Displaying items by tag: Singapore

European telecommunications vendor Nokia has announced that it has completed the first outdoor pilot of 5G New Radion on 3.5GHz frequency with Singaporean operator StarHub.

Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) launched a public consultation to seek views on its proposed framework for the Telecommunication and Subscription TV Mediation-Adjudication Scheme which aims to introduce an alternative dispute resolution scheme for telecommunication and media services.

This proposal was first unveiled in August 2016 as part of the public consultation on amendments to the IMDA Act and Telecommunications Act, and is intended to supplement existing consumer protection measures and dispute resolution approach to meet rising public expectations for better customer care and service levels.

The Scheme aims to provide an alternative avenue for consumers and small businesses to resolve disputes with telecommunication and media service providers in a “fair, affordable, and effective manner,” while incentivizing faster resolution by the service providers.

IMDA is proposing a two-stage process for the Scheme: In the mediation stage, where the disputing parties agree on a resolution, the terms of settlement for the dispute will be recorded in a written agreement that is binding on both parties. In the adjudication stage, the adjudicated decision will be final and binding on the service provider if the consumer accepts it.

As the Scheme is intended to supplement and not replace existing complaint channels set out by service providers, consumers are to first approach their respective service providers to resolve any disputes before escalating unresolved disputes to the alternative dispute resolution body appointed by IMDA.

IMDA is also proposing to make it mandatory for certain telecommunication and media service providers to participate in the Scheme to ensure a more effective dispute resolution process for consumers and small businesses. Consumers, however, will have the flexibility to resolve their disputes through the Scheme or through other avenues such as the Small Claims Tribunal.

The Scheme is designed to cover widely-used telecommunication and media services, such as mobile, broadband and subscription TV services. It will also seek to address common disputes that are known to be consumer pain-points, such as disputes on billing or service quality that can usually be resolved through service recovery efforts, or compensated in kind of monetary terms.

Singapore’s largest telecom company Singtel announced the launch of its new network solution – Singtel Managed Software-Defined Branch (Singtel SD Branch) to support enterprises’ evolving networking needs across the globe.

Highly scalable and cost-efficient through a “white box” or generic hardware, Singtel SD Branch empowers enterprises in managing multiple and virtualized network functions at their existing sites or when they expand into new branch offices.  

With Singtel SD Branch, enterprises are assured of enhanced security and optimal performance of their networks and applications. They can better monitor network usage and issues in real-time. Enterprises can also add new functions, such as unified threat management, to the same hardware without incurring additional installation charges. These will in turn reduce their capital and operating expenditures.

“Many enterprises today deal with challenges of complex hybrid WAN architecture encompassing private and public Internet networks,” said Mr Goh Boon Huat, Vice President, Global Products at Singtel Group Enterprise.

“Singtel SD Branch provides a way to spin up and take down services seamlessly, offers full service visibility and manageability up to the application layer. This simplifies their WAN infrastructure, enabling agile managed network solutions to keep pace with growing business needs in different geographical regions.”

Singtel SD Branch is available globally and integrated seamlessly with Singtel’s underlay assets of submarine cables, IP VPN network of 428 Points of Presence, and its Global Internet service in more than 200 countries.

Developed based on the network functions virtualization (NFV) concept, Singtel SD Branch is the latest addition to Singtel’s suite of next generation SD network solutions following the launch of its SD-WAN in 2015 and cloud-based NFV service last year. Embedded with Singtel’s Security by Design, enterprises’ network services are protected against security breaches.

Singtel’s SD network solutions will help enterprises meet their WAN requirements, and employ a consistent and comprehensive unified portal for end-to-end monitoring, analytics, and visibility into all of their networks and application services. Enterprises are also able to provision new services and scale their network bandwidths on demand.

Nokia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with St Luke's Eldercare (SLEC) to co-develop and conceptualize innovative solutions for the elderly. As part of the MoU, Nokia and SLEC are trialing Asia's first fall prediction video analytics application.

SLEC is an aged-care service provider with an extensive network of senior care centers around Singapore, providing center-based daycare, day rehabilitation and nursing services; and home-based medical, nursing and therapy services.

The solution leverages Nokia Bell Labs' proprietary video analytics technology to create an unobtrusive and continuous monitoring system to determine the likelihood of an elderly person falling. The personalized and predictive solution will analyze information about walking speed, gait width and step width, and predict and send an alert when there is an increased risk of the person falling.

This application will be integrated into Nokia's IMPACT IoT Platform in the next phase, to allow the caregiver to view and collect information from the solution and other sensors that the elder is using.

