5G Trials in Singapore, Guam and Hong Kong

Nokia and StarHub complete “5G” New Radio pilot in Singapore

Singapore network operator StarHub and Nokia have conducted what they claim was the first outdoor live network demonstration of “5G” New Radio (NR) on the 3.5GHz frequency band in the Asian city-state.

The companies said two use cases were demonstrated to staff, industry partners and enterprise customers over ‘live’ Nokia 5G cells and core network technology at StarHub’s headquarters in Singapore.

The first use case demonstration for industrial applications replicated a manufacturing environment, demonstrating how businesses can use 5G-enabled video analytics to enhance efficiency and reduce production errors.

The use case for consumers demonstrated how sports fans can use a 5G-enabled virtual reality headsets to have immersive video experience of “live” sports events.

The trial was conducted in a 5G non-standalone network architecture, with Nokia 5G radio technology interworking with StarHub’s 4G core network.

Nokia deployed AirScale Radio Access technology with 5G NR 3GPP-compliant software and the Nokia AirFrame data center solution.

“As 5G inches closer, we are intensifying trials to identify new business opportunities and chart our network transformation roadmap to meet the demands of our customers,” said Chong Siew Loong, chief technology officer of StarHub.

“This successful pilot with Nokia showcases the readiness and possibilities of 5G to enhance consumer services and boost efficiencies for enterprises. It aligns with StarHub’s goal to support and accelerate Smart Nation initiatives in Singapore.”

https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/11/27/1657090/0/en/Nokia-and-StarHub-complete-5G-New-Radio-pilot-in-Singapore.html

https://www.telecomasia.net/content/starhub-nokia-trial-5g-35ghz-band

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NTT Docomo to establish 5G test lab in Guam

The facility, Docomo’s first overseas verification center, will allow Docomo’s Program partners to connect devices and services free of charge to the lab’s 5G base and mobile stations and related equipment.

The test environment will subsequently be extended to outdoor locations to allow verification testing in real-world outdoor environments.

The facility’s location in Guam will allow for testing according to US-market technical and regulatory conditions.

With the initiative, Docomo aims to allow for prompt, flexible and accurate verification of equipment, systems and technologies for applications such as drones and autonomous vehicles.

Docomo’s 5G Open Partner Program is designed to provide global businesses and organizations with the latest 5G information, test environments and opportunities for partner workshops. The partner program currently has more than 1,900 members.

Docomo already operates 5G open labs in Seoul, South Korea and Osaka, Japan.  The telco plans to open a third domestic lab in Okinawa, Japan next month.

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DOCOMO PACIFIC

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan telecommunications giant, NTT DOCOMO, DOCOMO PACIFIC was originally a merger of Guamcell Communications and HafaTel prior to acquisition in December 2006 by NTT DOCOMO. This acquisition allowed NTT DOCOMO the opportunity to share its world-leading technology with the region as evidenced by significant investments and upgrades in DOCOMO PACIFIC. In October 2008, DOCOMO PACIFIC was first on Guam to introduce the fastest and only 3.5G network. In November 2011, DOCOMO PACIFIC launched 4G HSPA+ service on Guam followed by the launch of advanced 4G LTE service in October 2012.

On 22 May 2013, DOCOMO PACIFIC officially merged with MCV Broadband and is now Guam and the CNMI’s leading provider of telecommunications and entertainment services. With combined offerings to include the latest mobile services, television, internet and telephone services in the region, DOCOMO PACIFIC continues to enhance the diversified range of services available to its customers.

https://www.telecomasia.net/content/docomo-establish-5g-test-lab-guam

https://www.docomopacific.com/about-us

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3HK completes Hong Kong’s first outdoor 5G trial

3 Hong Kong has revealed it has completed of 5G outdoor network trials in the 3.5-GHz and 28-GHz spectrum bands.

The company said it believes it was the first mobile operator in Hong Kong to complete a live outdoor 5G trial broadcast. The test was conducted at a trial cell site in Causeway Bay.

3 Hong Kong received an indoor 5G test permit for the 3.5-GHz band in August 2017, and completed a number of initial trials by the end of that year. In May, the company secured a temporary permit to conduct 5G trials in the 26-GHz and 28-GHz millimeter wave bands.

Another temporary permit for outdoor and indoor trials in the 3.5-GHz band was granted in June, and the company achieved 2Gbps network speeds during an earlier trial using 100MHz of spectrum in this band.

3 Hong Kong said the test results indicate that 3.5-GHz band coverage – when used in conjunction with Massive MIMO, can be comparable to the coverage afforded over LTE using the 1800-MHz band.

The design of 5G networks will use a combination of mid-band spectrum such as 3.5-GHz for a wider coverage area, and millimeter wave spectrum for high speeds

“3 Hong Kong took the initiative to carry out end-to-end trials in various 5G bands in preparation for a new era of mobile communications,” commented Kenny Koo, CEO of 3 Hong Kong’s parent company Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings.

“We welcome the government’s decision to allow various of its premises to accommodate 5G base stations, and we hope the application and approval processes can be simplified and accelerated to help Hong Kong’s 5G development.”

First published in Computerworld Hong Kong

 

 

4 thoughts on “5G Trials in Singapore, Guam and Hong Kong

  1. Japan’s NTT Docomo has arranged with partners in the US, Israel and Japan to collaborate on 5G trials in Guam, with the aim of verifying 5G-compatible systems and equipment for business solutions.Under the collaboration, NTT Docomo will provide the 5G test network, while solution partners will provide 5G-based products and services for use by testing by local field partners.These field partners comprise the electricity utility Guam Power Authority, the University of Guam, local wedding services provider ARLUIS Wedding Guam and United Airlines Guam.
    The Guam Power Authority will test 5G VR training solutions provided by Israel’s Humaneyes Technologies, as well as 5G monitoring with AI technology developed by Aegis Systems.The University of Guam office of IT will test a 5G AI-based robot system for identifying examinees from PLEN Robotic, and 5G monitoring with AI technology from US-based Smart Home Sentry.ARLUIS Wedding Guam will test a 5G multi-screen video live streaming solution from AMATELUS, while the United Airlines Guam Marathon Organizer will test a series of 5G drones, tourism, sports photo upload and 5G robotics solutions.Docomo also announced that it has opened a new 5G Open Lab in Guam, its first center outside of Japan for testing and verifying 5G technologies.A number of Japanese and overseas companies have already announced an intention use the facility to collaborate on cross-border 5G testing in partnership with Docomo.

    https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2019/0327_01.html

  2. NTT Docomo Pacific reveals 5G Open Lab, invites businesses to experiment with faster network

    Docomo Pacific revealed Guam’s first 5G test lab Wednesday at their Tamuning headquarters, where worldwide and local business partners can experiment with a 5G environment.

    “5G is everything we’re doing now, just faster and better,” said Docomo Pacific CEO and president Rod Boss. “This lab is really the first step to developing 5G.”

    A 5G network is not available to customers yet, he said. The lab space is meant to further the development of a 5G network on Guam and connect local businesses with the service.

    “Remember what it was like when you got your first cell phone or your first internet connection?” Boss said. “It took 10 minutes, 20 minutes to download one episode of something, then it went only taking a minute, now we’re impatient if it takes 5 seconds. What 5G will bring us, is that it’ll happen instantaneous.”

    This improved 5G network, he said, provides a platform for efficient applications, such as Smooth Space, a video-conference app.

    https://www.guampdn.com/story/money/2019/03/27/docomo-pacific-reveals-5-g-open-lab-guam/3283424002/

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