StarHub is conducting South East Asia’s first live 5G non-standalone (NSA) network trial across Singapore.

Nokia, the 5G technology partner of the mobile operator, said the trial 5G network, by leveraging existing 4G infrastructure, will allow StarHub to provide higher data bandwidth and reliable connectivity to its subscribers without a major infrastructure overhaul.

The network utilizes Nokia’s end-to-end core and radio solutions, enabling the efficient use of spectrum to deliver 5G services.

Spectrum re-farming was implemented in 900MHz and 2100MHz for LTE anchor layer and 5G operation, respectively.

Nokia NetAct is a central network management system with a proven track record covering StarHub’s multiple networks and technologies, such as 3G, 4G/LTE and now 5G, to reduce manual processes and enhance network quality.

Nokia AirScale baseband was modernized to evolve StarHub’s network, deliver high-quality connectivity and coverage.

The 5G NSA network will enable StarHub customers to enjoy early benefits of 5G, with enhanced coverage and performance to improve user experience at major residential and commercial hubs of Singapore.

StarHub will progressively expand the 5G NSA network coverage and expects it to reach 70 percent by September 2020.

StarHub recently selected Nokia as a 5G technology partner for deploying mmWave solution and 5G Standalone (SA) Core network.

Chong Siew Loong, chief technology officer of StarHub, said: “We chose Nokia’s Single RAN portfolio as it brings new capabilities, improved network efficiency and end user experience to help evolve quickly and easily towards 5G NSA.”

StarHub said its Capex payments were S$37.4 million in 2Q2020 and S$72.4 million in 1H2020, representing 8.2 percent and 7.5 percent of total revenue respectively. Capex were S$33.5 million lower in 2Q2020 and S$43.8 million lower in 1H2020 due to decrease in purchase of PPE.

StarHub’s revenue dropped 18 percent to S$453.4 million in Q2 and fell 16.5 percent to S$959.6 million in H1.