Singapore’s StarHub to triple LTE upload speeds
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Singapore’s StarHub plans to start rolling out carrier aggregation and 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) technology by the end of the year to triple peak upload speeds to 150Mbps.
The operator recently completed a trial of the technologies with Nokia, aggregating spectrum in the 1800-MHz and 2600-MHz bands.
Following the successful tests, StarHub plans to start deploying the technology starting in the Marina Bay and Orchard areas in time for the city’s year-end celebrations. A nationwide rollout is planned for 2017.
“The ability to upload quickly is fast becoming a necessity for our mobile customers. In fact, we saw a close to 50% increase in upload traffic year-on-year, as customers increasingly share high definition videos and photos instantly with the world,” StarHub CTO Mock Pak Lum said.
“Collaborating with technology partners such as Nokia, we are driving innovation in 4G for the benefit of our customers amid continued growth in mobile data use.”
Nokia head of Asia South Nicolas Bouverot added that the vendor is “committed to supporting StarHub in its quest to deliver a world-class service experience to its customers. Our technologies will enable the operator to improve the upload and download speeds of its 4G network even at peak traffic times to enrich the user experience.”
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific areas of Singapore will see the new technology deployed first?
Which specific areas of Singapore will see the new technology deployed first?
StarHub plans to begin deploying the new technology in the Marina Bay and Orchard areas. This initial rollout is scheduled to coincide with Singapore's year-end celebrations, before a wider deployment across the country.
Q.Which technologies will StarHub use to increase upload speeds?
Which technologies will StarHub use to increase upload speeds?
StarHub will be implementing carrier aggregation and 64 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) technologies. These technologies were successfully trialled with Nokia, combining spectrum in the 1800-MHz and 2600-MHz bands to enhance performance.
Q.What evidence does StarHub have for the growing need for faster upload speeds?
What evidence does StarHub have for the growing need for faster upload speeds?
StarHub's CTO noted a nearly 50% increase in upload traffic year-on-year. This surge is attributed to customers increasingly sharing high-definition videos and photos instantly, indicating a clear demand for improved upload capabilities.
Q.When is the nationwide rollout of the upgraded network expected?
When is the nationwide rollout of the upgraded network expected?
Following the initial deployment in specific city areas by the end of the year, a nationwide rollout of the improved network is planned for 2017. This will extend the benefits of the technology to a broader customer base.
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