SG CANNOT BE A SMART NATION IF INTERNET USE IN LIBRARY ALSO REGULATED

Dear Editors

I was at the library today, and after using up my one hour of free internet access for senior citizens – was prompted by the internet terminal to purchase extra usage time at 45 cents for 15 minutes, 90 cents for 30 minutes, and so on, till the maximum of $3.60 for 2 hours.

However, any unused minutes on the same day would be eaten up, because the expiry is on the same day. Since I wasn’t sure how long I would be using the internet (who would know exactly how long one would be using the internet terminal?) – I purchased 2 hours and had about 45 minutes eaten up when I finished using the terminal.

I asked the librarian what happened to the old system, whereby you top up your prepaid account and any unused time will be carried forward. She told me that the library had discontinued the prepaid account since March, and that I would have to use another terminal to request for a refund of the unused amount to my bank account.

If the above is what we call moving forward to become a smart nation – I think we are really in trouble!

What are your thoughts on the above?

Leong Sze Hian