Singtel and Ericsson have signed a five-year strategic partnership to scale up Singapore’s 5G capabilities and build AI-powered networks for consumers and enterprises, extending a collaboration the two companies announced in March 2026.
The agreement builds on years of work together that produced one of the world’s first nationwide 5G standalone networks, along with network slicing and differentiated connectivity services for both enterprise and consumer customers.
Live trial lifted throughput by 19%
Singtel and Ericsson recently tested applying AI to network performance. A live-network trial of AI-powered radio access network capabilities showed a 19 per cent improvement in throughput, pointing to AI’s potential to optimise network resources and manage growing traffic more efficiently.
The new five-year roadmap will focus on scaling 5G Advanced and AI-powered network capabilities across industries, supporting more complex AI and autonomous applications, and building network capabilities that can anticipate demand, optimise performance and strengthen reliability.
“We’ve built a strong 5G foundation for Singapore and turned advanced network capabilities into services that benefit our customers. But the demands on connectivity are changing rapidly. As AI becomes more embedded in how we live and work, networks will need to support far more complex applications, from autonomous machines and real-time analytics to the AI tools people use every day,” said Ng Tian Chong, chief executive officer of Singtel Singapore.
“Singapore continues to set the benchmark for digital infrastructure and forward-thinking government policy. Through this renewed five-year partnership, Ericsson is working closely with Singtel to translate our shared infrastructure milestones into high-value outcomes for businesses and consumers alike,” said Daniel Ode, head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines, and global customer unit Singtel.
From Tuas Port to Terminal 5
Singtel launched Singapore’s first 5G standalone network in 2021 and reached more than 95 per cent nationwide 5G standalone coverage in 2022, three years ahead of regulatory targets. Since then, its 5G+ network, boosted by 700 MHz spectrum, has improved coverage by up to 40 per cent, particularly indoors, while network slicing introduced in 2025 gives consumers enhanced, priority connectivity for activities such as video calls, streaming and gaming.
On the enterprise side, 5G network slicing at PSA Singapore’s Tuas Port already supports secure, low-latency communications for automated guided vehicles, cranes and other port systems, enabling real-time coordination of port operations. More recent upgrades support peak uplink speeds of up to 250 Mbps on compatible devices, aimed at applications such as live streaming, remote monitoring and AI-powered video analytics.
Over the next five years, Singtel and Ericsson plan to extend network slicing and programmable connectivity to autonomous vehicles, industrial robotics, smart manufacturing and intelligent logistics, and will explore opportunities at developments including Changi Airport Terminal 5, Bulim Square and upcoming JTC sites, with potential uses spanning autonomous mobility, intelligent inspection and real-time video analytics.
AI to manage the network itself
For consumers, the partnership will build on Singtel’s existing 5G+ offerings with faster, more responsive connectivity and flexible, on-demand options for higher network performance when needed, as demand grows for stronger uplink speeds to support high-definition content and AI-powered applications.
The companies will also explore folding AI and machine learning into Singtel’s network operations, to better predict traffic patterns, optimise network resources and catch performance issues earlier, with greater automation across radio and core networks aimed at improving efficiency, energy use and service reliability.
