With 5G bringing a revolutionary change in connectivity and automation across industries, we look at three eye-catching projects in China, Singapore and India.
5G has the potential to transform the APAC region transforming the way we work and live for the better.
That’s why we are showcasing the projects leading the 5G agenda and there’s no doubt the technology has truly captured imaginations in the region.
For instance, South Korea currently has nearly 13 million 5G subscribers after a net addition of almost one million subscribers in the first months of the year.
This is according to local news agency Yonhap, citing data from the country’s Ministry of Science and ICT.
The report noted that the big boost in 5G subscriptions during the first month of the year was chiefly due to the popularity of Samsung Electronics’ latest flagship Galaxy S21 smartphones.
We take a look at some of the latest developments that have caught the eye.
Aurora Mobile is among first certified companies to pass MIIT’s completeness test for 5G messaging platforms
Aurora Mobile, a leading mobile developer service provider in China, has become one of the first companies to pass the completeness test for 5G messaging platforms required by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in China.
The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CTTL), a division of MIIT, officially launched the functional completeness test standard and certified Aurora Mobile and the first round of compliant companies.
Jingyao Wang, Director of the Mobile Internet Innovation CTTL, said: “5G applications are an important pillar for the development of the 5G service industry. CTTL continues to monitor new application scenarios and actively follows industry development trends and collaborates with 5G service operators and terminal manufacturers to jointly explore new applications.
“The launch of standards in testing methods related to 5G messaging has promoted the maturity and technical compliance of 5G service platforms.”
Aurora Mobile’s Government Affairs Director, Chao Ma, received the certificate on behalf of Aurora Mobile.
He said: “We passed CTTL’s testing and at the same time completed the update and iteration of related products and services. This has built a solid foundation for us to monetize our 5G messaging services in the future.
“We will use our JG Unification Messaging System to push various types of 5G-based rich communication services (RCS) in the form of texts, cards, pictures, audio and video, which will strengthen our ability to meet the personalized and diversified needs of users.”
As one of the first companies to be certified by MIIT, Aurora Mobile has developed a comprehensive strategy for 5G-based smart services. In November 2020, Aurora Mobile signed a 5G strategic co-operation framework agreement with China United Network Communications Limited Beijing Branch and officially became its 5G strategic partner and 5G messaging joint partner.
Going forward, Aurora Mobile will continue to focus on the exploration and innovation of 5G messaging solutions, invent new and convenient ways for users to access messages and gain greater insights into the application needs of various sectors, while facilitating overall Digital Transformation and development of the 5G services market.
Nokia deploys first 5G standalone RAN Sharing network for M1 and StarHub joint venture in Singapore
Nokia has announced the first 5G standalone (SA) Radio Access Network (RAN) Sharing network in South East Asia.
The company has been selected by Antina, a joint venture formed by mobile network operators M1 and StarHub, following a competitive tender process, to deploy 5G SA networks across Singapore.
The commercial deployment of a 5G SA network will introduce compelling new use cases and cater for the growing data demand in the country, putting Singapore at the forefront of 5G standalone technology in the region.
The partnership will enable Antina’s customers – M1, StarHub and other mobile service providers on wholesale arrangements – to benefit from a ultra-high speed, low-latency and highly secure 5G SA network that will reduce complexity and increase cost efficiencies. It will also enable new use cases across entertainment, cloud gaming, transportation, education and healthcare.
Nokia will provide equipment from its comprehensive AirScale portfolio and CloudRAN solution to build the RAN for the 5G SA infrastructure, utilizing the 3.5GHz spectrum band.
Nokia will supply 5G base stations and its small cells solution for indoor coverage, as well as other radio access products. Nokia’s 5G SA technology will provide Singaporean enterprises with the opportunity to explore multiple new use cases due to the network’s higher bandwidth, higher uplink speeds and lower-latency.
The Nokia CloudRAN solution is designed to enable Antina to build a more agile business, meet new traffic demands, make better use of spectrum as well as optimize performance and mitigate costs.
Nokia’s CloudRAN technology is expected to provide Antina with the flexibility to meet customer demands in the evolving 5G era. Nokia’s NetAct network management, CloudBand Application Manager and CloudBand Infrastructure Software will streamline operations and securely manage Antina’s networks.
The commercial launch of this 5G SA network in Singapore will underpin the infrastructure for a vibrant 5G ecosystem.
Tommi Uitto, President of Mobile Networks, Nokia, said: “This is an important win for Nokia that demonstrates our leadership in commercial-grade Cloud RAN as well as mobile operators’ trust in our capabilities for rapidly transitioning to 5G standalone networks.
“We look forward to supporting Antina in the deployment of a successful rollout of the 5G SA network in Singapore which aligns with the country’s vision of creating a world-class 5G infrastructure. We hope other global markets considering making the move to 5G SA will take note of Antina’s success.”
Capgemini augments its 5G innovation program by opening 5G Lab in India
Capgemini Group has continued to implement its intelligent industry strategy with the opening of two labs to enable industry experimentation and deployment of 5G and Edge technologies.
Located in Paris and Mumbai, both of these 5G Labs is designed to help organizations across every industry to pivot their business to be ready to take advantage of the 5G and Edge revolution.
The multidisciplinary team of experts at the labs will accompany organizations in the exploration of the latest use cases; experiencing new perspectives on how 5G is transforming their industry; and in helping them to build, monetize and strategize what 5G brings next for their business.
Pierre Fortier, Head of 5G at Capgemini Invent, said: “5G brings a step-change in connectivity and automation to all industries and opens new perspectives and possibilities for business. By embracing the 5G digital revolution, organizations will be able to take advantage of the increasing volume of data and derive real-time actionable insights.
“Our 5G Labs in Paris and Mumbai are designed to accompany organizations in their transformation journey towards intelligent industry, onboarding them in the 5G ecosystem to explore all innovation possibilities and helping them to build and monetize customized end-to end solutions for their business.”
