Wireless@SG Hotspots for HDB Rental Blocks to Ensure Minimum Level of Internet Connectivity
Ministry of Digital Development and InformationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Leon Perera’s inquiry about deploying Wireless@SG hotspots in HDB rental blocks to provide baseline internet for residents who cannot afford subsidized plans. Minister S Iswaran responded that the Home Access scheme is a more practical in-home solution, while Wireless@SG is reserved for public sites with high human traffic. He stated that rental households qualify for broadband subsidized at $9 per month, which reduces to $6 for ComCare recipients and is free for households with students or persons with disabilities. Families can apply for these schemes through IMDA, and Social Service Offices are available to assist with applications or provide additional financial aid for basic plans. These targeted subsidies ensure that low-income households receive significantly reduced rates, approximately 70% less than commercial plans, to maintain essential digital connectivity.
Transcript
44 Mr Leon Perera asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether Wireless@SG hotspots can be rolled out for HDB rental blocks to ensure a minimum level of Internet connectivity for residents who may not be able to afford the subsidised plans with Home Access 3.0 programmes.
Mr S Iswaran: The Government is committed to equipping all Singaporeans with a baseline of affordable digital access. Compared to deploying Wireless@SG at HDB rental blocks, the Home Access scheme is a more targeted and practical solution that provides internet connectivity to lower-income households in their homes. Wireless@SG supplements this with free out-of-home connectivity at public sites with high human traffic, such as transport nodes and community facilities such as community centres, libraries, and hawker centres.
Under the Home Access scheme, all households residing in HDB rental units are eligible for a heavily subsidised broadband subscription at $9/month, which is about 70% less than comparable commercial plans. For households with ComCare recipients, the out-of-pocket expense could be even lower, at $6/month. Broadband is also provided for free to households with school-going children or persons with disabilities who are beneficiaries of the NEU PC Plus programme. Low-income households can apply to IMDA for these schemes.
Low-income households may approach MSF's Social Service Offices (SSOs) to apply for ComCare. If they require home broadband, the SSOs can help with their application for the Home Access scheme and, if needed, provide additional financial assistance for a basic broadband plan.