The private M1 WiFi is available to only M1 HetNet Trial users, not all M1 users, as previously stated in the article

Good news for those who stay between Bukit Panjang Temporary Bus Park and Bukit Merah Interchange and frequently take bus 176.

Two specific 176 buses will now have free WiFi for their commuters and you can spot these two mythical creatures SMRT buses by the blue livery wrapped around the exterior and the relevant signage on board.

There's an added bonus in store for these very same commuters.

If you are also a M1 HetNet Trial user, on top of traveling within Bukit Panjang and Bukit Merah while taking a 176 bus (two specific ones), you get access to the private M1 WiFi service available on the two buses, and won't have to use the free Wireless@SG hotspots, which might theoretically be just as good.

While some might view this as some next level product placement from M1, there is (slightly) more to the story.

The WiFi buses are part of the ongoing Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) initiative by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to strengthen Singapore's connectivity infrastructure so that "everyone and everything will be connected everywhere, all the time".

The IDA factsheet also claims that the ongoing initiatives are expected to bring about immediate and long term benefits for M1 consumers and M1 industry alike.

This groundbreaking, one of a kind undertaking follows in the footsteps of New York City, which has over 2,000 WiFi-enabled buses instead, Porto, Thailand, which has been providing free WiFi on 550 buses since August 1, 2015, most of Europe, South Africa and even Singapore, when Nokia launched free WiFi for 12 popular bus routes, back in 2007.

Top image from publictransportsg

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.