Singapore telco regulator proposes standalone 5G networks

Singapore’s telecoms regulator is proposing that mobile operators deploy standalone 5G networks, paving the way for enterprises in the city-state to tap the full potential of 5G connectivity. In a public consultation document released last week to seek industry feedback on 5G regulatory policies, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said it will support the adoption of standalone 5G specifications, which are expected to be harmonised internationally in early 2020. The 5G deployments in many countries today are based on non-standalone specifications, which support enhanced mobile broadband services by using large bandwidths and hardware improvements, but still rely on existing 4G networks for connectivity. not support the full suite of 5G capabilities. Standalone 5G networks, on the other hand, are independent networks and will offer more advanced capabilities, such as ultra-low latency and higher density of connections to support the internet of things (IoT).