5G Network Will Be Powered By 2 Brands Only Uncles / Aunties Know: Ericsson & Nokia

Let’s play a one-question game.

What’s the most important thing to have on your phone?

Some of you are thinking about those social media apps, Mobile Legends, Whatsapp or maybe even Spotify.

But none of them holds a candle to mobile data.

We can’t even use those apps without it unless there’s wifi around.

And while 4G is all the rage these years, we’re going to get something better soon.

5G Network

You know the saying: 5Gs are better than 4.

Ok, I just made that up.

According to TNP, two companies will be powering the new 5G network by 2025.

They’re even brands all the boomer aunty and uncles will know too: Ericsson and Nokia.

They’ll be key vendors for Singtel and Starhub-M1 joint venture to build two nationwide 5G networks.

Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) issued the final awards to the four telcos yesterday

This came after a thorough review of their business proposals in a regulatory process known as a call for proposal (CFP).

Sounds very kiasu? Understandable though, since they’re basically introducing something brand new.

Sadly, TPG did not manage to get the nationwide 5G licence.

Still, they’ll be allowed to operate smaller 5G networks that provide spot coverage using airwaves that are in abundance.

As for the rest, Singtel will be using Ericsson for the core components of its network, while StarHub and M1 have selected Nokia to supply core equipment.

And while all of this seems like huge changes, there’s something that’s going to be even bigger.

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Money

Or more specifically, how much money the telcos are investing in this 5G network project.

Well, there’s no exact amount so far but they’re expected to invest billions of dollars to roll out the 5G infrastructure over the next 15 years of their licence.

But with such a cost price comes great power.

Like, 20 times the speed of 4G and the ability to connect around 1000 more devices kind of great power.

And remember when I mentioned driverless cars?

Apparently 5G will support that too, along with mission-critical applications like remote surgery.

Eventual Plans

But things won’t be super perfect, especially with COVID-19 running around.

Communications and Information Minister S. Iswaran said there might be possible roll-out delays due to the pandemic.

“But as of now, we have no indication that it would be the case.”

While the end goal is to have the whole island with 5G by 2025, they aim to cover half of Singapore by 2022.

Please cover the west side, thanks.

However, smaller 5G networks that use shorter-range millimetre airwaves might even be rolled out later this year.

Other than their nationwide networks, Starhub, Singtel and M1 will get millimetre airwaves to operate smaller 5G networks.

IMDA will also be launching its 5G Living Lab@Pixel in one-north in September to allow start-ups to develop and test 5G applications.

“Because every sector is going to adapt and digitalise, 5G, for example, is going to be an important enabler for certain sectors, as a start,” Mr Iswaran adds.

The future is coming and it’s going to be much sooner than we think.

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