Telecommunication operators in Singapore have reportedly chosen Ericsson AB & Nokia Oyj as the main 5G network providers. This has led Huawei Technologies Co. to have less significant contracts in the region.
Singapore Telecommunications Limited has chosen Ericsson as its main 5G provider, while StarHub Ltd. and others have opted for Nokia, following approval from the city for the rollout of 5G coverage. Huawei currently has a foothold in the telecoms market as the provider of the local network system for TPG Telecom Pte.
The final awards have been given to Singtel and a company formed by StarHub & M1 Limited after the completion of the regulatory processes. These processes include the selection of vendor partners and preferred frequency spectrum lots.
Singtel has reportedly stated that it has chosen Ericsson to start a negotiation to offer the 5G SA Core, mmWave network, and RAN. Additionally, Nokia has been chosen as the preferred provider of 5G core & mmWave networks for StarHub. Reportedly, StarHub has been exploring other network elements with ZTE Corp., Huawei Technologies Co., and Nokia.
The StarHub-M1 group and Singtel have been working together to launch a standalone 5G network in Singapore from January 2021. The country targets to deliver 5G coverage to nearly half the nation by 2022 end and the entire country by 2025. China and South Korea are other countries in the region that have started offering commercial 5G networks.
The rollout will significantly serve the rising number of people adopting digital services and connectivity due to the government regulations to maintain social distancing to curb the spread of coronavirus. 5G tech is also crucial in various applications such as remote surgery and autonomous driving. This move also comes along the heels of the increasing tensions between the U.S. and China, with U.S. administration banning Huawei from operating in its market. Singapore has close political and economic ties with China and the U.S, and has thus allowed its telecom companies to choose 5G suppliers at their own discretion.
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