In an interview RCR Wireless NewsCommunications Corporation of Singapore managing director of networks Tei Yow Liang said the company is now providing 5G SA services nationwide with a network of more than 1,500 5G mobile base stations.
Singapore-based telecommunications company Singtel plans to explore more advanced network architectures such as low latency, low loss and scalable throughput (L4S), which will significantly improve end-to-end latency by tackling queuing delays, said Tei Yow Liang, managing director of network at Singtel Singapore. RCR Wireless News.
“This will be key to delivering even better digital experiences for consumers and businesses,” the executive said.
L4S helps 5G network users stream content seamlessly in crowded wireless network environments such as concerts, sporting events, etc. In 2022, L4S was adopted into 3GPP 5G-Advanced Release 18 to support Extended Reality (XR) over 5G networks.
Yeo Liang said Singtel currently has a network of more than 1,500 5G mobile base stations across Singapore, and provides 5G Standalone (5G SA) services nationwide.
“Singtel is constantly investing upfront in technology and infrastructure so we have the tools, products and solutions needed to support the country’s ambitions. We are committed to being the first in the world to achieve nationwide 5G coverage in 2022, and will transform Singapore into an innovation sandbox where public and private companies can test 5G applications and use cases,” the executive said.
“Our network has achieved many world firsts, including the first commercial deployment of network slicing, which enables businesses and consumers to easily perform functions that require high bandwidth and low latency. We have deployed network slicing at high-traffic events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix Season Singapore 2022, Singapore’s National Day Parade 2023, and the Coldplay and Taylor Swift concerts earlier this year. We also pioneered app-based network slicing earlier this year, allowing app owners to activate dedicated slices from Singtel’s 5G network to improve app performance and enhance user experience,” added Yeow Lian.
He added that Singtel is also deploying network slicing in mission-critical use cases, using network slicing to improve road safety by supporting real-time situational awareness and coordination of smart vehicles, conduct remote assessments of life-threatening medical situations through video calls and conferences, and use drones in remote areas to track and deliver medical supplies.
“Many more use cases are being developed across industries, including logistics, transportation, retail, agriculture, public safety, homeland security, entertainment and finance,” he said.
Singtel executives stressed that the company believes 5G is a game-changer and should be available to businesses of all sizes in Singapore and abroad, adding that Singtel has developed Paragon and CUBΣ, a network orchestration platform that businesses can use to deploy 5G technologies, services and solutions to drive innovation and growth. “Our Paragon platform has been integrated into the enterprise product portfolios of our associate companies, such as AIS in Thailand and Telkomsel in Indonesia, as well as other telcos in Spain and Taiwan,” said Yeo Liang.
Commenting on the telco’s O-RAN strategy, the executive explained that Singtel is currently working with mobile vendors based on 3GPP RAN systems for network reliability and ease of maintenance. “As 5G continues to evolve, we will continue to explore the suitability of O-RAN to best meet consumer and enterprise requirements,” he said.
In June 2018, Singtel joined the O-RAN Alliance along with six other international operators, which now has 26 member operators. The Singtel Group has a presence in 21 countries and actively contributes to the O-RAN Alliance by attending technical steering committee meetings and working with stakeholders to conduct trials, the executive added.
