Singapore Testing Wi-Fi at Railway Stations:

Singapore's public transport authority has announced plans to deploy Wi-Fi hotspots at 28 of its main railway stations across the country.

The LTA said thatt the introduction of Wireless@SG at the platforms of all North East Line stations and 12 other stations with high commuter usage is aimed at enhancing wireless connectivity for commuters while they wait for the trains.

Wireless@SG is a wireless broadband initiative by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) that aims to extend broadband access beyond homes, schools and offices to public places. Users can enjoy free and seamless wireless broadband access with speeds of up to 2 Mbps.

Tenders for the implementation of the trial have just been issued, and the service will be progressively available from mid-2014. It said that the trial will run for two years before any decision is taken to expand the service.

Plan seeks 90% mobile, 70% internet penetration:

CCK’s ambitious five-year strategic plan seeks to among others increase the contribution of the ICT sector to GDP by 100 percent. According to the Plan, CCK envisions to expand the contribution of the ICT sector to GDP from the current 2.2% to 5% and mobile penetration from the 75.8% to 90% by 2018.

If things pan out as planned, mobile penetration will increase from the current 75.8% to 90% in 2018 while wireless broadband will grow to 10% within the next five years from the current 2.4%.

CCK also targets to increase internet penetration in Kenya from the current 41.6% to 70%, and TV broadcast coverage from 55% to 80%, while local content to total content ratio is expected to grow to 60% from 40% currently.

The penetration of mobile money services is projected to grow from 58.9% now to 70% in 2018.

Launching CCK’s 3rd Strategic Plan, ICT Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i lauded CCK for making strategic planning part of its corporate culture and encouraged other organizations under his ministry to follow suit.

Dr. Matiang’i lauded CCK for developing the plan in consultation with stakeholders adding that its implementation would support the realization of the Government’s ICT policy agenda. He called on the private sector to support the implementation of the five-year plan through making contributions to the Universal Service Fund to help CCK to avail ICT services to all in Kenya by 2018.

He pledged his ministry’s support to the attainment of the goals set out in Plan by facilitating regular review of the ICT policy and legal framework.