9 April 2015 - Households with income less than $1,900, do not have school-going children and have at least one Singapore citizen are able to apply for 100Mbps fibre broadband connectivity and a tablet at a subsidized rate of $6 per month.
Singapore, 9 April 2015 | For Immediate Release
Direct Applications open from 1 April 2015
Households with income less than $1,900, do not have school-going children and have at least one Singapore citizen are able to apply for 100Mbps fibre broadband connectivity and a tablet at a subsidized rate of $6 per month. This is part of the Home Access Programme developed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) that is expected to benefit 8,000 households over the next four years.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, gave more details on the programme, at the MCI Workplan Seminar on 9 April 2015. He first announced the Home Access programme in 2014 where he said the programme would draw on the $10 million Digital Inclusion Fund. Supported by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), the programme is open for direct applications from all eligible households since 1 April 2015.
The Home Access programme is developed by IDA and administered in partnership with community organisations and companies to ensure that everyone can enjoy connectivity and live a digital lifestyle. The five self-help groups namely the Association for Muslim Professionals, Chinese Development Assistance Council, Singapore Indian Development Association, Eurasian Association and Yayasan MENDAKI, will help to process applications. Home Access brochures and applications forms are available at all community clubs and Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF) Social Service Offices.
In addition, telecommunications company M1, which has been appointed by IDA as its broadband service provider for the Home Access programme, will conduct free regular training workshops for the beneficiaries. The workshops starting in June 2015 will help the beneficiaries learn how to use their tablets and email. RSVP Singapore - The Organisations of Senior Volunteers is also conducting training sessions for senior beneficiaries of Home Access, in the month of May.
Ms Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director of the IDA, said, "In Singapore, no one should be left behind by the march of technology. IT usage often begins at home, so the Home Access programme will help lower-income households without Internet access to get connected to high-speed fibre broadband. It complements the NEU PC Plus programme which helps school-going children from lower-income households enjoy broadband connectivity and own a personal computer. Whether it is for video conferencing, surfing the internet or simply maintaining contact with family and friends on social media, these Digital Inclusion initiatives are designed to help all groups to live, learn, play and feel included in a digitally connected Smart Nation."
For more details, refer to Annexes.
ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Related Resources
- Annex 1: Factsheet for the Overview of Digital Inclusion Programme (63.43KB)
- Annex 2: Factsheet for Home Access (46.33KB)
- Annex 3: Home Access programme Brochure (2.57MB)
- Annex 4: Step-by-Step Guide (Home Access)
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
Mehul SHAH (Mr)
Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1557
Email: mehul_shah@imda.gov.sg
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