Be aware of scammers impersonating as IMDA officers and report any suspicious calls to the police. Please note that IMDA officers will never call you nor request for your personal information. For scam-related advice, please call the Anti-Scam helpline at 1800-722-6688 or go to www.scamalert.sg.

Free Wireless Broadband? Experience It This September!

Singapore 2006 Delegates to Experience Seamless Infocomm Technologies Singaporeans and IMF-World Bank delegates have yet another reason to smile this September during Singapore 2006 (S2006). They can enjoy free wireless broadband at Suntec Singapore Inte ...

Singapore, 02 September 2006 | For Immediate Release

Singapore 2006 Delegates to Experience Seamless Infocomm Technologies

Singaporeans and IMF-World Bank delegates have yet another reason to smile this September during Singapore 2006 (S2006). They can enjoy free wireless broadband at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Suntec City Mall, Raffles City Shopping Centre, CityLink Mall, Millenia Walk and Marina Square Shopping Centre. This free month-long Wireless@SG service is organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) as a lead-up to the commercial deployment of Wireless@SG in January 2007, nation-wide.

The month-long free service was announced by Dr. Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications & The Arts and Foreign Affairs at the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation's (SiTF) Volunteers' Day. He said, "Infocomm has the power to change and better the lives of our communities. I hope Singaporeans and our IMF-World Bank friends can make time to enjoy this free Wi-Fi access and experience how Infocomm changes the way we work, live, learn and play."

September's free Wireless@SG is part of Singapore's Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure roll-out, which also includes the fixed Next Generation National Broadband. Users of the September network will enjoy free, seamless, in-door wireless broadband access with speeds of up to 512kbps at most public areas within the five shopping malls. IDA invites the public to experience the September Wireless@SG network for themselves and to provide any feedback to improve the service.

In addition to the free wireless broadband access, IDA which is leading the Communications Infrastructure sub-committee, has also worked with both local and multi-national infocomm companies to provide a comprehensive suite of infocomm infrastructural support and technologies for IMF-World Bank delegates. Some highlights of technologies deployed for S2006 include the use of 3G mobile phones and the provision of E-messaging kiosks for delegates.

To ensure smooth operation of the event, the specially designed Organising Committee Tracking and Update System (OCTUS) will be deployed. For instance, when VIP delegates arrive in Singapore, they will be received by a liaison officer who will use a 3G phone to update the arrival and alert the hotel liaison officer to receive them. Singapore is the first host government to deploy 3G mobile phones at an IMF and World Bank event.

The 30 E-Messaging Kiosks located at the Level 3 Concourse will enable participants to send and receive internal e-messages, and access the Internet. Delegates can also utilise the printing facilities available from these kiosks. Student Volunteers serving as venue assistants will be on hand to guide delegates in the operation of the kiosks.

To ensure that the delegates enjoy seamless access to infocomm technologies, both wired and wireless network infrastructure will be deployed. There are more than 12,000 cabling points and 960km worth of cables in use; this is enough cables to go from east to west of Singapore 21 times. The meetings will also be equipped with high-speed local digital leased circuits, Internet broadband access, desktop computers, printers and telephone lines to allow day-to-day operations and communications.

Another highlight for IMF-World Bank delegates is the technology showcase at IDA's office in Suntec Tower Three, showcasing what the workplace in the financial industry will be like in the future. They will get a first hand experience of how emerging infocomm technologies can be used in an office and home environment that allow executives in the financial sector to work better in three to five years. This presents a rare occasion for delegates to interact with technologies that have yet to be experienced in the office and home of today.

Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive/Director-General (Telecoms) said, "We are pleased that our infocomm partners are participating in this event, with each providing their areas of expertise. Their support and involvement are instrumental in making Singapore 2006 a success. Having a well-connected and seamless Infocomm infrastructure in place is integral for the operation of such a large scale international event. This further attests Singapore's position as a leader in infocomm technology exploitation and a global infocomm hub."

Please refer to Annex A for the total seamless connectivity enjoyed by IMF-World Bank delegates during Singapore 2006. These include free Wi-Fi, 3G phones, E-Messaging and other Internet services.

Please refer to Annex B for Infocomm partners' contribution to S2006.


ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more news and information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/.

About Singapore 2006: Global City. World of Opportunities

Singapore will host the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in September 2006. The Annual Meetings will be the largest international financial sector conference ever hosted by Singapore.

Along with the Annual Meetings, approximately over 300 meetings and seminars will also take place from September 13 to 20, 2006. These include the G-7 Finance Ministers' Meeting, the Programme of Seminars, the Raffles Forum, the Per Jacobsson Lecture and the Group of Thirty International Banking Seminar. The Annual Meetings, together with the series of prominent international forums, meetings, seminars, events and the inaugural Singapore Biennale 2006 (a 2-month visual arts extravaganza from September 4 to November 12, 2006), are collectively known as Singapore 2006.

Singapore 2006 is a showcase of Singapore's collective capabilities and an expression of our aspirations for the future - a global city with a world of opportunities. The series of events will highlight Singapore as a cosmopolitan society, and a dynamic, well-connected and entrepreneurial economy with tremendous opportunities in the financial, business, technology, social as well as arts and culture arenas.

Singapore 2006 is expected to attract more than 16,000 participants, including delegates from 184 countries such as heads of government, finance ministers and central bank governors, top financiers, international media, business leaders and other visitors.

For More Information:

For media clarification, please contact:

Ms Dawn LIM
Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communications
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 0514
Fax : +65 6211 2227
Email: dawn_lim@imda.gov.sg

Ms Lena HAN
Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communications
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 0649
Fax : +65 6211 2227
Email: lena _han@imda.gov.sg

Annexes
Title Date of Issue
Annex A - Infocomm Technologies and Infrastructure Deployed at Singapore 2006 (13.53KB) 02 September 2006
Annex B - Infocomm Partners' Contribution to Singapore 2006 (21.49KB) 02 September 2006

LAST UPDATED: 17 MAR 2023