Singapore starts island-wide free wireless Internet service

The Singaporean government's free wireless broadband Internet service will be available at public areas across the island starting December 1, a month ahead of schedule, a Xinhua News report said.

The Xinhua reort said Singapore's Infocomm Development Authority will also extended the free "Wireless@SG" program for three years, one year longer than announced previously, according to a Channel NewsAsia report.

With this free service, the number of Internet users in Singapore is expected to grow to about 250,000 in two years.

The report said to log on to the free service, users need only register at the Web site of any of the three operators, iCell Network, QMax Communications or SingTel.

Then users can surf for free online from notebook PC, PDA or mobile phone at downtown areas, major town centers, libraries, country clubs and shopping malls.

There are currently 900 hotspots across the island and this number is set to increase to 5,000 by September next year.