Years after the first 5G networks were rolled out here in Singapore, many consumers still wonder if they need the faster network for their e-mails, videos and social media, because 4G seems quite fine.
And despite early promise from demos, many businesses have not rushed into deploying 5G in their factories or offices. Now, there is talk of 6G near the horizon.
Though it hasn’t grabbed the headlines, 5G has brought improvements that often seem transparent to users, says Daniel Ode, head of Ericsson Singapore, Philippines & Brunei.
For example, telecom operators can more efficiently deliver the bandwidth, supporting users in unique situations like concerts or during National Day, without issue, he notes.
Still, he acknowledges that “5G has rolled out quickly in terms of coverage and devices, but that doesn’t mean people are using its more advanced features yet.”
The challenge is selling 5G in a way that people can understand, he tells Techgoondu. “What matters is learning how people respond when performance, rather than data volume, becomes the thing they’re choosing.”
NOTE: Responses have been edited for style.
Q: It’s been more than four years since the first 5G Standalone (SA) network was rolled out in Singapore. What have been the biggest applications that have taken advantage of the key features of the mobile technology?
A: The earliest and clearest demonstrations of 5G SA in Singapore have been situational, appearing where operators offered and deployed network slicing to deliver tailored services for discrete needs.
At Ericsson, we call this “differentiated connectivity”. That means allocating distinct slices of the 5G core and RAN (radio access network) to provide tailored performance for particular users, devices, or services rather than treating all traffic the same.
Large events are a good example. At the Singapore Grand Prix, National Day events, and major concerts, network slicing has been used to manage short bursts of heavy traffic.
People expect to livestream, upload videos, and stay connected all at once, often in tight spaces. That’s where a normal mobile network tends to struggle, and where guaranteed performance starts to matter.
Cloud gaming is another area where the benefits are easier to see. With games like Honor of Kings delivered from the cloud, even minor delays affect playability. Using network slicing to prioritise gaming traffic helps keep latency predictable, thereby improving the user experience.
These cases highlight performance gains targeted at a particular situation, location, or moment – such as events or operational environments.
But as Singapore’s market dynamics mature, we are now able to see broader, everyday enhancements across the entire network arising from nationwide 5G SA coverage.
A lot of this only works because the basics are in place. The use of low-band spectrum, such as 700MHz, has improved indoor and underground coverage across Singapore.
That may not grab headlines, but without consistent coverage, more advanced 5G features are challenging to apply in real-world conditions.
Q:Features such as network slicing and low latency have been around since the launch of 5G SA. Why haven’t there been faster or larger adoptions, especially for, say, factories and other commercial deployments in the region?
A: In industrial environments, new connectivity doesn’t get adopted just because the technology is available. Factories, ports, and logistics hubs are complex systems, and the network is only one part of the equation.
Many enterprises already run on wired networks or on industrial Wi-Fi, which are stable and familiar. From their point of view, those systems often work well enough.
Moving to 5G means integration work, operational changes, and a clear business case. That takes time, and it should, because the risk profile is very different from that of rolling out a consumer service.
Where we are seeing momentum is in markets that deployed 5G SA early and at scale. Singapore is one of them. Projects like the work at Tuas Port show how 5G can support real operational needs, such as automated guided vehicles, asset tracking, and connectivity across large, open environments where cabling isn’t practical.
This also reflects a broader industry shift. We’re seeing fewer pilots for the sake of pilots and more focus on deployments that solve specific problems. The more challenging part now is less about the technology itself and more about integrating it into existing industrial workflows without adding risk.
Q: AI and robotics have been seen as possible drivers for real-time, low-latency 5G use cases. Are you seeing this in the region as well?
A: Yes, particularly in healthcare, where the tolerance for delay or instability is exceptionally low.
In Singapore, hospitals and research institutions have been working with industry partners to explore how 5G can support use cases such as remote clinical assistance, medical imaging, and robotics-enabled workflows.
These systems generate large amounts of data and, in some cases, depend on real-time feedback. When connectivity drops or fluctuates, it creates safety and operational concerns.
We see similar patterns overseas, especially around remote surgical assistance. In China, documented trials have shown that surgeons used 5G networks to control robotic systems over long distances, relying on high-definition video and stable, low-latency links.
In Japan, academic and industry initiatives have also tested 5G for remote guidance during surgical procedures. These are environments where unpredictable network behaviour isn’t acceptable.
More broadly, AI and robotics are changing how networks are used. Machines, sensors, and imaging systems send a steady stream of data back to the cloud, often with strict timing requirements.
That shift, especially the increase in uplink traffic, is already visible and will only become more pronounced as these systems move from trials into daily operations.
Q: We are starting to talk about 6G now. Do you think both consumers and business users have understood and fully tapped on 5G features yet?
A: 5G has rolled out quickly in terms of coverage and devices, but that doesn’t mean people are using its more advanced features yet. In most markets, SA capabilities remain uneven, and only a limited number of operators offer services beyond basic speed and data bundles.
Part of the issue is how connectivity is bought and sold. Most users, consumers, and businesses alike still think in terms of monthly data allowances.
Performance only becomes visible when something goes wrong, like at a packed concert or during a live broadcast. Until then, it’s hard to justify paying differently.
Some operators are testing ways around this by offering short-term or tiered options that provide or even guarantee higher performance when needed.
A few of these ideas will work, others won’t, and that’s normal. What matters is learning how people respond when performance, rather than data volume, becomes the thing they’re choosing.
And right here in Singapore, we have been seeing real progress from one of our partner operators, in terms of customer acceptance of understanding the rationale behind it, adoption, and paying for differentiated connectivity.
Their model is being closely watched globally, and I have no doubt that more operators around the world will be rolling out their own take on differentiated connectivity in the time to come.
So, while there’s plenty of discussion about 6G, the more immediate work is still with 5G. In markets that built SA networks early, there’s room to do more with what already exists before moving on to the next generation.
