Singtel introduces 5G at unmanned retail popup

Singtel unveiled its first 5G use case with 5G Now@UNBOXED, its 24x7 unmanned popup retail store, on 9 September. The store gives consumers and retailers alike a taste of 5G and how it can transform and reshape the shopping experience.

Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said at the time of the announcement, “Having launched our 5G NSA network last week, we are keen to share the benefits of 5G and the opportunities it brings for the retail industry. What better way to demonstrate this than through our unmanned store now powered by a faster, more reliable network that enables seamless, personalised engagement with customers and new efficiencies for retailers.”

The deployment of 5G with its low latency and high speeds makes the modular store even more portable as it can be set up anywhere without having to lay fibre cables. In addition, Singtel’s customers will benefit from a more seamless and swifter service on its connected self-serve kiosks which allow SIM card replacements, prepaid card purchases, device collection and more while enhancing the store’s security system. 5G can also power the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), enabling real-time intelligent connectivity and analytics in-store. This allows communication between UNBOXED's roving smart robot ambassador Stanley and 5G virtual assistant Stella at the kiosks, creating a more personalised shopping experience for customers.

As a next-generation retail concept, this contactless service model shows how 5G can help retailers better adapt and reach their customers in a post-COVID new normal. Stanley is integrated with the store’s security system to detect customers who are running a temperature as well as to ensure customers adhere to safe distancing measures.

“COVID-19 has ushered in a new, digital way of life for many people, accelerating a fundamental shift in the retail industry toward a hybrid online and offline retail model. The deployment of 5G at our popup store is timely as its ultra-fast speeds and low latency will make the self-serve retail model even more compelling for a digitally-minded set of consumers. UNBOXED gives a glimpse into the richer experiences 5G can offer in combination with IoT, artificial intelligence or even augmented and virtual reality while providing customers with a pleasant and safe buying environment,” Yuen added.

Singtel also demonstrated speeds of more than 1 Gbps at UNBOXED, showing the significantly faster
speeds that customers will be able to enjoy on Singtel 5G. For instance, a two-hour high dynamic range (HDR) movie can be downloaded on a 5G connection in just 40 seconds.

Singtel also showcased how 5G can be deployed in other consumer use cases, one highlight being an interactive 3D reading experience through augmented reality, and high-performance 5G cloud gaming.

Singtel launched its 5G non-standalone (NSA) network and introduced a three-month trial for its consumer and enterprise customers on 1 September. As a forerunner of 5G, Singtel’s 5G NSA network is capable of delivering 5G speeds of more than 1 Gbpsby harnessing 3.5 GHz frequency from Singtel’s spectrum holdings as well as existing 2,100 MHz spectrum while employing advanced technologies such as dual connectivity.

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UNBOXED is currently located at Singtel Comcentre and will move to popular venues across the island in 2021, bringing the Singtel 5G experience to a wider audience. Customers can also choose to experience the showcase from the comfort of their home via a virtual tour on singtel.com/5G.