Singtel Signs Five-Year Ericsson Deal to Scale 5G Advanced and AI-Native Networks

Singtel and Ericsson have signed a five-year strategic partnership to scale 5G Advanced and AI-native network capabilities across Singapore, extending a collaboration first announced seven months ago. The deal sets a longer roadmap for advanced connectivity in sectors where network performance directly affects efficiency, productivity and safety.

The commercial core of the agreement is concrete. Singtel will extend network slicing and programmable connectivity to support AI-driven applications such as autonomous vehicles, industrial robotics, smart manufacturing and intelligent logistics. These applications demand dedicated capacity, low latency and consistent performance so machines, sensors and AI systems can respond in real time.

Singtel Singapore CEO Ng Tian Chong framed the deal around demand growth. "Our priority is to make these capabilities more widely accessible and commercially viable, while continuing to strengthen the reliability, security and performance of our network," Ng said. He added that the partnership ensures Singapore's connectivity infrastructure evolves alongside the needs of people and businesses in the AI era.

Where will the deployments land?

The two companies named specific infrastructure targets. They will pursue opportunities in major projects including Changi Airport Terminal 5, Bulim Square and the latest developments by JTC, Singapore's industrial infrastructure agency. Candidate applications include autonomous mobility, intelligent inspection systems, real-time video analytics and remote monitoring.

One deployment is already live and sets the template. PSA Singapore uses a network slice from Singtel's 5G network to track shipments in real time and streamline crane operations at Tuas Port. The port operator also runs secure, private networks on the slice, tailored to its own security requirements. For operators watching enterprise 5G monetization, this is the reference case the partnership intends to replicate.

What has the partnership delivered so far?

On the consumer side, the two companies have upgraded Singtel's 5G+ network with technology that enables peak uplink speeds of up to 250 Mbit/s on compatible, newer devices. That figure matters for live streaming, remote monitoring and AI-powered video analytics, all of which are uplink-heavy workloads that traditional mobile networks handle poorly. Under the new agreement, Singtel and Ericsson will push uplink speeds higher and explore on-demand options that let subscribers buy more network performance when required.

The AI operations story has numbers behind it too. A live network trial of AI-powered radio access network capabilities demonstrated a 19% improvement in throughput. That is a measured result from a working network, not a lab claim, and it indicates how AI can optimize resources as traffic demands rise.

Over the next five years, the partners plan to apply AI and machine learning to predict traffic patterns, optimize resource use and detect performance issues earlier. Greater automation across radio and core networks should improve operational efficiency, cut energy consumption and strengthen service assurance for Singtel.

What does the vendor say?

Ericsson's leadership tied the deal to Singapore's digital agenda. "By combining 5G, 5G Advanced, and AI-native operational capabilities, we are scaling programmable, differentiated connectivity to support Singapore's digital ambitions, unlock new opportunities for critical industries and enhance everyday digital experiences," said Daniel Ode, head of Ericsson Singapore, Brunei and Philippines and Global Customer Unit Singtel.

Practitioners should read the announcement as two distinct tracks. The first is commercial: named enterprise venues, an operating port slice and a consumer uplink upgrade at 250 Mbit/s. The second is aspirational: AI-native operations, on-demand performance tiers and broader automation, where the 19% throughput gain from the RAN trial is the current hard evidence. The five-year term gives both tracks room to mature, with Changi Terminal 5 and JTC developments as the near-term milestones to watch.