Every technology brought to us in this world is driven by curiosity.
With our inquisitive minds, SmarTone's powerful network bolsters 5G technology, making it possible to unleash our potential, and unlock our future together, without limits.
Every technology brought to us in this world is driven by curiosity. With our inquisitive minds, SmarTone's powerful network bolsters 5G technology, making it possible to unleash our potential, and unlock our future together, without limits.
SmarTone has been an acclaimed 5G trailblazer since January 2017, when it conducted Hong Kong’s first 5G technology demonstrations. In the same year, we also spearheaded a number of key technology advancements, including a trial of FDD massive MIMO, a critical technology for 5G deployment. In March 2019, SmarTone went even further by pioneering Hong Kong’s first 5G live field trial in both 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz bands simultaneously. This real-world trial was an important step in understanding the coverage characteristics of the two main 5G bands, including signal penetration capability and achievable speeds. The real-time data and user experience gained from these mobility tests are enabling SmarTone to create a robust and comprehensive 5G network.
In March 2019, SmarTone was allocated high-band (26GHz to 28GHz) spectrum for the provision of 5G services. The government will allocate the mid-band (3.5GHz) spectrum by auction, tentatively scheduled for the third quarter of 2019. According to our real test data, the 3.5GHz spectrum delivers stable signal transmission and reception, with good penetration and wide coverage, similar to that offered by current 4G networks. Meanwhile, the wide bandwidth of the 28GHz spectrum enables it to deliver extremely high download speeds. Its coverage, however, is not large, and the spectrum is easily disturbed by nearby cars, buildings and rain. That’s why the 3.5GHz spectrum is a better choice for providing full 5G coverage, while the 28GHz spectrum can be used for small cells in hot spots to further enhance 5G speeds. By making both segments of the spectrum work cooperatively, SmarTone will empower customers to enjoy the best 5G experience.
Ensuring the best mobile experience for our customers is always a top priority for SmarTone. Although 5G is now at the commercial stage, we will not rush to deploy 5G in Hong Kong. Only when the entire 5G ecosystem is ready—including spectrum, network infrastructure, mobile phones, smart devices, application services, and more—will we launch and vigorously promote 5G. This commitment to service excellence is what sets SmarTone apart. Customers can have confidence that we’ll continue working hard to always deliver Hong Kong’s leading 5G network experience, with comprehensive network coverage and caring services.
A comprehensive 5G service not only requires a new wireless network, it also depends on the latest technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, VR, AR and MR. When the ecosystem is ready, 5G will enable a richer entertainment experience and the delivery of innovative and revolutionary new services that will enhance the quality of life. By unleashing exciting new possibilities, 5G will make full digitalization across all industries more feasible. Since 2017, some of these cutting-edge developments have already been showcased at SmarTone’s Innovation Hub, Hong Kong’s first dedicated open ecosystem designed to drive cross-industry collaboration and propel Hong Kong on its smart city journey. The Innovation Hub aspires to provide a focal point for mobile and smart city innovation, and to inspire industry leaders to accelerate Hong Kong’s progress in digital transformation.
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Mastering 5G technologies SmarTone has been an acclaimed 5G trailblazer since January 2017, when it conducted Hong Kong’s first 5G technology demonstrations. In the same year, we also spearheaded a number of key technology advancements, including a trial of FDD massive MIMO, a critical technology for 5G deployment. In March 2019, SmarTone went even further by pioneering Hong Kong’s first 5G live field trial in both 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz bands simultaneously. This real-world trial was an important step in understanding the coverage characteristics of the two main 5G bands, including signal penetration capability and achievable speeds. The real-time data and user experience gained from these mobility tests are enabling SmarTone to create a robust and comprehensive 5G network. |
The strongest combination of 5G spectrum In March 2019, SmarTone was allocated high-band (26GHz to 28GHz) spectrum for the provision of 5G services. The government will allocate the mid-band (3.5GHz) spectrum by auction, tentatively scheduled for the third quarter of 2019. According to our real test data, the 3.5GHz spectrum delivers stable signal transmission and reception, with good penetration and wide coverage, similar to that offered by current 4G networks. Meanwhile, the wide bandwidth of the 28GHz spectrum enables it to deliver extremely high download speeds. Its coverage, however, is not large, and the spectrum is easily disturbed by nearby cars, buildings and rain. That’s why the 3.5GHz spectrum is a better choice for providing full 5G coverage, while the 28GHz spectrum can be used for small cells in hot spots to further enhance 5G speeds. By making both segments of the spectrum work cooperatively, SmarTone will empower customers to enjoy the best 5G experience. |
Pursuit of the best mobile experience Ensuring the best mobile experience for our customers is always a top priority for SmarTone. Although 5G is now at the commercial stage, we will not rush to deploy 5G in Hong Kong. Only when the entire 5G ecosystem is ready—including spectrum, network infrastructure, mobile phones, smart devices, application services, and more—will we launch and vigorously promote 5G. This commitment to service excellence is what sets SmarTone apart. Customers can have confidence that we’ll continue working hard to always deliver Hong Kong’s leading 5G network experience, with comprehensive network coverage and caring services. |
