SingTel Expects 42Mbps Downloads on 3G Network Within 18 Months

Ericsson has won a US$160 million contract from Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) to expand and enhance its GSM/WCDMA/HSPA networks. Ericsson will provide a complete IP-based radio access and common core network. With Ericsson's network improvements, SingTel's existing HSPA network will be upgraded to offer download speeds of up to 14.4Mbps (from the current 3.6Mbps) and upload speeds of 5.76Mbps (currently 384kbps).

The enhancements will also put SingTel in good stead for HSPA Evolution, enabling even faster download and upload speeds of up to 42Mbps and 12Mbps respectively within the next 18 months.

The operator's network will expand to more than 2800 base stations by April 2009.

Mark Chong Chin Kok, SingTel's Executive Vice President of Networks, says: "This mobile network enhancement program is part of SingTel's ongoing efforts to deliver unparalleled, reliable mobile service and coverage to our customers. It also provides SingTel with the flexibility to meet future growth in both usage and demands, especially for mobile data. More and more customers are accessing data and the internet on the move, and they need higher data speeds.

The network enhancements are to be completed by March 2009.

Posted to the site on 16th May 2008