Page 109 - SAMENA Trends - October 2019

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

IMDA Singapore to Ensure Competitive Edge by Allowing Four 5G Networks

applications, possible only through a
full-fledged 5G network. The technology
promises surfing speeds 20 times faster
than what 4G networks offer and the ability
to connect 1,000 times as many devices.
A full-fledged 5G network will also be
able to support critical applications
such as driverless car navigation and
remote surgery that requires a constant
connection without lag. Operators have
been asked to submit detailed proposals
by January next year, after which 5G
airwaves will be assigned. Two networks
will be earmarked for nationwide coverage.
The proposals will be assessed on factors
such as network security design and
ability to achieve 50 per cent island wide
coverage by end-2022. Operators of the
nationwide 5G network need to each offer
at least $55 million for the scarce 3.5GHz
band of airwaves to provide nationwide
Singapore has set its sights on up to four in July elicited calls to involve all four coverage. Meanwhile, operators of the
5G networks, instead of the two initially telcos here - Singtel, StarHub, M1 and two smaller 5G networks will pay only an
planned for, as it takes bolder steps to TPG Telecom - to spur innovation. The annual utilization fee and be given the
embrace a technology believed to be authority had originally planned to give out millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. They
crucial to the nation’s economic growth. licenses to operate only two 5G networks are allowed to piggyback on existing 4G
All four networks can be rolled out by with nationwide coverage built with the technologies initially as 5G technologies
next year, although nationwide coverage most advanced technologies that do not for mmWave deployments are not available
will take much longer and be limited to piggyback on existing 4G technologies. yet. The race for 5G supremacy is linked to
only two networks due to the scarcity of Announcing the decision, Minister for economic progress, and is at the center
5G airwaves for islandwide reach. These Communications and Information S. of an ongoing trade war between the
scarce airwaves, that enable nationwide Iswaran said Singapore can accommodate United States and China. The US has also
reach, will become available only in 2021, two more localized 5G networks in addition been trying to stop its allies from using
and wider coverage will start being rolled to two nationwide ones to involve all four 5G mobile systems supplied by Huawei,
out in 2022. However, all four networks telcos here. “IMDA expects the greater citing espionage concerns. It has said it
may offer localized coverage next year. The competition to benefit consumers and will evaluate how to share intelligence with
Infocomm Media Development Authority’s businesses, and bring about greater governments that have 5G networks using
(IMDA) more aggressive push to have choice, more competitive prices and equipment from “untrusted vendors”,
two extra smaller 5G networks factors in service innovation,” he said. “Singapore’s referring to Huawei. Mr. Iswaran said that
immediate industrial needs - for example, 5G ecosystem will be the backbone of Singapore has not banned any vendors.
in smart ports and smart factories to our digital economy.” The IMDA’s current He added: “We have emphasized the need
remotely operate cranes or vehicles to position does not compromise Singapore’s for resilience and vendor diversity in our
move shipping containers or goods round original intention to be among the front systems, and also that the systems meet
the clock. A public consultation completed runners in the roll-out of next-frontier our security requirements.”

Estonia Opens New 5G Consultation

Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (24.25GHz-27.5GHz) bands for 5G mobile Plans to auction three 3.5GHz licenses
and Communications (MKM) and the services. The regulators have not given a earlier this year were derailed due to a legal
Consumer Protection and Technical proposed schedule for when the spectrum challenge concerning the terms of the sale
Regulatory Authority (TTJA) have begun will be made available to operators. The and the number of concessions on offer.
a consultation on the provision of the TTJA has previously consulted on the use
700MHz (694MHz-790MHz) and 26GHz of the 700MHz band in September 2016.
109 OCTOBER 2019