STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SingTel, Asia's leading communications company, will set a new benchmark for mobile services with the launch of a range of groundbreaking 4G/LTE services this year in collaboration with Ericsson. These include:

• 300Mbps mobile broadband service with LTE-Advanced
• Improved video streaming with LTE Broadcast technology
• Enhanced indoor coverage with Ericsson Radio Dot System technology

Mr Tay Soo Meng, SingTel's Group Chief Technology Officer, said: "SingTel is continually enhancing and upgrading its networks to deliver the fastest and most consistent mobile services. We are focused on improving customer experience by adopting the latest technologies and pushing the boundaries of innovation."

Mr Nicholas Seow, Head of Ericsson Singapore and Brunei, said: "We are pleased to be able to support a trailblazer like SingTel in its ambitions to continue to lead the way in its market. With our groundbreaking solutions, we are committed to enabling SingTel to provide world-class mobile services and seize opportunities for growth."

300Mbps mobile broadband service with LTE-Advanced

SingTel is working closely with Ericsson to upgrade its Singapore 4G network to LTE-Advanced later this year. This will enable SingTel to boost the maximum data speeds of its 4G service to 300Mbps. This is double the speed currently offered. 

With this upgrade, customers will enjoy an unrivalled experience for video, music, games and other multimedia content on-the-move, as well as web surfing and communications.

LTE-Advanced enables the aggregation of multiple mobile spectrum bands, delivering higher data speeds, greater spectral efficiency, and an increase in system capacity.  Network performance on the cell edge will also be greatly improved, providing mobile users with better coverage and experience.

Improved video streaming with LTE Broadcast technology

To enhance the experience for the large number of Singapore consumers who use their mobile devices to view videos, SingTel will undertake a trial of LTE Broadcast technology in the second half of the year.

Based on Ericsson's Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS) solution, LTE Broadcast will enable a virtually unlimited number of mobile users in densely populated areas to stream high quality live broadcast videos simultaneously to their mobile devices. The solution makes the most efficient use of mobile frequency spectrum and network resources.

In addition, the technology will greatly enhance the video viewing experience at live events with capabilities such as access to multiple camera angles, feeds and statistics in real-time.

Enhanced indoor coverage with Ericsson Radio Dot System technology

To address the challenges of ensuring high quality mobile voice and data services within buildings, SingTel will undertake a trial of Ericsson Radio Dot System solution in the second half of the year.

The Ericsson Radio Dot System enables operators to deliver high-performance coverage and capacity in any size or type of building. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with SingTel's LTE and 3G networks to deliver a consistent user experience and ensure that indoor and outdoor networks evolve in unison.

Using cost-effective and ultra-compact radio antenna equipment, the solution extends 4G and 3G coverage to hard-to-reach areas in offices and apartments where mobile signals are blocked by walls and partitions.

The solution will complement SingTel's recent roll-out of Small Cells[1] solution in locations such as underground basements and car parks where conventional base stations and radio network equipment cannot be installed.

Ericsson Radio Dot System is compact and offers flexible mounting. It introduces a revolutionary antenna element, or "dot," which delivers mobile broadband access to users. Because of its convenient size, scalability, and compelling evolution path, this product caters to different kinds of users in medium to large indoor locations, and aims to address operators' needs of offering a complete indoor solution.

Dots are connected and powered via standard internet LAN cables (Category 5/6/7) to indoor radio units that link to a base station. Ericsson Radio Dot System leverages the same industry-leading features found in Ericsson's macro base station. Deployments and upgrades are simple, addressing growing capacity and coverage requirements. Thus the users' experience is consistent wherever they go and the indoor network evolves in lockstep with the outdoor network. Ericsson Radio Dot System supports integration with Ericsson's carrier Wi-Fi portfolio enabling features such as real-time traffic steering to ensure the best user experience across both Wi-Fi and 3GPP networks.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About SingTel

SingTel is Asia's leading communications group providing a portfolio of services including voice and data solutions over fixed, wireless and Internet platforms as well as infocomm technology and pay TV. The Group has presence in Asia and Africa with over 500 million mobile customers in 25 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. It also has a vast network of offices throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. More information can be found at www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au. 

About Ericsson

Ericsson Mobile World Congress Media Kit

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson is a world-leading provider of communications technology and services. We are enabling the Networked Society with efficient real-time solutions that allow us all to study, work and live our lives more freely, in sustainable societies around the world.

Our offering comprises services, software and infrastructure within Information and Communications Technology for telecom operators and other industries. Today 40 percent of the world's mobile traffic goes through Ericsson networks and we support customers' networks servicing more than 2.5 billion subscribers. 

We are more than 110,000 people working with customers in more than 180 countries. Founded in 1876, Ericsson is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2013 the company's net sales were SEK 227.4 billion (USD 34.9 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm and NASDAQ, New York stock exchanges.

www.ericsson.com 
www.ericsson.com/news
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress
www.facebook.com/ericsson
www.youtube.com/ericsson

[1] http://info.singtel.com/about-us/news-releases/singtel-boosts-mobile-data-speeds-and-network-capacity-crowded-locations

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Ericsson Corporate Communications
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

SingTel Corporate Communications
Dylan Tan
Phone: +65 6838 8772
E-mail: dylantan@singtel.com

SingTel, LTE Advanced, LTE Broadcast and Ericsson Radio Dot http://hugin.info/1061/R/1763973/597951.pdf

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