simei

References

External links

* [http://www.infocomm123.sg/wireless_at_sg Wireless@SG] Official Portal
* [http://www.ida.gov.sg/Programmes/20061027174147.aspx Wireless@SG Program] Introduction
* [http://www.ida.gov.sg/News%20and%20Events/20061204103552.aspx Extension of Free Access] to Wireless@SG (the news by IDA Singapore)

Operators

* [http://www.icellnetwork.com/ iCELL]
* [http://www.qmax.com.sg/wirelessatsg/index.html QMax]
* [http://home.singtel.com/wirelessSG/wsg_index.htm SingTel]