Singapore Infotech 6G Wifi
Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) recently announced that they would allocate the lower segment of the 6GHz band (5,925MHz-6,425MHz) for 6GHz Wi-Fi use to support the deployment of the latest Wi-Fi 6E standard by the third quarter of 2023. Wi-Fi 6E equipment and devices will be commercially available at the same time.
This previously unused and unlicensed spectrum will support usage of wider Wi-Fi channels, which are 2-8 times wider than the current 20MHz to 80 MHz channel and provide an additional 500MHz spectrum. Allocation of this different spectrum allows faster transfer of data: the wider 160MHz channels double speeds to 9.6Gbps.
Roll out-of Wi-Fi 6E will ensure faster data transmission with lower latency, especially in dense indoor settings. As the number of interconnected devices increases, apps and robots become more sophisticated, there may be a slower user experience. Allocating more spectrum can alleviate that with data transmission through fiber, mobile, and Wi-Fi within buildings at the same or similar speed.
Wi-Fi 6E will be a game changer for enterprises that use machine learning and big data. It will allow customers with many concurrent bandwidth-intensive online activities, such as remote working, home-based learning, and entertainment, to have better connectivity at home via Wi-Fi. Wider channels will support autonomous robots for everything from collision avoidance to faster trash clean-ups, high-definition video monitoring, and augmented or virtual reality with more immersive online experiences involving multiple parties in areas such as education and workplace training.
SGD 70 million (USD 52 million) was given to the Future Communications Research and Development Programme to develop the Future Communications Connectivity (FCC) Lab (6G lab). This lab will research 6G R&D with AI and other future communications technologies, such as holographic communications and intelligent sensing capabilities, to support the next generation of self-driving cars, drones, etc. The new national blueprint supports 6GHz Wi-Fi through more subsea cables.
Fourteen Masters-level scholarships were given to local students to pursue research and translations in future communications technologies. Plans are in place to attract top-tier AI researchers based in Singapore to mentor and groom promising talent.
6G services are expected to be available by 2030 and promise speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G ones, with significantly less transmission lag.
For further information on the rapidly changing telecommunications regulatory landscape in Singapore or about how the U.S. Commercial Service can help connect you with business opportunities in the sector, please contact Commercial Specialist Amelia Yeo.