15 October 2014 - As consumers use their mobile devices to access a growing range of data-rich applications, the quality of their mobile broadband experience will become increasingly important to them.
Singapore, 15 October 2014 | For Immediate Release
MyConnection SG App and National Internet Measurement Infrastructure are part of IDA's ongoing efforts to crowdsource data on consumers' broadband experience
As consumers use their mobile devices to access a growing range of data-rich applications, the quality of their mobile broadband experience will become increasingly important to them.
The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) launched the pilot for a mobile app today that aims to engage consumers to obtain better insights into consumers' mobile broadband usage experience and to help improve their experience. The MyConnection SG app utilises crowdsourcing to gather usage experience1 from users' mobile phones, such as broadband speed, latency and coverage on mobile networks such as 2G, 3G and 4G, as well as on Wi-Fi networks. Users can also use the app to check upload and download speeds and give feedback to IDA on their mobile broadband experience in a particular location.
The pilot will run for six months and participation from consumers is voluntary. MyConnection SG, designed to run in the background, will collect and send anonymised information about networks back to IDA. This information will form another data point that can be used to assess Singapore's mobile networks, such as identifying areas of mobile congestion and gaps in coverage.
If the mobile broadband pilot is successful, IDA will implement MyConnection SG as a longer-term measure together with the National Internet Measurement Infrastructure (NIMI) to enhance information transparency and improve service quality for consumers. NIMI is a crowdsourcing measure IDA has undertaken since 2009 to gather consumers' residential fixed broadband experience. NIMI measures the broadband speeds experienced by selected consumers at home. Data from measurement devices installed in the households of volunteers is collected monthly and published on the IDA website. This information is meant to help consumers make informed choices when deciding on a residential fixed broadband plan.
Ms Jacqueline Poh, Managing Director, IDA, said, "As part of Singapore's drive to be a Smart Nation, IDA is continuing our efforts towards connectivity for everyone, everywhere, and all the time. Crowdsourcing provides us with anonymised and aggregated data to better understand the quality of consumers' mobile broadband experience all around the island. We hope consumers will download the MyConnection SG app and volunteer as NIMI testers to help IDA improve their broadband service experience."
The MyConnection SG pilot will begin today, and end on 31 March 2015. Consumers may download the app from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android users. Those interested to be a NIMI tester can sign up at www.samknows.com.sg.
ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (IDA)
Related Resources
- Annex A - Factsheet on MyConnection SG Application (339.98KB)
- Annex B - Factsheet on National Internet Measurement Infrastructure (159.97KB)
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 clarifications, please contact:
Adrian CHAN (Mr)
Manager
Corporate and Marketing Communications Division
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Email: adrian_km_chan@imda.gov.sg
Note to Editor
1 The app will collect information based on the following performance parameters: data performance (session throughput, TCP/HTTP latency, packet loss per session and data volume utilised); and voice performance (voice call success rate, voice call drop and experienced network coverage).
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