Singtel has tapped Ericsson to provide its 5G New Radio (NR) standalone and dual-mode 5G core network solutions, including real-time rating and policy control, to operate the telecoms operator’s 3.5Ghz and 28Ghz bands to cover outdoor and indoor 5G connectivity in Singapore. The contract includes the deployment of millimeter wave (mmz specWave) connectivity in hotspots across the city state.
Earlier this month, Singtel has announced that it is tapping on 28 Ghz mmWave – in addition to 3.5Ghz and 2100Mhz frequencies – to boost its rollout of ultra-fast 5G speeds in Singapore.
Delivering massive bandwidth, higher capacity and lower latency, mmWave is an ideal frequency for mobile coverage in manufacturing and industrial plants, maritime ports and airports, as well as dense environments such as concert venues and live sporting events.
For a start, Singtel has switched on mmWave in several locations, including Orchard Road, the Padang area and Marina Bay Sands Expo.
The 5G contract award to Ericsson takes the partnership between the two companies to new levels, as Singapore accelerates its journey towards Industry4.0 to keeps its top position in the global competitiveness ranking.
“We are committed to building a secure, resilient, world class 5G network that will serve as the backbone of Singapore’s digital economy,” said Mark Chong, group chief technology officer at Singtel, said. “We are pleased to be working with Ericsson to deliver innovative applications and transformative customer experience for our consumers and enterprise customers.”
Ericsson’s radio and core solutions will ensure that residents, enterprises, industry and government authorities in Singapore are among the first in the world to benefit from the highest performance that 5G can offer.
5G-enabled application use cases could include cloud gaming, immersive virtual reality/augmented reality, robot-human collaboration in real-time, autonomous transport, remote healthcare, precision smart manufacturing and smart nation connectivity.
“As a long-standing partner, we are determined to work alongside Singtel to ensure its subscribers and business customers enjoy the best experiences and opportunities that 5G has to offer,” said Martin Wiktorin, head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and Philippines.
Meeting demand for advanced mobile connectivity
Singtel has been extending its lead in the rollout of 5G since it was officially granted with a 5G licence by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in June 2020.
According to Chong, Singtel is progressing in 5G deployment by boosting its capabilities to meet increasing demand for advanced mobile connectivity in the consumer and enterprise sectors.
“mmWave 5G’s super-fast speeds and low latency will bring about a striking change in the way we communicate and work. On the consumer front, we are tapping the power of 5G to transform applications such as cloud gaming and augmented reality. We are also working with enterprise customers in key industries to develop 5G solutions in areas such as autonomous guided vehicles, mixed reality and location-based services.”
Singtel’s 5G network harnesses mmWave through a combination of the latest cellular technologies including Massive MIMO (Multiple input multiple output), carrier aggregation and beam-forming solutions.
Singtel customers with 5G plans can expect to enjoy mobile speeds of up to 3 Gbps speeds when mmWave-enabled handsets arrive in Singapore next year.
To let everyone in Singapore have a taste of true 5G speeds, Singtel will be launching Singtel 5G Experience Zones progressively across the island. These Experience Zones will feature exclusive content that consumers can stream for free over a WiFi connection powered by mmWave 5G.
First mmWave 5G use case
Meanwhile, Singtel has recently deployed the fastest 5G speeds of 3.2Gbps at its pop-up store, UNBOXED. As Singtel’s first 5G use case, UNBOXED is an example of how mmWave 5G can enable innovative business solutions and enhance consumer experiences by offering reliable high-bandwidth connectivity that supports real-time machine communications, artificial intelligence and smart analytics, as well as deliver flexibility and efficiency for store deployment without having to lay fibre cables.
With 5G’s ultra-fast speeds and minimal latency, it is expected that mobile networks, together with emerging technologies such as data analytics, artificial intelligence and edge computing, will spur Industry 4.0 applications such as precision robotics and advanced video analytics.
On the enterprise front, beyond engaging ecosystem partners such as device makers, app developers and vertical solution providers, Singtel is also gearing up to offer dedicated mmWave network solutions to its enterprise customers in the coming months.
