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LTA to kick off free Wi-Fi trial on NEL in mid-2014


Darthrevan
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LTA noted that ‘many commuters want to work and communicate while on the move’ in the Land Transport Master Plan. But free Wi-Fi service will not be available on trains during the trial.

Come the middle of next year, commuters on the North East Line (NEL) can expect to have free Wi-Fi access on the go, under a trial by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) that is aimed at improving connectivity.

The initiative was revealed in the Land Transport Master Plan 2013 released last week, with the LTA noting that “many commuters want to work and communicate while on the move”.
The service would also be available on “major interchange stations”, but not during train rides.
In response to TODAY’s queries, an LTA spokesperson said: “LTA will test the viability of Wi-Fi at underground stations on our MRT network to enhance wireless connectivity for commuters while (they are) waiting for trains. From mid-2014, we will carry out a trial by implementing Wi-Fi at stations along the North East Line and at major interchange stations.”
The authority, however, did not specify what the major interchange stations were, adding that “more details will be provided when ready”.
The trial is part of the LTA’s push for smart travel. In the master plan, the authority also revealed plans to improve its MyTransport.SG smartphone app in the next few years by rolling out services such as real-time bus and train-platform crowd updates to help commuters avoid congestion.
Many countries in Asia have already started providing free Wi-Fi on their transport systems. Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway recently extended free Wi-Fi hot spots to all its stations, while the Tokyo Metro introduced a free Wi-Fi trial at 30 of its train stations this year.
Members of Parliament (MPs) on the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport and experts TODAY spoke to generally welcomed the trial, noting that smartphone connectivity is increasingly becoming part of a good travel experience.
Pointing to a recent report on the decreasing number of free Wireless@SG hot spots, former journalist and technology blogger Alfred Siew said the provision of additional free hot spots “is always good”.
“But ... it might be good to extend it to inside trains, because that is where commuters spend most of (their) time when they are travelling,” he added.
But this would “cost more or take more time to wire up all the tunnels, compared with just wiring up the stations”.
Regular NEL commuters had mixed reactions to what some termed as a “value-added” service.
Marketing executive Elvis Chiu, 29, felt the LTA should first focus on ensuring transport operators get the basics, such as train reliability, frequency and customer service, right.
Meanwhile, the telcos and train operators can work together to improve the signals and bandwidth underground,” he said.
However, senior executive W Lim, 27, welcomed free Wi-Fi on platforms, given spotty 3G service on the NEL. She said: “It can be quite frustrating when whatsapp-ing friends to confirm meeting places, so free Wi-Fi will certainly help on occasions like these.”
Tourists like Ms Sophie Hennessy, 26, from Australia, said free Wi-Fi would be helpful in accessing navigation apps. “With free access, I can search for directions to reach my destination,” she said.
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ang Hin Kee, who sits on the GPC for Transport, said the LTA must ensure the effort is not a “cosmetic one which cannot support, say, more than 50 people logging on”.
He added that the service was unlikely to lead to a fare increase, since the investment is made by the LTA and not the transport operators.
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[thumbsup][thumbsup][thumbsup]Marketing executive Elvis Chiu, 29, felt the LTA should first focus on ensuring transport operators get the basics, such as train reliability, frequency and customer service, right. [thumbsup][thumbsup][thumbsup]
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Dumb initiative. Improve 3G/4G connectivity in the tunnels, and you don't even need the WiFi connection.

 

improve 3G/4G, telco need to pay .

 

free wifi as mentioned is paid by LTA aka tax payer $$.

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Marketing executive Elvis Chiu, 29, felt the LTA should first focus on ensuring transport operators get the basics, such as train reliability, frequency and customer service, right.
Meanwhile, the telcos and train operators can work together to improve the signals and bandwidth underground,” he said.
[thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
He added that the service was unlikely to lead to a fare increase, since the investment is made by the LTA and not the transport operators.

 

Sure or not. no fare increase.... hard to believe..

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Turbocharged

 

improve 3G/4G, telco need to pay .

 

free wifi as mentioned is paid by LTA aka tax payer $$.

 

Why can't LTA use this moolah to subsidise the telcos in the infrastructure improvement?

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Sure or not. no fare increase.... hard to believe..

 

in actual fact..that's worst for u and me..that meant that tax payers(most of MCF drivers) are subsidizing commuters who are taking MRTs..we are indirectly paying for their "free Wi-fi" [:|]

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in actual fact..that's worst for u and me..that meant that tax payers(most of MCF drivers) are subsidizing commuters who are taking MRTs..we are indirectly paying for their "free Wi-fi" [:|]

yah... in fact, with such crowd around and growing.. I don't see why anyone wants to work in the MRT station.. You don't even have a place to sit..

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Twincharged

 

in actual fact..that's worst for u and me..that meant that tax payers(most of MCF drivers) are subsidizing commuters who are taking MRTs..we are indirectly paying for their "free Wi-fi" [:|]

 

But thats the purpose ma. They want to get the drivers off the roads and take public transport instead.

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I think it's to benefit LTA from collecting/consolidate info or data when trains breakdown. Info will be up on twitter faster for ppl to take alternative transport. Communications within the operator is already slow. Official announcements are even slower. With commuters stuck in stations due to breakdown they are able to update their FB or twitter much faster with wifi. Words will spread faster.

 

Got motive wan lah. So good let you use free? So do expect more frequent train breakdowns. LoL...

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Seriously, they ought to focus and get the trains running on time and well. Use the moolah for better and proper maintenance of the tracks and stations first. These freebies add-ons are least important of all.

 

Not as if everyone can work from train or home or school or toilet etc etc....

 

 

Safe ride and pls dun see WA or sms whilst on the road. Free wifi also safety comes first.

Cheers

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Why can't LTA use this moolah to subsidise the telcos in the infrastructure improvement?

 

Subsidise singtel no problem. But to subsidise M1 and Starhub... then that is another thing altogether. [sly]

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Look at the wifi hotspot project, IDA had already pulls out from the project.

Singhell is slowly going to turn it to a white elephant project.

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