22 August 2016 - Selected US visitors to Singapore can now connect to Wireless@SG via the SIM-login feature1 – a first for foreign visitors. The feature will be made available from 22 August to 21 September as part of a trial conducted by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), in partnership with Land Transport Authority (LTA), M1 Limited (M1), Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), and Singtel.
Date: 22 Aug 2016
Singapore, 22 August | For Immediate Release
Singapore and US cities join inaugural City Wi-Fi Roaming Project
Selected US visitors to Singapore can now connect to Wireless@SG via the SIM-login feature1 – a first for foreign visitors. The feature will be made available from 22 August to 21 September as part of a trial conducted by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), in partnership with Land Transport Authority (LTA), M1 Limited (M1), Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), and Singtel.
T-Mobile US subscribers can simply perform a one-time setup on their SIM devices (refer to Appendix I for the guide), and connect automatically to Wireless@SG around 290 hotspots at the designated test areas – Sentosa and major MRT stations2. All other US visitors can sign up for a free account and connect to all Wireless@SG hotspots by following the steps detailed in www.ida.gov.sg/wireless-sg-guides.
The trial is taking place in conjunction with the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) City Wi-Fi Roaming Project. Singapore visitors will be able to roam automatically and securely between free public Wi-Fi hotspots in San Jose, San Francisco and New York from 22 August to 21 September.
There are more than 1,000 hotspots in total with 280 in downtown San Francisco, 500 in San Jose, 200 in New York via LinkNYC kiosks. Logging into the free public Wi-Fi hotspots in the participating US cities is easy. Visitors simply need to download a configuration file3 and perform a one-time setup for auto-connection to the participating cities’ hotspots.
The City Wi-Fi Roaming Project is a supporting activity of World Wi-Fi Day (www.worldwifiday.com) initiative. Both initiatives are backed by the Connected City Advisory Board, which aims to deliver the vision of Connected Cities around the world.
Mr Khoong Hock Yun, IDA’s Assistant Chief Executive said, “There is strong synergy between IDA and WBA in our drive to continually enhance the wireless connectivity experience for users. Wi-Fi is fast becoming a daily necessity and Wireless@SG as the largest city-wide federated Wi-Fi network will be an important enabler to improve connectivity and liveability in Singapore as we move towards a SmartNation. IDA is delighted to be part of the City Wi-Fi Roaming Project, allowing us to share the Wireless@SG connectivity experience with visitors coming from the US. Trialling the SIM-login method for foreign visitors is something new to us, and we hope to gather new insights, fine tune technical challenges, and enhance the Wireless@SG programme further.”
“M1 customers enjoy the best data roaming experience through our Data Passport, OnAir inflight and Cruise On-Waves maritime service, and we are pleased to complement those services with access to 1,000 hotspots in the United States through our participation in the inaugural Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) City Wi-Fi Roaming Project,” said Mr Patrick Scodeller, Chief Operating Officer, M1.
Eu Kwang Chin, Divisional Director for Information Technology at Sentosa Development Corporation said: “We are glad to be part of this pilot initiative that will provide guests visiting Sentosa with more engaging experiences on the island. In building a fun and smart Sentosa, we have implemented a range of mobile solutions over the years to offer greater convenience and value for our visitors, as well as enhanced wireless connectivity across the island. From way-finding to obtaining useful information about the island’s exciting attractions and other offerings, visitors can now do so at their fingertips with more than 200 Wireless@SG hotspots across the island, covering both indoors and expansive outdoor areas including our beachfronts. Visitors can also now stay connected easily at one of Singapore’s largest free outdoor Wi-Fi sites, and share their experiences at #thestateoffun!”
Mr Andrew Lim, Managing Director, Business Group, Group Enterprise at Singtel said, “We are very pleased to support the World Wi-Fi Day - City Roaming Initiatives in Singapore. As one of the original providers of Wireless@SG since 2006, we are pleased to welcome visitors from the peering US cities to use our free and seamless Wireless@SG network in designated trial hotspots in Singapore and enjoy enterprise-grade, high-speed connectivity.
1SIM login feature uses the SIM card as the credential for auto login (requires a one-time device setup) to Wireless@SG. SIM login do not require registration and is currently supported by most mobile devices with a LOCAL SIM card.
2These train stations are City Hall, Raffles Place, Dhoby Ghaut, Orchard, Harbourfront and Chinatown. The hotspots at these train stations are provided by Singtel.
3Available at https://worldwifiday.odyssys.net
ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
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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. Follow IDA on Facebook IDA.Singapore and Twitter @IDAsg.
For media clarifications, please contact:
Grace CHIANG (Ms)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
DID: (65) 6211 3863
Email: Grace_chiang@imda.gov.sg
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