Developing unlimited 5G possibilities A comprehensive 5G service not only requires a new wireless network, it also depends on the latest technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, VR, AR and MR. When the ecosystem is ready, 5G will enable a richer entertainment experience and the delivery of innovative and revolutionary new services that will enhance the quality of life. By unleashing exciting new possibilities, 5G will make full digitalization across all industries more feasible. Since 2017, some of these cutting-edge developments have already been showcased at SmarTone’s Innovation Hub, Hong Kong’s first dedicated open ecosystem designed to drive cross-industry collaboration and propel Hong Kong on its smart city journey. The Innovation Hub aspires to provide a focal point for mobile and smart city innovation, and to inspire industry leaders to accelerate Hong Kong’s progress in digital transformation. |
Sandbox with Augmented Reality (AR) By positioning a sandbox under a light projector, different colours can be used to display the sand’s contours and elevations. The addition of a sensor over the sandbox detects real-time changes on the sand’s surface, such as when it’s moved with a shovel. Given the low latency of 5G, complemented by high-speed cloud computing, new colours are instantly displayed on the sand’s surface to indicate the changing topography. This application of 5G technology could potentially be used to monitor and forecast the behaviour of any dynamic environment, like sea levels or even the weather. |
Paper-Scissors-Stone Game As 5G has far superior latency than 4G, a robot playing paper-scissors-stone is able to respond much more quickly via a 5G network, even using the same AI technology. In the future, this could potentially resolve the latency problem associated with real-time online games. |
Model Car Race Despite using the same AI technology to control their movements, model cars connected to 5G show smoother performance than those connected to 4G. This is due to 5G’s much lower latency. In the future, when driverless cars and drones are common, the low latency of 5G will play an important role in keeping both passengers and vehicles safe. |
Signing Robot Arm Riding on 5G’s low latency, and making use of the latest AI technology, a robotic arm can simultaneously mimic the movement of a human arm to produce a signature. When this technology fully matures, it will be possible for precision surgery to be performed remotely using a 5G network, connecting surgeons to operating rooms anywhere in the world. |
Real-time Imaging with Mixed Reality (MR) 5G connectivity is 5-20 times faster than 4G, allowing real-time transmission of VR (virtual reality) images via a 5G network. When combining this with AR (augmented reality) technology, the end result is MR (mixed reality). MR has wide-ranging potential in many industries. For instance, it can be applied to the creation of 3D images of a building before construction starts, allowing the design to be fully visualized, and changes to be made more easily. As a result, both the design and the project’s overall efficiency can be optimized. |
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Sandbox with Augmented Reality (AR) By positioning a sandbox under a light projector, different colours can be used to display the sand’s contours and elevations. The addition of a sensor over the sandbox detects real-time changes on the sand’s surface, such as when it’s moved with a shovel. Given the low latency of 5G, complemented by high-speed cloud computing, new colours are instantly displayed on the sand’s surface to indicate the changing topography. This application of 5G technology could potentially be used to monitor and forecast the behaviour of any dynamic environment, like sea levels or even the weather. |
Paper-Scissors-Stone Game As 5G has far superior latency than 4G, a robot playing paper-scissors-stone is able to respond much more quickly via a 5G network, even using the same AI technology. In the future, this could potentially resolve the latency problem associated with real-time online games. |
Model Car Race Despite using the same AI technology to control their movements, model cars connected to 5G show smoother performance than those connected to 4G. This is due to 5G’s much lower latency. In the future, when driverless cars and drones are common, the low latency of 5G will play an important role in keeping both passengers and vehicles safe. |
Signing Robot Arm Riding on 5G’s low latency, and making use of the latest AI technology, a robotic arm can simultaneously mimic the movement of a human arm to produce a signature. When this technology fully matures, it will be possible for precision surgery to be performed remotely using a 5G network, connecting surgeons to operating rooms anywhere in the world. |
Real-time Imaging with Mixed Reality (MR) 5G connectivity is 5-20 times faster than 4G, allowing real-time transmission of VR (virtual reality) images via a 5G network. When combining this with AR (augmented reality) technology, the end result is MR (mixed reality). MR has wide-ranging potential in many industries. For instance, it can be applied to the creation of 3D images of a building before construction starts, allowing the design to be fully visualized, and changes to be made more easily. As a result, both the design and the project’s overall efficiency can be optimized. |
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5G's demand for transmission network will increase enormously. Fronthaul (path connecting to antenna transmitter) and Backhaul (path connecting to core network) of a 5G wireless network have more advanced requirements on capacity and latency, so both Fronthaul and Backhaul need to be replaced with optical fibre links.
