Singtel announced this week that it has extended the reach of its in-deployment 5G network to the underground MRT tunnels of the North East Line (NEL) from Harbour Front to Punggol stations, The Straits Times reports. The city-state’s largest mobile network operator (MNO) by subscriptions confirmed its first rollout for an MRT line, noting that currently, its 5G indoor coverage is spread over 300 locations across the island, including all malls along the NEL, bringing indoor/outdoor coverage to 75% of Singapore.
The paper also reported that rivals StarHub and M1 claim to be ‘on track’ to roll out 5G services to MRT tunnels in the next few months and reach ‘nationwide outdoor 5G coverage’ in 2022. The former is quoted as saying its 5G network covers ‘virtually all populated locations’ and that it is currently rolling out 5G services ‘to more indoor areas, including major shopping malls and town centres’. In March this year, StarHub reported that its 5G network covered more than 75% of Singapore outdoors. Meanwhile, M1 said it has achieved 75% outdoor 5G coverage, spanning the Central Business District (CBD) and key town centres. As per the three MNOs’ original target, they stated an aim to provide 50% 5G coverage by the end of 2022.
