Singtel and Ericsson will trial License Assisted Access (LAA), on Singtel’s network starting March 2016. The trial is part of the partners’ memorandum of understanding to study the future of 5G networks and its applications for both consumers and enterprises.

LAA is a mobile technology innovation that unlocks the unlicensed spectrum for LTE and enables data speed boosts by applying LTE efficiencies to boost licensed spectrum. It is an integral component of ongoing 5G studies for the use of higher frequency bands and licensed-unlicensed band aggregation to improve indoor app coverage for smartphone users.

Tay Soo Meng, Group Chief Technology Officer, Singtel, said: “By 2020, 5G will be here and we are committed to identifying ways to prepare our network for this new technology. The use of LAA to boost 4G speeds is an interesting concept which can provide faster and more effective LTE connections to our customers, especially in dense indoor environments. 

He added, “As part of our goal to be one of the first operators in the world to deploy 5G, Singtel is collaborating with Ericsson to trial network innovations. On our journey to 5G, we will be testing 5G concepts before they are standardised and commercially available.”

Sam Saba, Region Head, Ericsson South East Asia & Oceania, says: “Technologies such as LAA are one of the key steps towards 5G. The Singtel-Ericsson partnership aims to push the boundaries of innovation towards the road to 5G so as to ensure that consumers in Singapore are provided with the latest technologies that deliver the fastest and most consistent mobile services to meet their digital lifestyle needs. Ericsson is adding LAA to its indoor small cell portfolio, the Ericsson Radio Dot System and RBS 6402 Indoor Picocell.