Singapore testing SIM logins for US visitors
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The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is piloting trials for US visitors to connect to the local wireless broadband network, Wireless@SG.
The trials, which commenced yesterday and will run until September 21, will be conducted in partnership with the Land Transport Land Transport Authority (LTA), M1, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and Singtel.
Under the project, T-Mobile US subscribers can connect automatically to Wireless@SG after a one-time setup on their SIM devices. This would enable them to connect to around 290 hotspots in designated test areas – Sentosa and major MRT stations. Other US visitors who are not subscribers of T-Mobile can sign up for a free account in the government website.
“Wi-Fi is fast becoming a daily necessity and Wireless@SG as the largest city-wide federated Wi-Fi network will be an important enabler to improve connectivity and liveability in Singapore as we move towards a Smart Nation,” said Khoong Hock Yun, IDA’s assistant chief executive.
“Trialing the SIM-login method for foreign visitors is something new to us, and we hope to gather new insights, fine tune technical challenges, and enhance the Wireless@SG program further,” he added.
IDA said the trial is taking place in conjunction with the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) City Wi-Fi Roaming Project, which also allows Singapore visitors to the US to roam automatically and securely between free public Wi-Fi hotspots in participating US cities, namely, San Jose, San Francisco and New York for the same period.
The City Wi-Fi Roaming Project is likewise a supporting activity of World Wi-Fi Day initiative. Both initiatives are backed by the Connected City Advisory Board, which aims to deliver the vision of Connected Cities around the world
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific US visitors are eligible to automatically connect to Wireless@SG during the trial?
Which specific US visitors are eligible to automatically connect to Wireless@SG during the trial?
Only T-Mobile US subscribers can connect automatically to Wireless@SG after a one-time setup on their SIM devices. Other US visitors need to sign up for a free account via the government website.
Q.What is the duration of the trials for US visitors to connect to Wireless@SG?
What is the duration of the trials for US visitors to connect to Wireless@SG?
The trials began yesterday and are scheduled to run until September 21. This period applies to both the Singapore-based tests and the reciprocal US roaming initiative.
Q.Which areas in Singapore will have the Wireless@SG hotspots available for the trials?
Which areas in Singapore will have the Wireless@SG hotspots available for the trials?
The designated test areas for the Wireless@SG hotspots include Sentosa and major MRT stations. There are approximately 290 hotspots across these locations.
Q.What is the purpose of conducting these trials for foreign visitors?
What is the purpose of conducting these trials for foreign visitors?
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore hopes to gather new insights, fine-tune technical challenges, and further enhance the Wireless@SG programme through these trials.