Background
The Internet and traditional telephony networks are now converging to create "ubiquitous computing" for the modern society. As Asia's world city, the HKSAR Government is taking the lead in setting up hotspots all over the city to provide free network access to the public. Besides, the Government also encourages commercial operators to further explore and develop various Wi-Fi applications, so as to realize the idea of "Ubiquitous Computing", which in turn, creates the "Ubiquitous City - HK". As an essential part of the project, the "Innovative Wi-Fi Services and Applications Award" provides a good opportunity to all wireless developers. Both members and non-members of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA)/Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre (HKWDC) may submit proposals with the topics focused on "innovative Wi-Fi services and applications". Those selected innovative Wi-Fi services and applications will be deployed for use free of charge at HKWDC and Wi-Fi facilities of selected sites under the Government Wi-Fi Programme for the entire project period until 30 June 2009. A monetary award will be presented for the development of application services.
Objectives
Enhancing the Value of Wi-Fi Network
The HKSAR Government is installing Wi-Fi facilities in 350 relatively busy government venues. New regulations also make possible the augmentation of existing wireless network infrastructure by commercial operators. The "Ubiquitous City - HK" project aims not just to increase the number of hotspots, but also to achieve three main objectives as follows:
1. To foster the development of innovative hotspot applications
2. To raise the public awareness of Wireless Network Application
3. To facilitate the Wireless Application development on integrated wireless platform (Wi-Fi, HSDPA, 3G, EDGE, etc..)
The project will bring about the growth of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry as well as the popularization of wireless and information technology applications, so as to make Hong Kong one of the top digital cities in the world. In phrase one of the "Ubiquitous City - HK" project, 12 innovative hotspot applications will be selected and commercialized, followed by extensive marketing and promotion for the wireless applications. At the same time, surveys will be conducted and market data will be collected.
Innovative Wi-Fi Services and Applications Award
The "Innovative Wi-Fi Services and Applications Award" creates a good opportunity for all wireless developers. Both members and non-members of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre (HKWDC) may submit proposals with the topics focused on innovative Wi-Fi services and applications. Those selected innovative Wi-Fi services and applications will be deployed for use free of charge at HKWDC and Wi-Fi facilities of selected sites under the Government Wi-Fi Programme for the entire project period until 30 June 2009.
The innovative Wi-Fi services and applications should focus on the delivery of creative services, information and content for utilizing the Wi-Fi facilities. Preference will be given to those applications which can utilize the Wi-Fi facilities under the Government Wi-Fi Programme as well as integrating with other access technologies such as 3G mobile networks, Location-based Services (LBS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Near Field Communication (NFC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), etc.
In order to promote innovative Wi-Fi services and applications development, the winning company will receive an award capped at a maximum of HK$60,000 per application. This award will cover up to half of the development cost, including application development cost, software & hardware cost for development and demonstration at HKWDC and Wi-Fi facilities of selected sites under the Government Wi-Fi Programme.