Yesterday, a spokesperson from wireless mesh technology manufacturer Firetide called to let me know that the company has been selected to build part of Singapore’s nationwide WiFi network.
I thought the story was rather interesting, since most WiFi projects involve a particular city, not an entire country. (Granted, it’s not a very big country; CIA World Factbook describes the island nation as being “slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC.”) Here are the details.
In partnership with iCell Network, Firetide will be building the eastern portion of Singapore’s WiFi network. The project is being overseen by Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, which has dubbed the project Wireless@SG.
Once complete, the network will provide free WiFi access to all Singaporians. IDA plans to complete the project by year’s end.
“Although the initial goal is to provide basic free Wi-Fi Internet access, we are actually building a high-capacity wireless network that will be delivering even more services and applications in the future,” iCell’s CEO, Ken Chua, said in a statement.
Chua explained further that “ “The Firetide mesh network and access points provide the convenience and flexibility of wireless with plenty of performance for more demanding applications such as high speed broadband access, voice over IP and voice over Wi-Fi, and live video surveillance.”
The build-out will include Firetide’s new HotView Controller software, which makes it possible to provide high-speed mobility services on the network.
“The scope of the project in Singapore is huge and is, for example, much larger than the networks we are seeing being deployed in the United States,” said IDC research manager Godfrey Chua, in a statement.
He added that the government’s backing of the project is crucial to its success. The entire project is estimated to cost $100 million, and of that the government is contributing $30 million.
It should be noted that the Singapore WiFi project is something of a trial for the three wireless operators (iCELL Network Pte Ltd, QMAX Communications, and Singapore Telecommunications Ltd) who so far have signed on to offer service for two years.
On its Web site, IDA notes that, starting in 2007, Sinaporeans “will be ushering the new year with at least 24 months, or two years, of free (basic tier) wireless connectivity.” It’s unclear what might happen after those two years. If I had to guess, I’d say that the free ride will only take users so far—at some point, surely, they’ll have to start paying.
Regardless, do a me a favor the next time you’re in Singapore: drop a note to let me know how the WiFi coverage is. Okay?
