900 Low-Income Pre-Qualified Households to enjoy Free Home Broadband and Tablets

New IM Bonding Learning Project provides 1-to-1 tutorials for seniors to kick-start their digital journey

SINGAPORE - 31 MAY, 2017: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), together with the support from corporate sponsors¹, will provide 900 pre-qualified² low-income households the opportunity to sign up for home broadband and tablets, at no cost. The other low-income households can also enjoy subsidised home broadband with the option to own a tablet. As part of IMDA’s Digital Inclusion efforts to empower the vulnerable segments with access to technology, the new IM Bonding Learning Project complements the aim by providing 1-to-1 dedicated tutorials for seniors from low-income households to learn how to use the tablet device and to navigate the Internet.

The IM Bonding Learning Project is a tripartite collaboration among Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Lions Befrienders (LB) and POSB, leveraging the respective parties’ area of expertise in the public, people and private domains, to strengthen communities through technology.

The senior participants at the workshop were those who were keen to learn more about using the tablet and the Internet. With guidance from the staff of POSB, seniors aged between 60s to 80s experienced first-hand the immediacy of technology and how a technology tool and the Internet can bring them closer to loved ones, and bring conveniences to their lives. Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Communications and Information & Ministry of Education, Dr Janil Puthucheary, attended the session to encourage and recognise the efforts of the seniors who had stepped forward to learn.

“As IMDA strives towards a digital economy for Singapore, we are also nurturing a digital society where everyone is connected. With the support from partners in the private and community sectors, like POSB and Lions Befrienders, we are able to help more low-income families access the internet and benefit from digital services,” said Mr Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive, IMDA.

The IM Bonding Learning Project comprises eight 3-hour per sessions, and will focus on using technology for social connectedness. Participants from low-income households can now have the chance to try out the tablet, and learn different useful IT skills including basic introduction to the device and Internet, Digital TV, e-Communication, social media, POSB’s Digibank and Paylah! apps, and more. The entire curriculum is spread out over an 8-week learning journey.

Ms Susan Cheong, Head of POSB said, “As the People’s Bank, POSB has served generations of Singaporeans and together with many of our seniors today, we hold an important role in many of our nation building initiatives. The world is becoming more digital and we want to play our part to ensure that our seniors are not left behind. As we move together towards Singapore’s vision of a digital future, we want to help empower our seniors through this initiative and take full advantage of POSB’s suite of digital banking services so as to enjoy greater convenience.”

The Home Access Programme is part of the Digital Inclusion effort under IMDA. To-date about 8,000 low-income households³ have benefitted from the programme since 2014. The Home Access Programme targets to benefit another 16,000 low-income families starting from April 2017.

¹ The corporate sponsors are POSB, NTUC FairPrice Foundation and NetLink Trust.

² Pre-Qualification refers to households with at least one member who is an existing beneficiary of selected government assistance schemes (i.e. Public Assistance Scheme) and will be invited to sign up with IMDA directly.

³ The Home Access Programme applies for low-income households with no children attending school. Low-income households with students should tap on the NEU PC Plus.

Related Resource
Annex A - Home Access Factsheet (312.41KB)

ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

About Infocomm Media Development Authority

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will develop a vibrant, world-class infocomm media sector that drives the economy, connects people, bonds communities and powers Singapore's Smart Nation vision. IMDA does this by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore's ICT and media infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment. IMDA also enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission. For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg and Twitter @IMDAsg.

About Lions Befrienders

Lions Befrienders (LB) has more than 20 years of history in working with the community to provide friendship and care for seniors to age in place with community participation, enabling them to enjoy meaningful and enriching lives. Today, LB reaches out to more than 5,000 vulnerable seniors islandwide through befriending and community outreach services. In befriending services, volunteers are trained to conduct home visits to befriend seniors who are at risk of social isolation; while outreach services include senior activity centres that engage seniors in meaningful activities and cluster support programmes that provide step-up assistance for frail seniors through case management and counselling.

About POSB
A part of the DBS Group, POSB is the largest and oldest local bank in Singapore with over 4 million customers. Having served generations of Singaporeans for the past 140 years, it is known as the "People's Bank", and prides itself on being "neighbours first, bankers second".

With a good understanding of Singaporeans through the years, POSB offers products and services that are relevant to the savings, borrowing, investment and insurance needs of all Singaporeans. With over 50 branches conveniently located islandwide, and over 1,000 ATMs and Cash Acceptance Machines across the island, POSB's distribution network is the largest in Singapore.

POSB acknowledges the passion, commitment and can-do spirit in each of its staff. For more information, please visit www.posb.com.sg.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Infocomm Media Development Authority

Candy POK (Ms)
Communications & Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 6211 1706
Email: candy_pok@imda.gov.sg

LOH Wei Shan (Ms)
Communications & Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 6202 4411
Email: loh_wei_shan@imda.gov.sg

Lions Befrienders

Marianne TAN (Ms)
Communications & Partnerships
DID: (65) 6681 4937
Email: mariannetan@lionsbefrienders.org.sg

POSB

Roy CHEW (Mr)
Group Strategic Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank
DID: (65) 6878 5544
Mobile: (65) 9727 9278
Email: roychew@dbs.com

TAY Sze Lynn (Ms)
Group Strategic Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank
DID: (65) 6682 8738
Mobile: (65) 8322 7180
Email: szelynn@dbs.com