Singtel deploys 5G Standalone sites across Singapore and issues 5G SIM cards

By Rachael Sharpe
published

The Singapore telco is currently rolling out 5G SA in locations across the island, including some indoor sites, and is issuing compatible SIMs.

David Mark from Pixabay
(Image credit: David Mark from Pixabay)

Singtel has accelerated its 5G push, deploying hundreds of 5G Standalone (SA) sites, running on 3.5GHz spectrum, across Singapore. The telco is also expanding its 5G in-building coverage, which began with VivoCity, and includes Ngee Ann City and selected Singtel Shops across Singapore. Also, in preparation for the 5G standalone commercial launch, Singtel has begun issuing 5G SA compatible SIM cards to customers.

The Singapore telco has made their new 5G SIM capable of supporting faster speeds, lower latency rates and offering enhanced authentication and encryption, giving customers a seamless and secure 5G network experience.

“We are ready to usher in a new era of connectivity with 5G SA.”

Ms Anna Yip, Singtel.

“We are ready to usher in a new era of connectivity with 5G SA and introduce our customers to the transformational benefits of blazing fast speeds and ultra-responsive connections which will elevate their everyday experiences. Our engineers are working in earnest with key handset manufacturers to complete testing and prepare the next-generation network for commercial launch. As our 5G network gains momentum and evolves, we invite our customers to mark an exciting 5G milestone with us and upgrade to our new 5G SIM cards to future proof and enhance their mobile experience,” said Ms Anna Yip, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Singapore, Singtel.

5G radio access network upgrade

In order to deliver 5G SA’s ultra-fast speeds and connections, Singtel has upgraded its 5G radio access network with advanced radio technologies to connect to a cloud-native standalone 5G core network, enabling it to run 5G independently. Furthermore, the network will soon offer network slicing, allowing for the dynamic distribution and optimisation of network resources to support a wide range of applications.

As Singtel intensifies its 5G SA deployment across Singapore in the coming months, handset manufacturers on the Island will progressively roll out 5G SA software updates for existing 5G handsets and launch more 5G SA compatible models in Singapore later this year. Currently customers with new 5G SIMs and 5G phones won’t be able to access 5G standalone networks, until the software catches up.

Singapore’s fastest 5G NSA network

Singtel has been operating Singapore’s fastest 5G NSA network under a market trial, since last September, offering 5G speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps. This has allowed the network to extend its 5G coverage indoors and boost its island-wide coverage. Singtel customers enjoy the benefits of 5G technology with first-of-its-kind 5G XO Plus mobile plans, replete with innovative applications such as augmented reality books, virtual reality live music and data-free gaming. Consumers in Singapore can get a taste of ultra-fast 5G speeds at Singtel’s 5G experience zones.

Rachael Sharpe
Rachael Sharpe

Rachael is a British journalist with 17 years experience in the publishing industry. Since launching www.digitalcameraworld.com, she’s been freelancing, and working for some of the world’s best-loved websites and magazines including T3.com and TechRadar.com and has also had a book, iPad for Photographers, published. A regular contributor at 5Gradar, Rachael is following the 5G market closely. Find out more at www.rachaelsharpe.com