Singapore local telecoms company Singtel and networking giant Ericsson have signed a deal to collaborate on testing technologies for the deployment of 5G networks in a long term plan to roll out this new technology.
Both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore 5G networks and the possible applications that can be implemented to meet the needs of consumers and industries. The two companies will also study how the next-generation mobile network can support Singapore’s vision of being a ‘Smart Nation’, according to its press release.
The companies will study potential 5G technologies that can be applied in a local setting, such as those supporting Massive Machine Type Communications (MTC) and a cloud-based network.
“We see 5G as a potential technology that will support very advanced communication needs in the future,” said Mr Tay Soo Meng, Singtel Group’s Chief Technology Officer.
Singtel is not the only tech vendor that has joined forces with a networking giant. Last November, Ericsson signed a deal with Chinese IT company Huawei to launch a 5G Joint Innovation Programme, which will serve as a research platform for 5G mobile broadband technologies.
Additionally, Singtel is also a member of the Next Generation Mobile Network (NGMN) Alliance, which is championing the finalisation of the NGMN 5G white paper that sets out parameters such as performance requirements, network architecture, spectrum and intellectual property rights. The paper will be presented at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona in March this year.
The next-generation network is expected to be rolled out starting 2020, according to Ericsson.
