Could not make it for this event as it is held during office hours, but nevertheless, I want to see how LTE can take mobile network to the next level. With the increasing number of smartphone users in the market, the demand for faster bandwidth and speed for mobile data transfer have also increased. I hope they do eventually trial the LTE in the MRT as I can’t even get a proper 3G signal in the MRT (blue and red line).

Press Release:

First showcase in the region of concurrent next-generation multimedia applications over a single LTE device, SingTel’s 42Mbps network ready from second half of this year

Singapore, 16 March 2010 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) today unveiled their LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology trial showcase at SingTel’s headquarters, Comcentre. The showcase in Singapore is the first among SingTel Group’s regional LTE trials that aims to better understand the field experience of LTE.

SingTel is also the first in the region to successfully power on air the 42Mbps mobile broadband network at the showcase. Even though the 42Mbps network will be available in the second half of the year, SingTel, together with Ericsson, is already featuring even higher speed technology with LTE – supporting very high speed mobile download and upload on the move. Powered by the latest LTE technology, mobile devices can even support multiple high-bandwidth mobile applications. This is not possible with current mobile broadband speeds.

The objective of the LTE trial is to demonstrate the network capability to industry players like application developers, content providers and game producers so that they can start thinking of breakthrough products and services.
SingTel and Ericsson are showcasing a myriad of next-generation, interactive multimedia applications on the move, such as 3D virtual mapping, voice over LTE, high definition (HD) multiplayer online gaming as well as ‘live’ images with augmented reality, which is an engaging way of superimposing digital information or objects onto ‘live’ images.

Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Executive Vice President of Consumer, SingTel, said: “This trial gives a glimpse into what the future can offer our customers in the mobile broadband space. We are excited by the breakthrough applications that will be supported on an ultra high-speed and robust mobile network that is able to satisfy consumers’ growing appetite for bandwidth.
“LTE technology will further enrich our customers’ multimedia mobile lifestyle and experience, offering them access to a wide range of 3D and HD services concurrently. SingTel is working closely with our pool of mobile applications developers to turn ideas that work on the latest technology into reality.”

Mr Fadi Pharaon, President and Country Manager, Ericsson Singapore & Brunei, said: “Today’s demonstration is one clear example of how LTE enables richer lifestyle for consumers and businesses alike. Ericsson is proud to be part of this exciting showcase and we will continue to use our leading technology and services to support SingTel in offering even higher quality services and more extensive applications to their customers.”
SingTel’s mobile broadband network will be upgraded progressively over the next 12 – 24 months to be LTE-ready. Commercial deployment is slated to take place in phases, subject to the availability of frequency spectrum and commercial LTE mobile devices.

Business users can also look forward to machine-to-machine (M2M) applications and rich multimedia applications in the cloud. With cloud computing, businesses can use LTE and central remote servers to store rich multimedia data and applications, giving individual users on-the-move constant access to their data as well as business applications without installing them on their devices. Businesses will achieve more efficiencies and cost savings by centralising storage, processing and bandwidth.

Examples of new high-speed mobile broadband applications

1) 3D content and HD video viewing
With the increased mobile bandwidth and connection speeds, users can make use of real-time services such as traffic monitoring applications to view ‘live’ street, traffic or weather conditions of Singapore roads in HD on LTE-enabled devices. Drivers can use such tools to plan their next destination or simply navigate their way around town using a 3D Location Based Services (LBS) map.

Students can also learn on the move by accessing HD videos and sharing information like real-time recording of lectures through video hyper linking.

2) Augmented Reality
By combining ultra high-speed mobile broadband, users can make use of ‘Augmented Reality’ to view additional information on places and things of interest. For instance, users can simply point at a landmark with any mobile device, and information, digital images or links will be displayed on the mobile gadget.

Introduction
Be the first to get your hands on the Nokia N900 and get a free Nokia Extra Power DC-11, worth SGD156, when you pre-order. Customers also qualify for the ‘Sure Win Dip’ upon service activation. To pre-order go online and visit www.nokia.com.sg/n900/preorder via your PC or www.nokia.mobi/n900/preorder on your mobile from 13 to 26 March 2010.

The Nokia N900 is priced at SGD 999. Collection of your pre-ordered Nokia N900 can be made on 27 and 28 March 2010 from Nokia Stores at the following locations: ION Orchard, Parkway Paradise S.C., Century Square S.C., Funan DigitalLife Mall, Causeway Point S.C., Suntec City Mall and Jurong Point S.C.

As an additional incentive exclusive to pre-order customers, Nokia is offering training sessions to demonstrate the Nokia N900’s key features and ensure that Nokia enthusiasts get the most out of their device. Pre-order customers can drop by the Nokia Store @ ION Orchard for the training sessions. They are held on Saturday and Sunday on the following dates and time slots:

Date: 27, 28 March 2010 & 3, 4 and 10, 11 April 2010

Time: 1pm to 2pm, 2.30pm to 3.30pm and 4pm to 5pm

To learn more about your Nokia N900, book your place for one of these sessions by contacting our Hotline (9899 7715) between 9am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday.

About the N900

The Nokia N900 has evolved from Nokia’s previous generation of Internet Tablets and broadens the choice for technology enthusiasts who appreciate the ability to multitask and browse the internet like they would on their desktop computer.

Running on the new Maemo 5 software, the Nokia N900 empowers users to have dozens of application windows open and running simultaneously while taking full advantage of the cellular features, touch screen and QWERTY keyboard. Designed for computer-grade performance in a compact size, Maemo complements Nokia’s other software platforms, such as Symbian, which powers Nokia’s smartphones.

The Nokia N900 packs a powerful ARM Cortex-A8 processor, up to 1GB of application memory and OpenGL ES 2.0 graphics acceleration. The result is PC-like multitasking, allowing many applications to run simultaneously. Switching between applications is simple, as all running content is constantly available through the dashboard. The panoramic homescreen can be fully personalized with favorite shortcuts, widgets and applications.

To make web browsing more enjoyable, the Nokia N900 features a high-resolution WVGA touch screen and fast internet connectivity with 10/2 HSPA and WLAN. Thanks to the browser powered by Mozilla technology, websites look the way they would on any computer. Online videos and interactive applications are vivid with full Adobe Flash(TM) 9.4 support. Maemo software updates happen automatically over the internet.

Messaging on the N900 is easy and convenient thanks to the full physical slide-out QWERTY keyboard. Setting up email happens with only a few touches and the Nokia Messaging service mobilizes up to 10 personal email accounts. Text message or IM exchanges with friends are shown in one view and all conversations are organized as separate windows.

The Nokia N900 has 32GB of storage, which is expandable up to 48GB via a microSD card. For photography, the Maemo software and the N900 come with a new tag cloud user interface that will help users get the most out of the 5MP camera and Carl Zeiss optics.

The Nokia N900 goes on sale at selected Nokia Stores from 27 March 2010 with a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of SGD 999.

Summary

• The Nokia N900 is available for pre-order in Singapore from now till 26 March 2010.
• To pre-order online, customers can visit: www.nokia.com.sg/n900/preorder.
• The Nokia N900 will go on general sale from 27 March 2010.
• The RRP of the Nokia N900 is SGD$999.