8 Military Camps Will Have Free Wifi by First Half of 2021; More Might Be Added

By
Ashley Seek
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Last Updated on 2020-12-21 , 5:49 pm

If you have a phone (if not how’re you reading this?) then this phrase would definitely make you feel shiok.

Free Wifi.

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Wireless@SG has saved people like me from bursting my phone’s data plan or if I ever needed to send an email.

Unfortunately, free wifi is simply a dream when our youths enter National Service…

…or is it?

Some Camps to Have Free Wifi Next Year

Any pre-enlistees? You may have something to look forward to.

The Straits Times recently reported that eight military sites will get access to Wireless@SGx, an updated version of Wireless@SG.

The following camps will have access to the network by the first half of 2021:

  • Air Force Training Command
  • Central Manpower Base
  • Changi Naval Base
  • Hillview Camp
  • Jurong Camp II
  • Kranji Camp II
  • the Ministry of Defence building and Stagmont Camp

As you can see, Tekong isn’t on the list for now so fresh recruits still have to wait for a while, though you probably won’t have time to use the Internet if you’re a botak recruit.

There’s currently no information which camps will be next after the listed eight.

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However, a Ministry of Defense spokesman mentioned that this service will progressively be added to other areas after the trial period.

The speed of Wireless@SG isn’t fibre level, running with minimum surfing speeds of 5Mbps. Average speeds are around 30Mbps depending on the area you’re at.

Still better than most who had to do NS without said free Wi-Fi, at least.

The spokesman also mentioned how this service would actually help benefit the ever-modernising army, such as Smart Camps and Smart Airbases.

He also added that NSFs and NSmen could use the wireless network for e-learning and personal administration.

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Not a Flawless System

Not everything is perfect.

Senior threat intelligence analyst Shawn Tay told The Straits Times about some risks the free Wi-Fi may pose.

He feels that attackers may access the router and get encrypted data between people who’re connected to the router.

However, he also says that Wireless@SGx has boosted security compared to its regular counterpart since it generates a digital certificate on the user device via a certificate call.

Since everyone has their own unique certificate, it’s easier to track down malicious users and catch them.

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Or if you’re trying to go to some unscrupulous sites.

Past Cyber-Attack

Pretty sure the SAF isn’t taking chances after the massive cyberattack incident way back in 2017.

Around 850 employees and servicemen’s data were stolen in said attack.

Classified military information was safe, but the fact that NRICs and phone numbers got stolen was a super huge deal. It only makes sense for them to step up their defences from there.

So this Wi-Fi isn’t just for a game of Mobile Legends with your pals.

Not trying to say I’m jealous of the free Wi-Fi, but I am.

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Featured Image: Google Maps

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Ashley Seek
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