South Korea may have claimed first place in the race for 5G when they launched support for the advanced wireless protocol on their mobile networks in April, but Singapore isn’t far behind, with plans to launch the 5th generation mobile network service sometime next year. Now, the government is taking the time to consult with both industry experts and the public on how best to implement their 5G network.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) released a press release today announcing the launch of a public consultation seeking views from the industry and general public “on the appropriate regulatory frameworks and policies for 5G.” IMDA said the feedback will not only assist in their 5G rollout but also help identify “innovative 5G applications and services for Singapore.”
So what exactly could we do with super fast 5G service? As IMDA described in their release, “Consumers will be able to enjoy an enhanced and immersive user experience, including access to Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality content and live streaming of 4K/8K videos. Businesses will be able to leverage 5G capabilities to develop innovative applications and improve productivity and efficiency in a wide range of sectors including manufacturing, transport, media and healthcare.”
The regulator said that 5G would also allow for possibilities such as cloud gaming — allowing consumers with low-end phones to play high-end games, with the graphics being rendered on a high-powered server and streamed at speeds fast enough to allow for seamless gameplay. Another potential use, they noted, would be autonomous vehicles.
That all sounds spiffy, so what does the government want to consult the industry and public about? IMDA said they want to hear views on a few key areas of implementation, including how the frequency spectrum is allocated to mobile network operators and how they can build “a broader 5G ecosystem through innovative 5G use-cases.”
IMDA said it will support those innovations by waiving frequency fees for mobile network operators that are “keen to conduct technical and/or commercial 5G trials.”
The public consultation will begin today and end on June 19. For more technical details on the planned rollout and information on how you can participate in the consultation, you can check out the IMDA website.
