Wireless@SG

As a follow up to my previous power saving article on using Wi-Fi for web instead of 3G, this post will teach you how to connect to the free Wireless@SG networks more easily.

In case you didn’t know, Wireless@SG is a free internet connection service provided by IDA for Singapore residents. You just need to register an account with iCELL, M1 or SingTel to get your username and password.  I know you can attach your Wireless@SG account at SingTel to your existing SingTel/SingNet account.  I have yet to find a benefit for doing that but I would recommend not to just so that you don’t need to re-register another account again in the event you switch providers for your other services.  I am using iCELL but do not ask me why.

Remember the times where you will be granted access to the Wireless@SG network only after you have signed in through the web browser?  How troublesome is that when you just want to use your IMAP client to check an email, or just use your RSS reader to retrieve the latest happenings.  With SSA, gone is the cumbersome login process required each time you want to connect to a Wireless@SG access point. Now you can connect to the Wireless@SGx SSID instead using your username and password.

The process is simple on the Nexus One.  Should be similar on other devices too.  There is no need to install any applications.  Just set up as follows.

1. Touch Home  > Menu > Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-Fi settings
2. Turn on Wi-Fi if it is not already on.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the available Wi-Fi networks section, touch Add Wi-Fi network
4. Enter into Network SSID the value Wireless@SGx
5. Touch Security and select 802.1x Enterprise
6. You will be prompted to set a password for the credential storage if you haven’t set one. You will need to enter the same password each time you need access to the credential storage in the future so remember what you set. One entering the credential storage password, you will now have a few more options than the first 2 you originally had.
7. Touch EAP method and select PEAP
8. Touch Phase 2 authentication and select MSCHAPV2
9. Scroll down pass CA certificate, Client certificate
10. Touch Identity and enter your Wireless@SG account username including the domain.  i.e. If you use iCELL, the domain should be @icellwireless.net.  Same like when you sign in to Wireless@SG via the browser and you need to select the domain from a drop down menu. SingTel Wireless@SGx requires an encoded username for secured login.
11. Leave Anonymous identity blank
12. Enter into Wireless Password your Wireless@SG account password.
13. Touch Save.

The steps above will create a new entry under Wi-Fi networks named Wirless@SGx. Whenever you are at a Wireless@SG hotspot and turn on Wi-Fi on your Nexus One, it will automatically connect to Wireless@SG network and you do not have to manually sign in via the browser anymore. Hurrah!

Read the news of the launch of SSA on IDA’s website.

Read manual setup instructions for all supported devices at INFOCOMM123.