Telcos should beef up security investments, build new use cases for 5G: Josephine Teo

TELCOS here must actively build their cybersecurity capabilities to win trust from users and international partners, as they roll out 5G networks.

Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo made this point on Monday, while reiterating "the regulatory priority on security and resilience" and urging the industry to develop innovative use cases for 5G.

Calling on the industry to enhance security investments, Mrs Teo said such capabilities will not only build trust and confidence for 5G users, but could also "provide telcos with strategic openings into overseas markets, allowing our telcos to break new frontiers".

She added: "Digital infrastructure must be secure. Consumers and businesses must have confidence that our 5G networks are resilient. It is important to uphold Singapore's reputation as a trusted player, here and abroad."

Mrs Teo also noted that the 5G rollout must be accompanied by practical applications.

"5G infrastructure itself cannot deliver magic without actual use cases being developed, tested and scaled up. This is where we need partnerships between the government, telcos, the industry, and our research institutions," she said, citing trials on the remote control of cranes at Singapore's ports, as well as parcel delivery by robots.

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Mrs Teo was speaking at mainboard-listed Singtel's announcement of new 5G use case and the expansion of its 5G network coverage to new locations islandwide.

Singtel has billed 5G as a pillar of its ongoing strategic transformation, with group chief executive Yuen Kuan Moon telling the virtual event that "one of the ways to stimulate new growth is to reinvigorate our core business with 5G".

"Not only will 5G give a boost to the digital adoption we've seen, it will spur unprecedented innovation to unlock immense value for both enterprises and consumers," he said.

Bringing 5G technology together with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) "will make connectivity intelligent, and this will in turn drive new business models and value propositions", Mr Yuen added.

The telco on Monday unveiled new tie-ups for its 5G standalone network, such as a hybrid work plan with Samsung and teleconferencing platform Zoom, and 5G-enabled displays and performances at the National Gallery Singapore and Esplanade.

Singtel also added neighbourhoods such as Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Sembawang and Tampines, as well as more shopping centres, to the areas that can access its 5G network so far. Singtel has now achieved standalone 5G across half of the island, with coverage rising to two-thirds when non-standalone 5G is included.

Said Mrs Teo: "Our 5G networks are an investment in digital infrastructure to support more innovations and add vibrancy to our digital ecosystem."