StarHub and Nokia have once again joined hands to deploy a new cloud-native 5G core network to manage the bandwidth demand for 5G standalone (SA) services, which is projected to grow at a rapid pace.
This new development comes six month after the two companies launched the first non-standalone 5G services in Singapore.
Already, the 5G SA network rollout is well underway, spanning core, radio, software, security and professional services. StarHub expects market launch of its 5G SA data service later this year.
According to Chong Siew Loong, chief technology officer at StarHub, the strong demand for 5G phones and good take-up of the company’s Mobile+ and Biz+ 5G capable plans launched last August. He sees these as encouraging signs of the market’s appetite for 5G services, which are going mainstream in terms of deployment and adoption this year.
“Nokia fuelled an important transition for our networks, bringing us into the 5G era, enabling new use cases and services, such as network slicing,” said Chong. “Together we are committed to supporting the government’s national strategic Smart Nation initiatives, to drive growth and competitiveness globally, and nationwide 5G is a crucial step as Singapore strives for economic and technological growth.”
With the 5G SA upgrade, StarHub will be able to run 5G independent of existing 4G network technology. With 5G SA technology, it can simultaneously connect a vast number of devices and offer innovative mobility solutions that thrive on ultra-high speed, low-latency, secure campus networking capabilities for the benefit of consumers, businesses and government agencies in Singapore.
With 5G services delivered via SA architecture using the 3.5GHz spectrum, StarHub said customers can enjoy new digital services such as AR for entertainment, education and healthcare, and the industry will have the opportunity to deliver the promised massive Internet of Things, allowing interconnection of many devices and applications for a smarter society.
In turn, businesses can use 5G enhanced mobile broadband service to enable e-sports and augmented reality/virtual reality live feeds anywhere. StarHub can create several secure mobile campus networks for localised functions through network slicing capability. The operator can also leverage mobile edge computing services to host AI-based solutions such as facial recognition services and to deploy advanced IoT solutions.
Daniel Jaeger, head of South East Asia Market Unit at Nokia, said: “The Singapore market is highly competitive, with end users demanding new, innovative 5G services. Leveraging our market-leading 5G solutions, We are committed to continue working with StarHub to bring advance 5G services that will deliver a consistent and enhanced user experience, as well as new revenue opportunities for its enterprise customers.”
Meanwhile, StarHub has been playing an active role as a forerunner in Singapore’s 5G space.
Together with Nokia, the telco operator has deployed a 5G SA trial network at IMDA’s 5G testing facility Living Lab@PIXEL in one-north. The facility is dedicated to helping industry players develop new 5G solutions and develop technical capabilities.
StarHub is also working with industry players, including Nanyang Polytechnic and National University of Singapore to explore innovative 5G solutions that can enhance higher education experiences, address industry needs and test use cases.
Also, StarHub and Malaysia’s U Mobile have successfully completed a multi-party roaming video conference call over 5G SA technology. More extensive 5G solution trials, including emergency sea rescue operations are in progress.
