Broadband Service Subsidies for Seniors in Low-income Households
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Saktiandi Supaat’s inquiry on whether low-income seniors qualify for broadband subsidies and installation cost waivers under the Digital Access Programme. Minister S Iswaran confirmed that IMDA’s Home Access programme provides eligible households with two years of subsidised broadband, a subsidised device, and waived installation fees. He highlighted that seniors comprise 75% of current beneficiaries, with nearly 4,000 seniors benefiting from the Home Access scheme this year. Additionally, the Mobile Access for Seniors scheme was introduced to provide subsidised smartphones and mobile plans for low-income seniors. Minister S Iswaran also noted that 16,000 seniors have joined digital skilling initiatives to support their inclusion in Singapore’s digitalisation journey.
Transcript
38 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) whether senior citizens from low-income households qualify for subsidies to access broadband services in their homes under the Digital Access Programme; and (b) whether the cost of installing a broadband point in their homes can be subsidised under the programme.
Mr S Iswaran: The Government is committed to building an inclusive digital society, where all Singaporeans, including our seniors, are empowered with digital skills and have the means to access digital platforms.
Under IMDA’s Home Access (HA) programme, eligible low-income households, including those with senior citizens, can enjoy two years of subsidised home broadband services, and the option to own one subsidised device per household. The fees for broadband installation, as well as fees for installing the first termination point, are waived for beneficiaries. The Home Access programme has benefitted many seniors, with 75% of current beneficiaries comprising households with seniors aged 60 and above. In this year alone, nearly 4,000 seniors have benefitted from the Home Access scheme.
IMDA also recently introduced subsidies for low-income seniors to obtain personal smartphones and mobile plans under the Mobile Access for Seniors (MAS) scheme. The scheme supports low-income seniors with on-the-go connectivity, and complements the SG Digital Office's efforts to raise the digital skills of seniors. 800 seniors have benefited from this scheme since its launch in July.
Our efforts at ensuring digital inclusion of seniors have been well-received. To-date, 16,000 seniors have taken part in the SG Digital Office's digital skilling initiatives. Many of the seniors, some of whom I recently met at Teck Ghee Community Centre, are eager to learn and possess a can-do spirit. With the support of our corporate and community partners, Digital Ambassadors and volunteers, we will continue our efforts to ensure that seniors are not left behind in Singapore's digitalisation journey.