Kids can make use of the free wireless connectivity to entertain themselves with online games, or complete e-learning assignments

Since its launch in December last year, the Wireless@SG programme has gained tremendous popularity among people and businesses here. To date, more than 200,000 people have signed up for the service. That puts the project well on its way to its target of 250,000 subscribers by next year. The island-wide network has also expanded coverage from 600 hot spots to 1,300 hot spots.

People and businesses today are using the national wireless network for all sorts of applications. Last month businesses in Chinatown showed how Wireless@SG can be used to offer wireless points of sale, payment and security surveillance. For consumers, many today use it for instant messaging, e-mailing and Web browsing. However, as iN.SG finds out, the plugged in consumers are enjoying such on-the-go connectivity in a myriad of creative ways:

Mr Lim Boon Keong, a programme instructor at a school for children with learning disabilities, uses Wireless@SG to 'chat' with his fiancé in Australia via MSN on his PDA phone. Mr Lim, who is in his thirties, said: "There are always a lot of things to get ready for a wedding. Thanks to the connectivity offered by Wireless@SG, I can chat with my fiancée at next to no cost." Mr Lim, who was at Plaza Singapura's food court, said it helps that his office is at Orchard Road, which is covered by Wireless@SG. That allows him to just hit the streets during lunch time or after work for a quick catch-up with his fiancée, he told iNSG.

The moment retiree Jenny Yip, who is in her sixties, logs onto Wireless@SG, she calls up her bookmarked page, the SGX website, to track her share prices

Retiree Jenny Yip, who is in her sixties, uses Wireless@SG to keep an eye on her investments when she takes her grandchild to the Bukit Merah Library or the daycare centre nearby. "My PDA phone has Wi-Fi, which allows me to log on to Wireless@SG to check on my stocks through the SGX website."

Meanwhile, Wireless@SG has also added a shine to the social life of students here. University undergraduate Ms Geraldine Goh says that she and her friends often use Wireless@SG for keeping in touch and scheduling their activities. Ms Goh, who is 25 and currently studying business administration at a private university said that her peers are frequent users of the free wireless connectivity at fast-food outlets cum wireless hotspots like the KFC in Bukit Merah:, "We can chat on MSN and even book tickets for movies online. Thanks to the 'always-on' connectivity, my friends and I always have something to do no matter how far apart we might be."

Students use Wireless@SG to improve their social life via MSN chats and booking movie tickets online

Housewife Jaslyn Chua, 36, sends her three children to the Tampines West Community Club regularly for activities such as sports, music and educational enrichment classes. Such activities typically take up about two hours, three times a week, she said. "While waiting for a class to be over, it is really useful to be able to communicate on wireless Internet with friends, relatives and even my kids' school teachers via e-mail or instant messaging," she added.

The convenience of such connectivity extends to her son too, who at times has to wait for his elder sister to finish her class. Mrs Chua said: "He no longer fidgets impatiently while waiting for her. Now he keeps himself occupied with online games, or even manages to complete short modules on his school's e-learning website. I'm sure that helps him in managing his time better, especially since he's doing his PSLE this year!"

Ms Angelia Teo, a freelance writer and jewellery designer, also finds Wireless@SG to be a great help to her wor

Ms Angelia Teo, 30, a former magazine editor turned freelance writer and jewellery designer, also finds Wireless@SG to be a great help to her work. She said: "As I move around a lot for my business and many of my clients are located in the city area, I can usually check my e-mail and catch up with correspondence easily. My entire contact list is uploaded to Plaxo as well, so in case my phone battery dies, I can still easily retrieve the contact information." Plaxo is a free online personal information management service.

Facts About Wireless@SG:

Do You Know? Wireless@SG is available at the IDA's office in Suntec Tower 3. Try for yourself, the wireless service, at all the function halls and meeting rooms.

Wireless@SG is the Government's wireless broadband programme that aims to extend broadband access beyond the homes, schools and offices, to public places. IDA called a Wireless Broadband Market Development Call-For-Collaboration in March 2006, to grow Singapore's wireless broadband market and catalyse broadband adoption. It is part of the Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure which when ready by 2012, will also comprise an ultra-high speed wired network.