StarHub and Malaysian telco U Mobile announced on Oct 5 that they have successfully completed a multi-party roaming video conference call over 5G standalone technology.
The call, which is independent of 4G, is a part of trials to ensure consumers and businesses enjoy clear and lag-free communication and entertainment experiences.
The video conference was conducted among four roaming users – two with StarHub SIM cards in Malaysia and another two with U Mobile SIM cards in Singapore – and via popular messaging apps on 5G-capable phones.
At the same time, the companies ran a series of cross-border speed and ping tests, achieving download speeds of over 1.3Gbps and latency of under 5ms on average – up to 10 times faster when compared to existing 4G technologies.
The cross-border tests were conducted on trial 5G SA network infrastructure.
In Singapore, the tests were done on trial 3.5GHz spectrum granted by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). In Malaysia, the tests were done using 100MHz C-band spectrum, via Apparatus Assignment by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.
“At StarHub, bringing new and customer-focused innovation has always been our priority. First to unleash 5G non-standalone services for Singapore consumers and businesses in August, we are now delighted to have crossed another major 5G milestone with U Mobile in the journey towards 5G SA commercialisation in both countries,” says StarHub’s chief technology officer Chong Siew Loong.
“Our successful 5G SA trial with U Mobile is an exciting prelude to how 5G will enable everyone and everything to enjoy closer connections, remote collaboration and productivity boosts and unified communications wherever they are,” Chong adds.
“As this is the one of the first of its kind trial in the world, the key learnings received will be extremely beneficial and it will be applied to accelerate the roll out and take up of 5G roaming services in Malaysia and Singapore once 5G becomes commercially available in both countries,” shares U Mobile’s chief technology officer Woon Ooi Yuen.
“When it is eventually commercially launched, 5G SA roaming will enhance cross-border connectivity needs between both countries especially for business communities and those who regularly commute between both sides of the border,” Woon adds.
As at 11.20am, shares in StarHub are trading 3 cents higher, or 2.5% up, at $1.23.
