Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) is testing 50Gbps XGS-PON fibre broadband in Singapore, a technology that allows far more data to be sent over existing fibre lines to homes and offices at much higher speeds.
The trial will assess how the network performs in increasingly data-intensive, multi-devices environments enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) in households and workplaces.
50Gbps XGS-PON is expected to support ultra-high-definition entertainment and immersive media. This includes 8K video today and future 12K formats, as well as high fidelity augmented reality, virtual reality (VR) and extended reality experiences.
It is also designed to improve cloud gaming and cloud-based personal computers. Higher speeds and lower delays would allow graphics-heavy applications from the cloud to run smoothly.
For home businesses and professionals, the network could support data-intensive tasks such as engineering simulations. It would also enable more secure and reliable connections for remote work.
Healthcare is another focus. Singtel says the technology could support telemedicine services that rely on stable, low-latency connections, including real-time medical imaging, VR-based physiotherapy and connected medical devices used at home.
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Within households, the faster connection is expected to support AI-driven smart homes. This includes real-time data processing across security cameras, internet-connected appliances and autonomous devices such as robot vacuums.
Singtel also views the trial as laying the foundation for future home networks. This includes next-generation Wi-Fi, denser networks of connected devices and emerging forms of AI-generated entertainment.
“Digital technologies are deeply embedded in everyday life in Singapore, supported by near-universal internet access, high device ownership, and widespread use of online communication and digital services across work, learning and entertainment. This next evolution in fibre broadband connectivity helps ensure that homes and businesses can continue to support increasingly immersive and AI-enabled digital experiences,” said Ng Tian Chong, chief executive officer of Singtel Singapore.
The trial aligns with Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint, which aims to strengthen and future-proof the nation’s digital infrastructure.