A 5G Cloud-based Core Network, transformed a vast amount of dedicated hardware and functions into software functions which was built on a general-purpose high-capacity server. It can reduce a lot of dedicated hardware and save electricity, enabling innovative diversity for 5G services.
The first network in Hong Kong to use the latest 5G commercial standard smartphone to demonstrate a live 5G high-speed connection on 28GHz band using massive MIMO.
Launched Hong Kong's first live commercial License Assisted Access (LAA) network. Download speed was enhanced up to 1Gbps by aggregating licensed bands (900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz and 2600MHz) and an unlicensed band (5GHz which is used for public WiFi), together with 5CC carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO and 256 QAM technology. SmarTone was then the only live LAA network that supports iPhones.
The world's first operator tested Massive MIMO technology on 1800MHz to enhance the connection between base stations and user devices, effectively reducing energy consumption and boosting performance.
NB-IoT (Narrow Band – Internet of Things) was built to support a vast amount of IoT devices that consume low power and transmit small amounts of data, such as smart meters, sensors, etc, connecting to an IoT monitoring platform for further development on related systems and services.
Successfully conducted trial on Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) which enabled the network to aggregate licensed bands (900MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz & 2600MHz) and an unlicensed band (5GHz which is also used for public WiFi ), to further enhance download speeds.
Conducted Hong Kong's first demonstration of 5G technology, using a 5G base station, next-generation antenna and 5G test mobile device. These use case demos included "real-time cloud analytics" and "real-time remote control robotics via HD video".
What's new
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What's new
26 Mar 2019
SmarTone pioneers Hong Kong's first 5G live field trial in 3.5 GHz and 28 GHz bands simultaneously
FAQ
SmarTone always focuses on the customers' total mobile experience, which is influenced by not only the network speed, but also network stability and seamlessness.
Incorporated with the above factors, our 4.5G service delivers an excellent mobile experience to customers.
5G is approximately 5-20 times faster than 4G in terms of peak speed and has very low latency which is less than one millisecond. The high speed and real-time connectivity of 5G requires a quality network. As Hong Kong's leading mobile operator, SmarTone has successfully acquired a number of spectrum bands and conducted a series of technological trials for the development of 5G in Hong Kong. This aims to further enhance the speed, stability and seamlessness of mobile experience to customers when 5G network launches.
| 3G | 4G | 5G |
| 3rd Generation Wireless network | 4th Generation Wireless network | 5th Generation Wireless network |
| Designed for voice with some data consideration (multimedia, text, internet) First mobile broadband | Designed primarily for data True mobile broadband |
Designed primarily for massive IoT and enhanced mobile broadband |
| Availability | ||
| Year 2000 | Year 2010 | Year 2020 |
| Peak speed | ||
| 42Mbps | 1Gbps | 20Gbps |
| Latency | ||
| 30ms ~ 50ms | 10ms ~ 30ms | Down to 1ms or less |
| How long does it take to download an hour of 4K video? | ||
| 1 hour | 3-5 minute | Less than 10 seconds |
Our existing network covers 99% of Hong Kong's population. With thousands of base stations across the territory and 5 spectrum bands offered, SmarTone is providing extensive network coverage with high stability and seamless connectivity both indoors and outdoors.
We are the leading operator to provide excellent mobile experience along MTR lines, we have added a 2100MHz band, on top of the existing 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2600MHz bands for our 4.5G network, expanding the overall capacity and enhancing the user experience. The MTR Corporation had also appointed SmarTone to lead the management and implementation of an Integrated Radio System (IRS) for the Kwun Tong Line Extension and South Island Line (Eastern part).
SmarTone will continue to invest and improve 5G network infrastructure to extend the network coverage and provide superb mobile experience to customers.
SmarTone always focuses on the overall mobile experience of customers.
- Speed, Stability, Seamlessness: Catering for customers' needs, we always ensure a fast, stable and smooth mobile experience for customers.
- Network management system: We have set up an advanced network management system to monitor our network performance. By analysing advanced performance indicators, we could accurately grasp and predict network performance changes.
- QoE：Based on users' quality of experience (QoE), we are committed to bringing customers the most efficient network. And our customer-oriented service items such as Call Guard and ST Protect give customers a sense of security and caring, adding more value to our services.
Striving to lead technology development in Hong Kong, SmarTone constantly develops new network technology. We have conducted a series of technological trials for the development of 5G in Hong Kong and for better mobile experience to customers.
