Singapore, 27 April 2021 – Singtel has accelerated its 5G push, deploying hundreds of 5G Standalone (SA) sites across the island in areas such as Orchard Road, the Central Business District, Harbourfront and Sentosa. It is also progressively expanding its 5G in-building coverage which began with VivoCity to more indoor sites, starting with Ngee Ann City and selected Singtel Shops across Singapore. The 5G SA sites run on 3.5GHz spectrum, enabling Singtel to deliver ultra-fast speeds and swifter response times.
In preparation for 5G SA commercial launch, Singtel will begin issuing 5G SA compatible SIM cards1 to customers from today. Capable of supporting faster speeds, lower latency rates and offering enhanced authentication and encryption, Singtel’s new 5G SIM will ensure customers have a seamless and secure 5G experience.
Ms Anna Yip, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “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.”
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. The network will soon offer network slicing capabilities that allow for the dynamic distribution and optimisation of network resources to support a wide range of applications. Singtel will intensify its 5G SA deployment across the island in the coming months as handset manufacturers progressively roll out 5G SA software updates for existing 5G handsets and launch more 5G SA compatible models in Singapore later this year.
From today, new and re-contracting customers who opt for a 5G Now add-on or 5G XO Plus plans2 will receive Singtel’s new 5G SIM card for free (U.P. S$37.45) until 31 May 2021. Existing customers with eligible plans3 can switch out their current SIM cards at no extra charge at all Singtel Shops, Singtel Exclusive Retailers, 24/7 unmanned store Singtel UNBOXED (now located at Plaza Singapura) and Singtel UNBOXED Lite multi-media kiosks at Tong Building on Orchard Road.
Since last September, Singtel has been operating Singapore’s fastest 5G NSA network under a market trial, offering 5G speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps. This has seen Singtel extend its 5G coverage indoors and boost its island-wide coverage. Singtel customers enjoy the benefits of 5G with first-of-its-kind 5G XO Plus mobile plans, replete with innovative applications such as augmented reality books (Bookful), virtual reality live music (MelodyVR) and data-free gaming (RiotGO).
All consumers in Singapore can get a taste of ultra-fast 5G speeds at Singtel’s 5G experience zones and visit singtel.com/5G to find out more about Singtel 5G.
###
ABOUT SINGTEL
Singtel is Asia’s leading communications technology group, providing a portfolio of services from next- generation communication, technology services to infotainment to both consumers and businesses. For consumers, Singtel delivers a complete and integrated suite of services, including mobile, broadband and TV. For businesses, Singtel offers a complementary array of workforce mobility solutions, data hosting, cloud, network infrastructure, analytics and cyber-security capabilities. The Group has presence in Asia, Australia and Africa and reaches over 700 million mobile customers in 21 countries. Its infrastructure and technology services for businesses span 21 countries, with more than 428 direct points of presence in 362 cities.
For more information, visit www.singtel.com
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SingtelNews
MEDIA CONTACT
Low Mei Yen Manager
Group Strategic Communications and Brand Mobile: +65 8799 0233
Email: lowmeiyen@singtel.com
1 All mobile services continue to be supported on existing 4G SIM cards
2 XO Plus 68 plans and above
3 XO Plus 68 plans and above
