Since the introduction of the Internet, speed has been the name of the game. From the days of 56kbs to gigabit per second (Gbps), increased speeds have been responsible for introducing next generation communications services. Singapore Telecommunications Limited, or Singtel, just announced it is going to deliver 450Mbps 4G LTE (News - Alert)-Advanced mobile data speed in the country, which will be 50 percent faster download speeds than current LTE services.
Singtel is a telecom based in Singapore with a combined mobile subscriber base of more than 600 million customers in 25 countries around the world. The company provides next generation communications, infotainment and technology services to consumers and small businesses across the Asia Pacific region. According to the company, the increased capability it just announced is part of its journey to fully deploy 5G in Singapore.
The company said the 450Mbps will allow its customers to download a full length HD movie in less than two minutes over mobile data, which will be offered at no additional charge. However, the network pilot test was able to achieve 1Gbps speeds using 4x4 MIMO technology, making it possible for Singtel to increase its capability for delivering next generation communications services.
Yuen Kuan Moon, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said, “Singtel is investing ahead to deliver faster speeds and wider connections with the steady deployment of innovative technologies on our live network. With more customers consuming and sharing mobile videos, 450Mbps speeds will enable them to download movies in a flash and give them a better entertainment experience while on the go.”
The demonstration was carried out along with Ericsson (News - Alert) on a live 4G network pilot at two sites. The goal is to progressively rollout the 450Mbps on its network throughout the country and the 1Gbps service in select high-traffic locations. This of course will require mobile devices that support this capability. As of now, customers with Samsung (News - Alert) Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge can start using the service, and more compatible phones will be available in early 2017.
Singtel was able to achieve this speed by upgrading its nationwide LTE network to support 256 QAM or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. This is a technology that is preparing the industry as a whole to get ready for 5G. With 256 QAM, operators can elevate their spectral efficiency by increasing the number of unique radio waveform shapes to carry up to 33.33 percent more data.