How cloud services enable a 5G-driven future

As high-speed cellular networks become mainstream in Southeast Asia, how cloud can enable telecom operators to make the most of 5G networks.

From revolutionizing public services to creating smarter buildings using digital twins, 5G connectivity opens many doors as part of a wave of digital transformation that countries like Singapore are fast catching up with.

In July 2022, Singapore-based telecommunications company Singtel announced that it had achieved more than 95% national 5G network coverage, three years ahead of its 2025 target. This makes the island nation the first country in the world to have standalone 5G coverage.

Other Southeast Asian countries are following suit. For example, Thailand will have 5G network coverage of 76% of its population by the end of this year, according to a report from global mobile operator association GSMA, while Vietnam is starting 5G trials on different speed bands.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed down 5G deployment, 5G deployment in Southeast Asia is progressing well. Let’s take a look at the opportunities and trends that 5G brings to Singapore and the region, and how cloud technology can help make the most of these networks.

Components of an end-to-end business solution

Unlike cloud-enabled solutions that are revamped and remarketed as cloud offerings, cloud-native solutions are designed specifically for the cloud. Cloud-native 5G networks can take full advantage of the interoperability of cloud computing models such as edge computing and massive IoT.

In Singapore, hundreds of sites are already connected to cloud-native 5G networks, and mobile penetration has been over 100% for some time. So, as one of the most connected cities in the world, the opportunity lies in novel business models and ways of working.

To realize the full potential of 5G and realize profitability, communications service providers (CSPs) must focus on the enterprise and government sectors. This involves shifting from viewing 5G as a technology solution to viewing it as an integral part of an end-to-end business solution.

This means that CSPs must first realize their own 5G potential. By establishing strategic partnerships, this will enable CSPs to position Singapore as a regional 5G and communications leader. For example, in 2021, Singtel partnered with 5G network provider Ericsson to accelerate 5G adoption and pilot 5G innovations in industries such as maritime, financial services and aerospace.

But to achieve this goal, three major gaps need to be addressed

The first is security, especially 5G networks and applications. A 2021 AT&T survey of 1,000 security practitioners around the world found that only 9% of respondents believed their security posture was ready for 5G.

The main security vulnerabilities of 5G networks lie in the legacy security issues from the transition from previous generation networks, as well as the risks and costs associated with configuring 5G equipment. Monitoring 5G networks with decentralized security also becomes more difficult as traditional security checkpoints based on centralized hardware are now replaced by a virtual cloud of software-defined digital routers.

Industry associations such as the GSMA have begun building a 5G cybersecurity knowledge base that is free for their members to use. This includes lessons learned from 4G network vulnerabilities, advice on how the industry can comply with security regulations, and how to protect systems connected to 5G networks.

The second is to ensure that business models, processes and data analytics are continually updated and refined. This will ensure that the organization takes full advantage of the new possibilities created by advances in the 5G space and beyond.

The final bridge to cross is the open communications industry. We need to move it from a closed ecosystem to an open ecosystem that enables all players to drive innovation in services around consumers.

5G’s ability to support massive machine-type communications makes it ideal for realizing all the game-changing technology visions we’ve been hearing about for years, such as the Internet of Things, virtual reality, and smart factories. As a regional leader in 5G and communications, Singapore will play a huge role in this transformation.