Singapore-based telecom giant Singtel has announced the launch of its 5G non-standalone network along with a three month trial for its early adopters.
In a press release, Singtel said that it is also offering an additional 10GB of local data to its users. Singtel also said its 5G network can deliver more than 1Gbps of speed and uses the 3.5GHz frequency of Singtel’s newly expanded spectrum holdings along with its existing 2100MHz spectrum.
To first batch of regions to have Singtel 5G service are Harbourfront, Bugis and Dhoby Ghaut.
Yuen Kuan Moon, chief executive officer at Singtel, consumer Singapore, told the media, “With Covid-19 driving everyone online and dramatically increasing our reliance on digital services to work, learn and play, 5G is set to be a huge enabler in our lives in this new normal.”
A nationwide roll out of its 5G services is expected in the next 5 years.
Earlier this year, Singtel along with a joint venture between StarHub-M1 won a licence to operate 5G networks across Singapore, according to Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). It was reported that the firms will have to provide 5G network for at least half of Singapore by the end of 2022.
This marks Singapore’s first move in 5G network licencing. Previously, Singapore’s telecom authority had received three bids. Singtel and TPG Telecom submitted their respective proposals, while StarHub and M1 joined forces to submit the proposal.
Singtel, which is the country’s largest telecom operator in the country, has decided to use equipment provided by Sweden-based Ericsson.