Singtel upgrades its 4G network top speeds to 450Mbps
Singtel has announced the launch of its new nationwide 450Mbps 4G LTE-Advanced service. The new service offers up to 50% faster download speeds compared to prevailing LTE services, and will allow customers to download a full length HD movie in less than two minutes over mobile data.
Note: This article was first published on 11th Jan 2017.
Singtel says it is one step closer to 5G mobile broadband with the launch of its nationwide 450Mbps 4G LTE-Advanced service. The new service offers up to 50% faster download speeds compared to prevailing LTE services, and will allow customers to download a full length HD movie in less than two minutes over mobile data. The 450Mbps service is available to all Singtel 4G customers with compatible smartphones at no additional charge.
The speed enhancement has been made possible by Singtel upgrading its network to support 256 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, or 256 QAM. A pre-5G technology, 256 QAM increases the number of unique radio waveform shapes to carry up to 33.33% higher data and elevates spectral efficiency.
As of now, very few smartphones support 256 QAM, with only the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge standing out. However a soon-to-be-released software update for the LG V20 will also make it compatible. The Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus both use the Intel XMM7360 modem, which does not currently support 256 QAM. It is expected that most smartphones released in 2017 will support 256 QAM.
Mr 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.”
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