"Our partnership with Nokia aligns with our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our patients, clients and caregivers, and our long term vision of transforming community care,” said Dr. Kenny Tan, Chief Executive Officer of SLEC. “We hope that by trialing this solution with Nokia, it will enable significant improvements on fall risk prediction, early intervention, and care provision before seniors suffer an injury." 

A joint study on eldercare IoT innovation, developed by Nokia and the Eden Strategy Institute, revealed that one-in-three elderly Singaporeans is likely to experience a fall once a year, with resulting injuries contributing at least S$1 billion to total healthcare costs.  

Being an experienced aged-care service provider with an extensive network of senior care centers around Singapore, SLEC's role is to provide guidance and feedback on the software development process.

"Nokia is committed to transforming digital healthcare and our innovative solutions aim to make a real difference in the lives of people,” said Danial Mausoof, head of Strategic Marketing, Asia Pacific & Japan for Nokia. “By empowering the elderly to live independently through personalized and predictive solutions, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the human experience, accelerating a digital future and reimagining healthcare in Asia."

Singtel and Ericsson will jointly establish a Center of Excellence (CoE) to facilitate 5G development and deployment in Singapore. 5G, the next-generation mobile network technology, is expected to roll out globally from 2020 and will deliver massive connectivity, ultra-low latency, gigabit speeds, and enable advanced applications such as smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality, and autonomous vehicles.

Co-funded by Singtel and Ericsson with an initial investment of 2 million Singapore Dollars over the next three years, CoE aims to spearhead the development of Singapore’s 5G mobile network infrastructure to support future Smart Nation initiatives. It will also be open to Optus, and Singtel’s regional associates across Asia and Africa to encourage knowledge sharing within the Singtel Group.

An integral part of CoE’s strategic goal is also to help industries and enterprises understand the value of 5G in transforming their business and the importance of shaping their long-term planning. This first-of-its-kind collaboration in Singapore will feature four pillars: up-skilling, demos, live field trials and collaborations with tertiary institutions.  

“This is a critical next step in our journey to 5G,” said Mark Chong, Group Chief Technology Officer, Singtel. “We’re pleased to partner Ericsson to enhance our 5G core competencies and create a robust 5G ecosystem that will allow Singtel and our enterprise customers to benefit from the anticipated growth opportunities 5G will bring.”

Activities will kick off in the later part of 2017, starting with Ericsson providing 5G expertise and conducting workshops, followed by field testing and hands-on experience to equip more than 100 Singtel engineers with critical competencies in designing and operating a 5G network.

5G demos will be set up in Singtel’s Comcentre headquarters to showcase future 5G application possibilities such as, immersive experience on Augmented Reality, enablement of haptic feedback in surgical operations, and remote medical education. 

Starting next year, a mobile 5G test bed will be deployed to carry out live 5G field trials with key enterprise customers.

Singtel will also engage research and tertiary institutions on potential collaboration opportunities to test 5G radios and possible applications that can benefit from the high speeds and low latency provided by 5G.

Martin Wiktorin, President and Country Manager for Singapore, Brunei & Philippines, Ericsson, says: “The establishment of the 5G CoE is timely and goes hand in hand with the Government’s move to encourage industry trials in 5G. Together with Singtel, we plan to set up a 5G test bed in 2018 for trials with key enterprise customers, with the objective of enabling a strong foundation to help design Singapore’s 5G future."

5G is seen as an important enabler for enterprises, having the potential to transform industries such as manufacturing, public safety, energy and utilities, transport, automotive and health care. It will also accelerate operational efficiencies to enable process transformation and new business models. 

For example, port operators can use 5G to provide remote control of Autonomous Guided Vehicles within port operations and improve platooning reliability, which will help boost port operations efficiency. The use of sensors and technologies such as drones and augmented reality enabled by 5G can be used for predictive maintenance and enhance safety of port workers.

According to the Ericsson Report on 5G Business Potential released earlier this year, 5G industry digitalization will provide a number of opportunities and boost annual revenue of mobile operators by USD582 billion from the year 2026. 5G-enabled industries, such as energy/utilities and public transport will enable operators to increase revenues by 34 percent by 2026.

Singapore-based telecom provider Singtel announced that it will accelerate fibre-based service adoption for its business and residential customers. Currently, fibre-based networks deliver speeds of up to 100Gbps and provide the connectivity needed for Smart Nation envisioned by Singapore.

“We are pleased to make this technology adoption push in support of today’s digital economy and tomorrow’s connected Smart Nation,” said Mr. Wong Soon Nam, Vice President, Consumer Products, Consumer Singapore, Singtel.

