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| Are you wireless yet? |
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| Early users of
Wireless@SG find
the free service
convenient for
surfing the Web
and accessing
email. |
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Launched last December and with some 180,000 registered users to date, Wireless@SG
is part of the Infocomm Development Authority’s (IDA) Intelligent Nation 2015
Masterplan to promote broadband adoption and boost Singapore’s economic
competitiveness.
The wireless broadband Internet service, powered by iCell
Network, QMax Communications and SingTel, will be accessible
from 5,000 spots across the island come September
this year.
But just what does the average Singaporean think about
Wireless@SG? Challenge takes to the streets to
talk with three Wireless@SG users in different locations
to find out if it’s been smooth surfing for them on this
service so far.
Christopher Goh, engineer, 38
Location: Burger King at Thomson Plaza
▼ I use Wireless@SG to…
Check my email, primarily.
▼ I like Wireless@SG because…
It gives me easier access to my email.
▼ The difficulties I have encountered are...
Downloading is a bit of a problem. For example, for picture files that are
close to a megabyte in size, the downloading speed is quite slow.
▼ Beyond the three years of free subscription…
I may continue subscribing, depending on the rate that is
charged.
But in times of emergency, if I have a client that
urgently wants a certain file or I need to reply an
urgent email, then I’ll probably just
log on and
pay the usage fee.
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Alice Puay, executive, 35
Location: McDonald’s at Plaza Singapura
▼ I use Wireless@SG to…
Check my email and surf the Internet.
▼ I like Wireless@SG because…
It is very convenient. I need an online connection, especially for
my current business, which is an Internet business.
▼ The difficulties I have encountered are...
I can get connected, but I cannot get to the website. Although I
can choose between McDonald’s SkyNetGlobal and Wireless@SG,
I don’t find both very friendly. I think it depends on the location
I’m in. When I used this service at Tampines Mall, the
connection was very good.
▼ Beyond the three years of free subscription…
If I get used to the service, I will definitely
continue using it.
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Vivienne Wong, student, 21
Location: McCafé at Marina Square
▼ I use Wireless@SG to…
Do research work, so I visit university
websites and
databases. I also go on MSN and YouTube.
▼ I like Wireless@SG because…
I get to access the Internet from anywhere. It’s convenient and I’m able to work
outside the house. As I’m not working, I have no money, so a free service is always nice.
▼ The difficulties I have encountered are...
I didn’t like the log-in page. You must sign in as a SingTel user or other user, and since it
was my first time using it, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to click. Signing up for the
account was a bit of a problem. I filled up everything but I didn’t get my confirmation
SMS, and they kept saying things were wrong, like my IC number, but they didn’t tell
me how to correct it.
▼ Beyond the three years of free subscription…
I may continue subscribing, depending on the rate that is
charged.
I’ll have to think about continuing with the service. It depends on
how much they ask for it. If the price is
attractive, I guess
I wouldn’t mind. If they really develop
the network
to cover most of Singapore, that would
be quite awesome.
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by Marianne Choo, Challenge Editorial Team
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