Singaporean operator M1 Limited announced that all its mobile handset plans will come with 5G connectivity.
In a release, the Asian carrier said that consumers who sign up for the first time or contract renewals on any M1 mobile plans will get 5G connectivity via the telco’s 5G Standalone network.
M1 noted that its 5G SA network currently covers about 90% of Singapore including CBD, Marina Bay Financial Center, key town centers and high data usage areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Bishan, Chinatown, Clementi, Orchard Road, Pasir Ris, Paya Lebar, Sengkang, Tampines and Woodlands.
M1 Limited had launched a commercial trial of its 5G Standalone network in July 2021. The telco said it was expecting to reach nationwide coverage with its 5G Standalone network during this year.
In November last year, M1 secured frequencies in the 2.1 GHz spectrum band to support 5G growth in Singapore. The telco had been offering 5G services via spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band.
Last month, M1 said it will carry out a multi-year project that aims to provide ubiquitous 5G Standalone offshore coverage for the southern coast of Singapore, including the surrounding waters of the southern islands.
The telco noted that extending 5G offshore coverage enhances connectivity in the maritime ecosystem and enables new 5G use cases and applications.
M1 also said that the project is also funded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
Under the terms of the project, M1 will provide a 5G Standalone network to trial, develop and deploy new maritime 5G use cases under the IMDA Innovation and Ecosystem Testbed Program and the MPA Innovation Lab.
Rival operator Singtel had previously said its 5G Standalone network already covered over 95% of the country’s territory.
Singtel’s 5G SA network now covers more than 1,300 outdoor locations and over 400 building across Singapore.
Singtel had announced the launch of its 5G SA network in the country in May of 2021. The carrier had partnered with Korean company Samsung to launch the 5G SA network, which runs on 3.5 GHz spectrum.
Singtel had initially launched its 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) network in September of 2020, using spectrum in the 3.5 GHz frequency as well as existing 2.1 GHz spectrum.
The carrier also has said it is using 28 GHz mmWave spectrum, in addition to the 3.5 GHz and 2.1 GHz bands, to boost its 5G deployment in Singapore.
Meanwhile, Starhub is expected to fully deploy their 5G SA networks by the end of the year while TPG Telecom is still building out its 5G network, according to local press reports.
Source: rcrwireless.com