Smart Nation, launched in 2014 by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is a government initiative introduced to harness ICT, networks and big data to create tech-enabled solutions. The initiative aims to develop people-centric solutions to address global urban challenges.

“Fibre-based networks today are capable of offering far greater speeds and supporting a much wider range of services than the prevailing copper-based networks,” Mr. Wong said. “Fibre also provides customers with a robust connectivity that supports unified business communication applications and smart home services.”

In line with this push, Singtel will cease copper deployment to commercial buildings that obtain Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) status from April 2018 and will serve customers in these buildings using fibre-based networks. Commercial buildings that obtain TOP status before April 2018 will not be affected. Singtel ceased copper deployment to new residential buildings since 2013.

Singtel will also progressively close copper-based ADSL that support broadband, TV, Digital Voice and private network services. This closure is scheduled to be completed by early 2018.

“Singtel will work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure our customers will enjoy a smooth and fuss-free transition to the fibre network. We will also reach out to customers through various channels to make sure they are informed of the impending change and make available a range of affordable plans to cater to their varied communication needs,” added Mr Wong.

The world’s first test of truly live 360º video at the 2017 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix was conducted by Formula 1 and Tata Communications on Sept. 25 to show how the F1 racing experience could be augmented for fans worldwide by enabling them to experience the show in action almost as if they were there.

To-date, any 360º video experiments in sports have been hampered by a 30-second delay between the 360º video and live TV feeds, preventing a widespread adoption of the technology. This proof-of-concept by Tata Communications and Formula 1 is the first time when the live 360º video feeds and TV broadcast have been shown in complete sync.

There were two 360º cameras at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore in the trackside and paddock to show how viewers at home could immerse themselves in the world of F1 and experience these exclusive areas through a virtual reality (VR) like environment via the Official F1 App.

For example, during a Grand Prix build-up, fans could use their tablet to access a live 360º video feed from the paddock and see the biggest names in the sport. Or, during a race, as a driver pulls into the pits for a tyre change, fans could complement the action on TV with a 360º view of everything that is happening in the pit lane in real-time. 

“We’ve done this test to show how a fan could watch Lewis, Sebastian or any other drivers coming into the pits on TV, grab their tablet and get a second, completely in sync 360º view of everything going on around him while he is there - not 30 seconds after he has driven off!” said John Morrison, Chief Technical Officer, Formula 1.

“We want to unleash the full potential the F1 fan experience through the latest digital technologies,” said Sean Bratches, Managing Director, Commercial Operations, Formula 1. “Through this proof of concept, we’ve explored how live 360º video, and next VR, could transport fans from across the globe to the middle of the thrilling world of F1® and enable them to immerse themselves in each Grand Prix™ like never before.”

The live 360º video proof-of-concept follows close collaboration between Tata Communications and Formula 1 during the last five seasons to lay the foundations for the sport’s digital transformation, testing in action technologies such as UHD video and live broadcasting over the Internet (OTT), which could enable fans to experience F1 in new ways too. 

“This proof of concept shows the potential of live 360º video to augment the F1 TV viewing experience and bring VR mainstream in live sports and entertainment,” said Mehul Kapadia, Managing Director of Tata Communications’ F1 Business. “Eliminating the delay in 360º video means that, for the first time, it’s possible to offer fans truly live 360º video experiences on a global scale. This will enable sports and entertainment organisations to engage with their audiences in new ways and generate new revenue streams – helping the 360º video and VR market achieve its USD $60 billion potential.”

Singapore has been ranked number one in a test of broadband speeds across 189 countries. The data was collected across 12 months ending May 10, 2017, by Measurement Lab (M-Lab), a partnership between New America’s Open Technology Institute, Google Open Source Research, Princeton University’s PlanetLab, and others.

Broadband website Cable.co.uk undertook an analysis of the data made available by M-Lab. M-Lab aims to provide an “open, verifiable measurement platform for global network performance, as well as hosting the largest open internet performance dataset on the planet.” It is this open dataset that Cable.co.uk analyzed.

Speed was measured by how long it took to download a 7.5GB film. The throughput of a single TCP connection was measured, attempting to transfer as much data as possible for at least ten seconds.

“The data set has been queried for tests run in the year to 10 May 2017,” Cable.co.uk’s Analysis Methodology says, “in order to compile a league table of download speeds for countries tests have performed by at least 100 unique IP addresses.”

