The government has dropped local systems integrator iCell Network as a service provider for Wireless@SG, the free islandwide public Wi-Fi service. iCell will cease to be a Wireless@SG operator from July 1, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The IDA explained that iCell's proposal did not meet its criteria for the next deployment phase of Wireless@SG. It is unclear which part of their proposal did not meet its criteria but a key criteria was for service providers to simplify the login process for Wireless@SG users using identification details stored on their mobile device's 3G or 4G SIM cards.

Users with iCell accounts will have to register a new account with the two existing providers, M1 or SingTel. They can also sign up with StarHub and international Wi-Fi provider Y5Zone when they come onboard as service providers at a later date.

iCell will still be providing free public Wi-Fi but for a different statutory board. In late January this year, the Housing Board awarded a tender to iCell Network to install and operate a free Wi-Fi service at its industrial estate canteens with surfing speeds of up to 10Mbps.