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Nokia and M1 partner up to deploy 5G standalone networks in Singapore

By Liu Hongzuo - on 14 Jan 2021, 9:06am

Nokia and M1 partner up to deploy 5G standalone networks in Singapore

In an official statement, Nokia announced a new, practical partnership with M1 that will see another 5G standalone (5G SA) milestone met in 2021. Using Nokia's 5G software and cloud-based 5G Core, the orange telco is set to provide 5G standalone networks.

As previously explained, 5G SA runs on built-to-spec 5G infrastructure. Such equipment gives us access to more frequency bands with faster maximum speeds, unlike 5G NSA where it somewhat piggybacks existing 4G infrastructure. While 5G SA has its limitations, 5G SA brings about another class of speed and latency that 4G or LTE-Advanced connectivity can only dream of achieving.

“5G standalone is going to be the real game-changer for 5G. With Nokia’s 5G standalone Core integrated into our 5G network, we are well-positioned to harness the endless possibilities that 5G standalone can bring about," said Manjot Singh Mann, Chief Executive Officer, M1.

The partnership sees the inclusion of Nokia's 5G core and Cloud Packet Core Software in M1's 5G SA network, which should help M1 design and automate network slicing. These Nokia components are hosted on Keppel Corporation's data centre infrastructure, where it's serviced by service routers using the Nokia FP4 chipset. The efficient design of 5G SA provision would enable M1 to serve high-spec needs for mobile data. The usual suspects are listed in its official statement, which includes cloud gaming, digital health, smart manufacturing, remote operations, and more.

“With Nokia 5G standalone Core, we are pleased to be expanding our long-standing partnership with M1, enabling Singapore’s transformation to 5G by providing a host of new capabilities. It will deliver a greater customer experience, superior serviceability and important operational efficiencies. In addition, we are excited and looking forward to developing and testing pioneering industrial uses cases together with M1 and industry leaders in Singapore," said Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services, Nokia.

Network partnerships between Nokia and M1 have lasted longer than we can remember. In 2016, the two came together to roll out Narrow-Band IoT networks for low-bandwidth machines. 2018 saw the implementation of Nokia's LAA techniques and small cells to achieve 1Gbps network download speeds on M1's mobile data network. Nokia is also an infrastructure partner for StarHub's 5G efforts since M1 and StarHub won the rights to deploy 5G as a consortium.

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