Singapore picks Nokia, Ericsson over Huawei to build 5G networks

(REUTERS): Singapore’s three biggest telecommunication companies have selected Finland’s Nokia and Sweden’s Ericsson over Huawei Technologies to build the main fifth-generation (5G) networks in the city-state.

According to an international news agency, the selection comes amid tension between Singapore’s biggest trading partners, the United States, and China. Singapore has allowed telcos to choose their network vendors provided they meet various requirements, including security.

Singapore’s biggest telecom operator, Singapore Telecommunications will use Ericsson equipment, while the joint venture between StarHub and M1 consortium has opted for Nokia gear.  

In a separate statement, 5G licensee Singapore Telecommunications said it had selected Sweden’s Ericsson to negotiate the provision of ran, core, and mmWave networks.

In this regard, Singaporean minister for communications and information, S. Iswaran, said, “Singapore did not exclude any vendor and had spelled out its expectations for 5G networks, with an emphasis on security, resilience, and performance.

He further said, “It gave telcos the final 5G licenses after they completed required processes, including the selection of preferred frequency spectrum lots and vendor partners.”

Singapore will begin rolling out 5G service in January 2021, aiming to cover all of the city-state by the end of 2025.

Unlike the upgrades of cellular standards, the 5G standard will deliver not just faster telephone and computer data services but also help connect vehicles, machines, cargo, and farming equipment.