5G will bring many benefits and potentials to enrich our future lives
Fibre-like data speeds - 5G can deliver a peak download speed of 20Gbps, 20 times faster than the peak speed provided by 4G
Mass connectivity – the number of intelligent devices connected to 5G is over 100 times more than 4G
Low latency – data round trip delay is less than one millisecond
For example, the time to download a one-hour 4K video clip is 3-5 minutes with 4G but less than 10 seconds with 5G.
| 3G | 4G | 5G |
| 3rd Generation Wireless network | 4th Generation Wireless network | 5th Generation Wireless network |
| Designed for voice with some data consideration (multimedia, text, internet) First mobile broadband | Designed primarily for data True mobile broadband |
Designed primarily for massive IoT and enhanced mobile broadband |
| Availability | ||
| Year 2000 | Year 2010 | Year 2020 |
| Peak speed | ||
| 42Mbps | 1Gbps | 20Gbps |
| Latency | ||
| 30ms ~ 50ms | 10ms ~ 30ms | Down to 1ms or less |
| How long does it take to download an hour of 4K video? | ||
| 1 hour | 3-5 minute | Less than 10 seconds |
FAQ
SmarTone always focuses on the customers' total mobile experience, which is influenced by not only the network speed, but also network stability and seamlessness.
Incorporated with the above factors, our 4.5G service delivers an excellent mobile experience to customers.
5G is approximately 5-20 times faster than 4G in terms of peak speed and has very low latency which is less than one millisecond. The high speed and real-time connectivity of 5G requires a quality network. As Hong Kong's leading mobile operator, SmarTone has successfully acquired a number of spectrum bands and conducted a series of technological trials for the development of 5G in Hong Kong. This aims to further enhance the speed, stability and seamlessness of mobile experience to customers when 5G network launches.
| 3G | 4G | 5G |
| 3rd Generation Wireless network | 4th Generation Wireless network | 5th Generation Wireless network |
| Designed for voice with some data consideration (multimedia, text, internet) First mobile broadband | Designed primarily for data True mobile broadband | Designed primarily for massive IoT and enhanced mobile broadband |
| Availability | ||
| Year 2000 | Year 2010 | Year 2020 |
| Peak speed | ||
| 42Mbps | 1Gbps | 20Gbps |
| Latency | ||
| 30ms ~ 50ms | 10ms ~ 30ms | Down to 1ms or less |
| How long does it take to download an hour of 4K video? | ||
| 1 hour | 3-5 minute | Less than 10 seconds |
Our existing network covers 99% of Hong Kong's population. With thousands of base stations across the territory and 5 spectrum bands offered, SmarTone is providing extensive network coverage with high stability and seamless connectivity both indoors and outdoors.
We are the leading operator to provide excellent mobile experience along MTR lines, we have added a 2100MHz band, on top of the existing 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2600MHz bands for our 4.5G network, expanding the overall capacity and enhancing the user experience. The MTR Corporation had also appointed SmarTone to lead the management and implementation of an Integrated Radio System (IRS) for the Kwun Tong Line Extension and South Island Line (Eastern part).
SmarTone will continue to invest and improve 5G network infrastructure to extend the network coverage and provide superb mobile experience to customers.
SmarTone always focuses on the overall mobile experience of customers.
- Speed, Stability, Seamlessness: Catering for customers' needs, we always ensure a fast, stable and smooth mobile experience for customers.
- Network management system: We have set up an advanced network management system to monitor our network performance. By analysing advanced performance indicators, we could accurately grasp and predict network performance changes.
- QoE：Based on users' quality of experience (QoE), we are committed to bringing customers the most efficient network. And our customer-oriented service items such as Call Guard and ST Protect give customers a sense of security and caring, adding more value to our services.
Striving to lead technology development in Hong Kong, SmarTone constantly develops new network technology. We have conducted a series of technological trials for the development of 5G in Hong Kong and for better mobile experience to customers.
5G will bring many benefits and potentials to enrich our future lives.
Fibre-like data speeds - 5G can deliver a peak download speed of 20Gbps, 20 times faster than the peak speed provided by 4G
Mass connectivity – the number of intelligent devices connected to 5G is over 100 times more than 4G
Low latency – data round trip delay is less than one millisecond
For example, the time to download a one-hour 4K video clip is 3-5 minutes with 4G but less than 10 seconds with 5G.
| 3G | 4G | 5G |
| 3rd Generation Wireless network | 4th Generation Wireless network | 5th Generation Wireless network |
| Designed for voice with some data consideration (multimedia, text, internet) First mobile broadband | Designed primarily for data True mobile broadband | Designed primarily for massive IoT and enhanced mobile broadband |
| Availability | ||
| Year 2000 | Year 2010 | Year 2020 |
| Peak speed | ||
| 42Mbps | 1Gbps | 20Gbps |
| Latency | ||
| 30ms ~ 50ms | 10ms ~ 30ms | Down to 1ms or less |
| How long does it take to download an hour of 4K video? | ||
| 1 hour | 3-5 minute | Less than 10 seconds |
© 2019.All rights reserved.SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited.
© 2019.All rights reserved.SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited.
