Two in five or 1.24 million Singaporeans are now broadband users. This is a 30 per cent increase from its 950,000 user-base in 2001. The finding was revealed by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) in its annual Survey on Broadband and Wireless Usage in Singapore, 2002...
Singapore, 15 April 2003 - For Immediate Release
30 Percent Growth in Broadband Users From 950,000 to 1.24 million
Two in five or 1.24 million Singaporeans are now broadband users. This is a 30 per cent increase from its 950,000 user-base in 2001. The finding was revealed by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) in its annual Survey on Broadband and Wireless Usage in Singapore, 2002.
"The 30 per cent increase in broadband users shows broadband has come of age in Singapore as a pervasive mode of high speed connectivity. This bodes well for Singapore's vision to see 50 per cent of our households1 on broadband by 2006." said Mr. Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive, Infocomm Development, IDA.
Survey Highlights
Refer also to attached Appendix (626.07KB) for graphical representation of Survey Highlights
Broadband Usage
Frequency
The Survey revealed that in 2002, Singaporeans used broadband more frequently compared to 2001. In 2001, 71 per cent of all broadband users typically spent an average of about 10 hours a week on broadband. But the usage rose 8 percentage points to hit 79 per cent in 2002.
Apart from increased usage, more Singaporeans are also accessing broadband from home (53 per cent in 2002 from 46 per cent in 2001), the workplace (49 per cent in 2002 from 46 per cent in 2001), schools (18 per cent in 2002 from 14 per cent in 2001) and other locations such as cyber caf?, libraries and public areas (12 per cent in 2002 from 11 per cent in 2001).
"Broadband is becoming a way of life for Singaporeans who are enjoying high speed access and rich media content, whether they are at home, the workplace, in public areas or schools. This is possible because Singapore has put in place the enabling infrastructure for 99 per cent nation-wide broadband coverage since 1997. " said Mr Khoong Hock Yun.
Applications
In terms of applications, most Singaporeans continued to use broadband to access emails in 2002 (94 per cent). Broadband was also used for online entertainment, in enhancing one's lifestyle.
For instance, working adults used broadband for online shopping (39 per cent), online banking (35 per cent), download/update of software applications (34 per cent), online music (34 per cent) and online government-related transactions (25 per cent).
The trend in using broadband to enhance one's lifestyle holds true for students as well.
In 2002, students used broadband for online music (57 per cent), download/ update of software applications (40 per cent), access online library services (32 per cent), online videos (23 per cent), online shopping (20 per cent) and e-learning (19 per cent).
"The Survey results show that Infocomm can be used to enrich our lives. Broadband connectivity helps to overcome physical limitations, by allowing Singaporeans to continue with their way of life and to seek entertainment, telecommute and e-learn regardless of where they are." added Mr. Khoong Hock Yun.
Content and Pricing
The Survey highlighted that broadband users are willing to pay for content but at prices deemed reasonable.
For instance, an average of 79 per cent of broadband users surveyed are prepared to pay not more than S$8 for children education content per viewing (68 per cent), online games per one-time subscription (72 per cent), 'live' webcast per month (87 per cent) and online videos per viewing (89 per cent).
However, if the price goes beyond S$8, an average of only 21 per cent of broadband users will pay for children education content per viewing (32 per cent), online games per one-time subscription (28 per cent), 'live' webcast per month (13 per cent) and online videos per viewing (11 per cent).
"To drive more sophisticated broadband usage, we hope content and access providers can offer consumers and businesses more compelling solutions and competitive pricing to help Singapore become a more connected nation in order attain higher quality and more productive lives at home or at work." said Mr. Khoong Hock Yun.
Wireless Usage
Mobile Phone Subscribers
As of November 2002, there were 3.2 million mobile phone subscribers in Singapore, representing a penetration rate of 76 per cent. This is a 14 per cent increase in the number of subscribers as compared to November 2001, where there were 2.8 million mobile phone subscribers.
80 per cent of the mobile phone subscribers interviewed in the Survey indicated they were SMS users. They also used the mobile phone to download ringtones and icons (29 per cent), participate in donations (17 per cent) and check leisure-related information such as food/ music reviews, horoscope, flight details (15 per cent).
Mobile Computing
Confirming the growing trend that broadband is used to enhance lifestyle, about one in eight Singaporeans saw the need for Wireless LAN to be installed at public places. Among this group, 76 per cent would like to see Wireless LAN access at cafes and restaurants while 74 per cent, at shopping malls.
In terms of pricing for Wireless LAN usage, 55 per cent preferred to pay based on connection time, with the majority (83 per cent) willing to pay up to a maximum of S$4 per hour. 33 per cent preferred to pay based on a flat monthly rate with the majority (67 per cent) willing to pay S$20 a month. The remaining 12 per cent preferred to pay based on data volume.
The Survey also revealed that about one in eight or 13 per cent of working Singaporeans (200,000) enhance their working lifestyle by telecommuting; citing benefits such as greater flexibility (92 per cent), time and cost savings (75 per cent), increased productivity (72 per cent), better balance between work and family commitments (71 per cent) and enhanced employment opportunities for the disabled (64 per cent).
The full IDA Survey on Broadband and Wireless Usage in Singapore 2002 can be downloaded from www.ida.gov.sg, at 'Infocomm Facts and Figures', 'Surveys'. The Survey involved 2,951 respondents, who were interviewed in October/ November 2002 based on a random sample of households in Singapore, provided by the Department of Statistics.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editors:
1 According to IDA's 2002 Survey on Infocomm Usage in Households, 17.7 per cent of households in Singapore have broadband access in 2001.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre in its roles as the country's Infocomm Regulator, Infocomm Promoter, as well as Chief Technology and Government Information Officers. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/.
For media clarification, please contact:
Ms Ho Hwei Ling/Mr Kelvin Lee
Senior Manager//Manager, Corporate Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
DID: +65-6211-1996/ 1726
Fax: +65-6211-2227
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