How Singtel’s network transformation equals business transformation
Singtel’s Si Cheng Choon, Vice President of Technology, Strategy & Transformation talks to us about how Singtel's network transformation will help it to exploit the lucrative promise of 5G.
31 Oct 2019
How Singtel’s network transformation equals business transformation
At Digital Transformation Asia on Nov. 12, Singtel’s Si Cheng Choon, Vice President of Technology, Strategy & Transformation in the company’s Group Chief Technology Office, will participate in a panel discussion exploring how to build networks of the future. Si Cheng Choon leads implementation of Singtel’s digital transformation strategies and oversees the operations and engineering team for Singtel’s mobile wallet, Dash. We sat down with him to discuss how Singtel is transforming its networks.
What are Singtel’s strategies and principles for network transformation?
We seek to capture the new opportunities brought about by the digital economy and unlock the value of our 700 million mobile customer base, so our approach to network transformation is driven by the need to support our digital products and services as they scale and gain traction in the region [Singapore]. These include our digital marketing, mobile financial and video-on-demand services that leverage our strengths in connectivity.
We are also transforming our network to prepare for 5G and the increasing deployment of emerging technologies such as internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). We are focusing on:
A successful network transformation requires a shift in the way we work in three areas: platforms, people and processes.
Platforms – to move beyond the traditional connectivity play, networks must become more automated. Our platforms will have to enable crucial capabilities including service orchestration, real-time provisioning and exposure of network APIs.
People – more virtualized network infrastructure and hardware means we’ll need to equip our team with the necessary software skillsets and telco domain knowledge to operate and manage the network.
Processes – we practice Agile methodology, a fluid project management process in which we continuously upgrade our software and develop new solutions to meet the rapidly evolving demands on the network.
How will 5G drive network transformation at Singtel and in the industry?
5G promises to modernize and optimize networks by moving them closer to virtualization-based automation. This includes the use of network slicing, exposing network APIs and enabling a NaaS business model.
What challenges are you facing in your network transformation journey and adoption of 5G?
As 5G is still a relatively new and evolving technology, industry associations are establishing standards in the areas of ultra-low latency, network slicing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. There needs to be an ecosystem, which includes solutions and applications development, new policies and processes, and available devices – only then can we fully realize the benefits of 5G. We will also need to develop new ways of working to integrate 5G fully into our operations.
What technologies are crucial in developing future networks?
Emerging technologies such as service orchestration tools, virtualized network functions, software-defined networks, advanced data analytics, Kubernetes, hybrid cloud, and AI and machine learning form the bedrock of the network of the future, thus are critical in network transformation.
What kind of investments have you prioritized across the network?
As well as our commercial priorities, we support the Singaporean Government’s initiative to develop a 5G ecosystem in Singapore. We are constantly upgrading and digitalizing our network, combining our cross-industry expertise with emerging technologies to catalyze the digitalization across verticals. In early 2019, we opened 5G Garage, the nation’s first live 5G test facility, training center and ideation lab.
We also invest in upskilling our people with the latest digital skillsets to cultivate a 5G-ready workforce. To this end, we have launched several programs to build the digital capabilities of Singtel employees in the areas of AI, app creation and more.
How are you addressing cybersecurity to secure future networks?
Cybersecurity is a priority across the entire network including, hardware, software operating systems, application layers, and mobile devices and sensors connected via the internet of things. We adopt the best practices in the industry for securing our underlying infrastructure, adhering to guidelines and certifications by international standardization bodies such as ISO/IEC 27001. We also conduct periodic audit-based assessment or accreditation of security-related product development as part of the network or product lifecycle processes.
We seek to capture the new opportunities brought about by the digital economy and unlock the value of our 700 million mobile customer base, so our approach to network transformation is driven by the need to support our digital products and services as they scale and gain traction in the region [Singapore]. These include our digital marketing, mobile financial and video-on-demand services that leverage our strengths in connectivity.
We are also transforming our network to prepare for 5G and the increasing deployment of emerging technologies such as internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). We are focusing on:
- Advanced access – building a 5G radio access network (RAN) and fiber network
- Programmable transport – being software-defined and network-ready
- Scalable virtualised core – taking up network functions virtualization and the cloud
- Smart and automated network – introducing service orchestration, AI and machine learning
- Digital service enabler – exposing network application program interfaces (APIs), leveraging data and evolving towards a network-as-a-service (NaaS) model
A successful network transformation requires a shift in the way we work in three areas: platforms, people and processes.
Platforms – to move beyond the traditional connectivity play, networks must become more automated. Our platforms will have to enable crucial capabilities including service orchestration, real-time provisioning and exposure of network APIs.
People – more virtualized network infrastructure and hardware means we’ll need to equip our team with the necessary software skillsets and telco domain knowledge to operate and manage the network.
Processes – we practice Agile methodology, a fluid project management process in which we continuously upgrade our software and develop new solutions to meet the rapidly evolving demands on the network.
How will 5G drive network transformation at Singtel and in the industry?
5G promises to modernize and optimize networks by moving them closer to virtualization-based automation. This includes the use of network slicing, exposing network APIs and enabling a NaaS business model.
What challenges are you facing in your network transformation journey and adoption of 5G?
As 5G is still a relatively new and evolving technology, industry associations are establishing standards in the areas of ultra-low latency, network slicing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. There needs to be an ecosystem, which includes solutions and applications development, new policies and processes, and available devices – only then can we fully realize the benefits of 5G. We will also need to develop new ways of working to integrate 5G fully into our operations.
What technologies are crucial in developing future networks?
Emerging technologies such as service orchestration tools, virtualized network functions, software-defined networks, advanced data analytics, Kubernetes, hybrid cloud, and AI and machine learning form the bedrock of the network of the future, thus are critical in network transformation.
What kind of investments have you prioritized across the network?
As well as our commercial priorities, we support the Singaporean Government’s initiative to develop a 5G ecosystem in Singapore. We are constantly upgrading and digitalizing our network, combining our cross-industry expertise with emerging technologies to catalyze the digitalization across verticals. In early 2019, we opened 5G Garage, the nation’s first live 5G test facility, training center and ideation lab.
We also invest in upskilling our people with the latest digital skillsets to cultivate a 5G-ready workforce. To this end, we have launched several programs to build the digital capabilities of Singtel employees in the areas of AI, app creation and more.
How are you addressing cybersecurity to secure future networks?
Cybersecurity is a priority across the entire network including, hardware, software operating systems, application layers, and mobile devices and sensors connected via the internet of things. We adopt the best practices in the industry for securing our underlying infrastructure, adhering to guidelines and certifications by international standardization bodies such as ISO/IEC 27001. We also conduct periodic audit-based assessment or accreditation of security-related product development as part of the network or product lifecycle processes.
