SingTel plans to offer free Net access, cheap VoIP calls from hotspots

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 11 October 2006 16:08

Business IT - Technology

SingTel is planning to install 2400 hotspots across Northern Singapore by May 2007 through which it will offer free Internet access and unlimited VoIP calls for a fixed monthly fee as well as TV over broadband and location based and other services.

The services will be rolled out as part of the national wireless project which is part of Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) Wireless Call For Collaboration (CFC) under its iN2015 blueprint, which aims to grow the ICT sector and to use ICT to build a well connected society.

The IDA has accepted SingTel's proposal for the Northern region which encompasses Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Checkpoint, Hougang, Kovan, Novena, Orchard Road, Sembawang, Sengkang, Serangoon, Thomson, Toa Payoh, Woodlands, Yishun.

Although the three service providers participating in the wireless CFC are expected to offer free WiFi access for two years, SingTel says it has raised the bar by offering an additional year of free access to its customers, representing annual savings of about $S120 per user.

In addition to free basic Internet services such as surfing and emailing at these wireless hotspots, SingTel says that customers "can expect to enjoy new value-added services that are timely, innovative and personalised to meet their lifestyle needs and location."

These services include Broadband TV on the move, SingTel’s eConcierge smart location-based services, WhizGuide and BuddyWRU (Buddy Where Are You), as well as unlimited mobile VoIP calls at a fixed monthly fee.

SingTel customers when logging onto the Internet at any of SingTel’s WiFi hotspots in the North Region will see a personalised homepage and "receive relevant information that is of interest to them, both in terms of their lifestyle needs and location."