Prime Highlight
- Singtel has launched a technical trial of 50Gbps fibre broadband to prepare its network for rising digital and AI-driven demand.
- The trial aims to assess performance and reliability before rolling out ultra-high-speed services to homes and businesses in the future.
Key Facts
- The 50Gbps XGS-PON trial will test networks where multiple devices run AI-enabled applications simultaneously.
- Singtel said the technology could support services such as 8K/12K streaming, immersive AR/VR, cloud gaming, smart homes and advanced healthcare applications.
Background
Singtel has launched a technical trial of 50Gbps fibre broadband in Singapore as part of its plan to prepare its fixed network for the next wave of digital demand. The company said the trial is the first of its kind in the country and will help it assess how future networks can support emerging technologies.
In a statement, Singtel said the 50Gbps XGS-PON trial will test network performance and reliability in environments where multiple devices run AI-enabled applications at the same time. The goal is to understand the upgrades needed before the service can be rolled out widely to homes and businesses in the coming years.
The telecom operator linked the move to rising global demand for bandwidth. Growth in ultra-high-definition video, immersive media, cloud services and artificial intelligence is placing pressure on current broadband speeds. Singtel said the next three to five years will see sharp growth in data use across residential and commercial users.
According to the company, 50Gbps broadband could open the door to a wide range of new home services. These include smooth streaming of 8K and future 12K video, high-quality virtual and augmented reality, cloud gaming with low lag, and cloud-based personal computers for remote work or home businesses.
Singtel also highlighted healthcare use cases such as real-time medical imaging, remote consultations and virtual reality-based physiotherapy. AI-driven smart homes that rely on instant data from cameras, sensors and connected devices could also benefit from faster and more stable connections.
The company added that higher-speed fibre would support next-generation Wi-Fi, large Internet of Things networks and new forms of AI-generated entertainment.
Singtel said the trial builds on its recent network upgrades, including nationwide standalone 5G coverage, the use of new spectrum to improve reach, and the launch of network slicing for services like cloud gaming.