The Worldwide Country Ranking chart places Singapore at the top. It took 18 minutes and 34 seconds to download an HD movie for a mean download speed of 55.13Mbps in Singapore. In Sweden, which took the number two spot, it took 25 minutes and 30 seconds to download an HD movie for a mean download speed of 40.16Mbps.

Twenty of the top 30 speeds were recorded in Europe, with seven in Asia, two in North America and one, in New Zealand and Oceania. New Zealand recorded a mean speed of 16.6Mbps and a downloading time of one hour, two minutes and one second.

In contrast, 17 of the slower speeds were recorded in Africa, with seven in Asia, and six in South America. The top five listed countries include Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Denmark and Netherlands; while the bottom five listed countries include Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burkina Faso, Gabon and Yemen.

Singtel announced plans to deploy Massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology commercially on its LTE-Advanced mobile network, to enhance mobile data speed experience by up to 200% at special events for its customers.  A precursor to 5G technology, Massive MIMO is an advanced solution used to boost network capacity in highly dense environments. 

Singtel will team up with Ericsson, Huawei and ZTE to deploy Massive MIMO technology at the Marina Bay area. For a start, Singtel will roll out the network boost at the upcoming National Day celebrations, with other deployments planned for the Singapore F1 Night Race and the New Year countdown event. 

Over 150,000 people are expected at the Marina Bay area to celebrate National Day. Singtel

mobile customers gathered there will be able to enjoy a better data experience as they share their photos and videos of the exciting performances and fireworks on social media. 

Mr Mark Chong, Group Chief Technology Officer, Singtel, said: “On the joyous occasion of our National Day celebrations, Singtel is pleased to be pairing our newly-acquired 2.5GHz spectrum with Massive MIMO technology to expand our network capacity and offer our customers an enhanced mobile experience at this and other special events. We look forward to rolling out new technologies and innovative solutions to support the anticipated growth in mobile data.”  

Globally, large crowds gathered at events, such as concerts and festivals, use high volumes of data to share their experiences via real-time videos on social media.  This extraordinary behavior generates a dramatic spike in network traffic, presenting a challenge for operators to provide fast and consistent data speeds. 

Singtel has identified Massive MIMO as one of the solutions to the problem.  Singtel will use Massive MIMO base stations featuring a large array of 64 antennas that improve spectral efficiency and cell capacity using innovations in radio technologies.  

The innovative antenna system channels signals to users’ specific locations instead of broadcasting across a geographical area. This multiplies the number of data paths from the cellular base stations, thus increasing network capacity and improving user experience.  

Singtel provides Singapore’s fastest nationwide mobile data speeds at 450Mbps and recently launched 800Mbps speeds in the high-traffic Orchard Road area. In addition to having the island’s widest outdoor 4G coverage as rated by IMDA for 10 consecutive quarters, Singtel is also ranked the fastest telco in Singapore by global metrics leader, Ookla. 

Singapore’s Singtel is launching in phases, near-gigabit speeds on its LTE-Advanced network at selected high-traffic outdoor locations across the island. At 800Mbps, it is Southeast Asia’s fastest Gigabit-class LTE mobile data peak speed, delivering up to 60 percent faster download speeds than prevailing LTE services.

Mr. Mark Chong, Group Chief Technology Officer at Singtel, said, “As a leader in network innovation, we are committed to pushing the limits in network speeds, coverage and capacity, so we can continue delivering Singapore’s best mobile experience to our customers. We look forward to rolling out more network technology enhancements this year.”

The near-gigabit transmission speeds are achieved by scaling pre-5G technology solutions, 4x4 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (4x4 MIMO) and 256 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), coupled with triple carrier aggregation of spectrum exclusive to Singtel.  

Mr. Martin Wiktorin, President of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and Philippines said, “We are pleased to again partner with Singtel on this important step in the journey towards 5G. In delivering Singtel’s Gigabit-class LTE network, we are enabling an enhanced consumer experience as well as supporting Singapore’s Smart Nation vision, which will see the increase in bandwidth intensive applications.”

Singtel customers with Sony Xperia XZ Premium smartphones can enjoy the 800Mbps peak speeds at the outdoor areas of Shaw Centre, ION Orchard and Tang Plaza on Orchard Road. Full deployment at Orchard Road, Raffles Place and Clarke Quay is slated for the end of August. More Cat 16 smartphones supporting 1Gbps speeds are scheduled to be launched later this year.

The 800Mbps service augments Singtel’s nationwide 450Mbps mobile data speeds. In addition to having Singapore’s widest outdoor 4G coverage as rated by IMDA for 10 consecutive quarters, Singtel was also recently named the fastest telco in Singapore by global metrics leader, Ookla.