What makes a smart city? Some may think of futuristic scenes like flying cars, massive screens or gleaming skyscrapers, but it is what lies underneath that makes or breaks this dream.
Speedy and stable connectivity serves as the backbone for growth, innovation and collaboration. Emerging technologies will rely on a robust and reliable connectivity infrastructure, which enables businesses, start-ups, researchers and professionals to communicate and collaborate.
Businesses already demand this today for their data-driven technologies and cloud computing needs. High-speed and low-latency connectivity is crucial for efficient data transfer and the use of cloud services. These drive the development of applications, services and solutions necessary to propel businesses forward.
To this end, StarHub CC3 aims to be a “regional smart city service provider”. According to Tan Kit Yong, head of StarHub’s Enterprise Business Group, the company is forming the “backbone of hybrid multi-cloud architecture” to create the digital infrastructure for Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative.
As a regional smart city service provider, StarHub enables a unified network architecture, adds Tan. The company is combining 4G/5G mobile networks, Wi-Fi networks, fibre networks, data centre networks and subsystems networks, which enables Internet of Things (IoT) technology into a single network.
According to Tan, this allows the government, enterprises and citizens to share data seamlessly — and more. “There will be new use cases, new actionable insights that can be delivered with new architecture for the smart nation.”
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Smart city testbeds
This is not just a pipe dream — StarHub announced in February 2022 a two-year collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to incorporate StarHub Enterprise’s 5G and IoT solutions into the university’s smart campus innovations.
As Singapore’s first 100% solar-powered campus Wi-Fi, the network comprises StarHub Enterprise’s 5G standalone units that are mobile, re-deployable and does not require any underground cable to be installed, enabling a faster and greener deployment.
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Enabled by StarHub Enterprise’s integrated IoT platform service, the joint effort allows NUS to manage campus facilities more efficiently, says Tan, thanks to live data drawn from a network of sensors.
StarHub Enterprise’s solar-powered 5G units enable Wi-Fi at the NUS campus
In an era where massive amounts of data are generated and available daily, data can help customers better understand their business, shape strategies and make better-informed decisions, says Tan. “By analysing data, enterprises can identify patterns and trends that can help them optimise processes, streamline operations, reduce costs and identify new business opportunities for product or service development.”
Another “microcosm” of the envisaged smart city will open progressively from 2024. StarHub Enterprise is building a smart, safe and sustainable intelligent network solution infrastructure in Punggol Digital District (PDD), where people can work smart, learn innovatively and play intelligently.
As Singapore’s first smart and sustainable business district, the upcoming 50-hectare PDD by JTC will be home to the likes of United Overseas Bank U11 ’s (UOB) global technology and innovation centre and Singapore Institute of Technology’s (SIT) new campus.
StarHub will build in PDD an intelligent, software-defined network integrated with 5G and network automation for data centre, campus and sub-systems network. This is differentiated with location-based analytics and network telemetry for a digital twin for simulation and visualisation, while the network operations and maintenance will be automated with AI operations.
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“PDD will be a microcosm of a smart city with innovations in cybersecurity, smart living and estate management,” says Tan, “making the district a great place for setting up a regional IT hub, and for people to live, work and play in.”
5G in civil defence
Singapore’s appetite for faster and more reliable networks will only grow, and this will prove crucial in terms of crisis.
In September 2023, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), StarHub and IBM announced a new 5G project to enhance the operational readiness of SCDF frontliners.
The project aims to automate SCDF’s equipment inspection process and facilitate remote assistance using smart glasses, AI and augmented reality (AR) technologies.
StarHub partners with SCDF and other agencies to automate equipment inspection processes
By wearing 5G-connected smart glasses, firefighters can execute AI-powered visual inspection to scan through the equipment to identify any missing, wrong or damaged items and report findings through voice-activated commands, saving time during equipment inspections. Data from the inspections will flow into a centralised dashboard to capture defects and provide status updates of equipment in real-time.
SCDF also stands to benefit from the ultra-low latency and high bandwidth of standalone 5G. During a post-fire investigation, the technology allows commanders on the ground to have live access to fire investigation specialists through real-time video interactions to assist in thorough scene processing and analysis.
The two-year project, underpinned by 5G technology, will be test-bedded in SCDF’s Smart Fire Station, located within Punggol Fire Station, on its latest-generation fire emergency vehicles.
5G is “very relevant” for emergency response situations, says Tan. “The use of AI requires high bandwidth. In addition, because it is a mission-critical event, it requires low latency as well. Finally, because this is a public service, when we transmit the data between 5G to the command centre, it needs to be secure. So, these are the three important aspects of using 5G, which fulfil these criteria.”
Cloud is crucial
According to Tan, more multinational corporations (MNCs) are also turning to hybrid and multi-cloud solutions to store, process and manage vast amounts of data efficiently. “StarHub Enterprise Cloud Connect solution provides MNCs a scalable and secure direct pathway to world-leading cloud service providers, giving them the needed performance, reliability, security and flexibility to accelerate cloud access and drive digital transformation.”
In January 2023, StarHub unveiled its Cloud Infinity transformation, to boost the delivery, scalability and performance of StarHub services while reducing operating costs. It involves building the world’s first multi-cloud architecture network.
Touted as the first brown field of its kind worldwide, Cloud Infinity is a low-latency, hybrid multi-cloud architecture network designed and engineered by StarHub. This concept is often associated with advancements in artificial intelligence operations (AIOps) and automation technologies. The goal is to enhance efficiency, optimise performance and reduce the need for constant human oversight.
The company has collaborated with leading cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud and NAVER, as well as Nokia, to jointly develop cloud, communication and entertainment services.
According to StarHub, this allows it to launch “rich digital applications” that could be hosted in edge data centres — smaller data centres located closer to end users — so they can enjoy faster services. Cloud Infinity can support smart campuses, smart factories and be used by the likes of the healthcare and hospitality sectors, all of which are vital in building a smart city. It is network agnostic, making it highly flexible for use with 5G, fixed (IP optical or enterprise network), Wi-Fi, LAN, data centre and IoT devices.
Cloud Infinity lays the groundwork for StarHub to deliver an endless continuum of Infinity Play services, which include connectivity, over-the-top (OTT) streaming entertainment, cloud gaming and digital solutions.
It could one day drive “Metaverse-like services”, says StarHub, offering next-generation digital features such as augmented reality and holographic overlays.
StarHub also plans to launch Cloud-X, a secure, cloud-brokerage marketplace where government agencies and private enterprises can select their preferred cloud model, custom-built to deliver security and data access that meets strict requirements on data privacy and control.
In an increasingly competitive global market, technology is the key driver of growth and innovation, says Tan. “[MNCs] need to be open to embracing emerging and new technologies by acquiring expertise or engaging a technology partner with the know-how and solutions.”
Taking the technology route is the way ahead as the world becomes more digitalised, Tan adds. “It’s a journey of discovery of more innovations and business opportunities to empower smart cities.”
Photos: StarHub
