Singtel boosts 5G coverage with 700 MHz spectrum, expands reach across Singapore

Singtel, a telecommunications conglomerate based in the city-state, announced on February 7 that it will deploy 700 MHz spectrum to further boosting its 5G coverage nationwide.

With this enhancement, Singtel’s 5G will be known as Singtel 5G+, and feature increased signal strengths of up to 40 percent in high-rise indoor and underground spaces, as well as in remote areas across Singapore, it said in an official news release.

The low frequency spectrum can cover more ground with fewer towers, bolstering network reliability, essential for enterprises that require always-on connectivity for their operations or consumers who want to make video calls or stream content at these locations.

This move follows the Info-communications Media Development Authority’s grant of the rights to use the 700 MHz spectrum.

An estimated 1.5 million subscribers, including Singtel mobile enterprise, postpaid, prepaid and GOMO 5G customers, are expected to benefit from this uplift in coverage, at no additional cost.

Highlighting the development, Ng Tian Chong, Chief Executive Officer, Singtel Singapore, said, “Today’s consumers are leading increasingly digital lifestyles, while businesses are seeking cutting-edge solutions to drive growth and innovation. Anticipating these demands, we invested ahead in achieving 5G coverage so Singapore could be a testbed for innovation and realise its Smart Nation ambitions. With 5G+, Singtel is setting a new standard in 5G connectivity that will benefit both consumers and enterprises. We will continue to explore the latest technologies to bolster our 5G+ offering to deliver enhanced digital experiences and enable more opportunities for our customers to advance.”

Wider, deeper coverage across the island

With the 700 MHz band, connectivity signals can travel longer distances, thus maintaining high-quality connections. This deployment enables coverage to be further extended to Singapore’s peripheral regions like Tuas, Kranji, Sungei Kadut, Changi East and Jurong Island, which include military camps, factories and warehouses, where spatial constraints limit the installation of telecommunications infrastructure.

Consumers in these areas will be able to make lag-free video calls, live stream or even play immersive games on their mobile devices more seamlessly. 5G+ also boosts enterprise productivity by enabling faster data transfer and analytics, imperative for mission-critical sectors such as healthcare, public safety and port operations.

Enhanced reliability in dense urban environments

The deeply penetrating properties of the 700 MHz band allows for better signal transfer in dense urban environments like Singapore. This ensures uninterrupted calls and data services in locations like basement carparks and HDB estates or high-rise commercial developments where concrete structures in close proximity typically hinder connectivity signals.

The additional spectrum will also improve the performance of services and applications in sectors like security and manufacturing which rely on smooth transmission of high-definition video footage for real-time threat detection and emergency response as well as to augment operational efficiency and quality control.

Advancing 5G capabilities in Singapore

Singtel has always invested early in technologies such as 5G and has been progressively unlocking new features from this new generation network, with the aim of positioning Singapore as a testbed for global innovation. Since achieving 5G nationwide coverage in 2022, a world’s first, Singtel has deployed its 5G capabilities like network slicing for enterprise applications as well as at high-traffic events, such as the National Day Parade, Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts.

The deployment of the 700 MHz spectrum is part of Singtel’s ongoing efforts to empower people and future-proof businesses.