By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 June 2009 2335 hrs Photos of SINGAPORE: Singapore will spend some S$30 million to boost its infocomm and technology sector during the economic downturn. And there will be discounted rates for computers and broadband services for low-income families. A survey in 2008 showed that two in 10 Singapore households do not have access to any computer at home. Now the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) is raising the income cap by S$500 to S$2,500 for needy families to receive subsidised computers. And under a new scheme, those on financial assistance and with school-going children will qualify for broadband services at just S$1.50 per month for three years. Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Lui Tuck Yew, said: "To ensure that everyone has access to computers and the internet, IDA together with the industry, have also put in place programmes to help the under-privileged. To date, more than 27,000 low income households have benefited." And to help fresh IT graduates and professionals stay employed, IDA is also investing in two new programmes that involve attachments and training opportunities. Over the next four years, S$9 million will also be spent to enhance Singapore's wireless internet services. The free basic service has been extended for another four years, with increased surfing speed of 1mbps from September. And since the launch in 2006, wireless hotspots in Singapore have increased eight times. The number of subscribers has also exceeded the target of 250,000. The numbers are expected to rise with operators launching more Wireless@SG services in the second half of 2009. - CNA/yt --

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