MyRepublic to start mobile network trial in October at Jurong East

Broadband service provider MyRepublic has announced that it will be starting an eight-week trial of its new mobile network service on October 22, in the Jurong East area.

This brings the young company one step closer to becoming Singapore's fourth telco, joining the ranks of Singtel, StarHub and M1.

Up to 500 participants will be selected to test the network, which will cover a limited area bound by Jurong Town Hall Road and Jurong Gateway Road.

The area covers shopping malls such as JCube, and public facilities such as Jurong Regional Library. It also includes Jurong East MRT station and Jurong East Bus Interchange.

Participants will be given a smartphone to perform a series of tasks, such as uploading photos to social media, and making voice calls.

Interested parties can register at my4thtelco.sg, and registration for the trial closes on September 8.

With this trial, MyRepublic will be road-testing their small cell mobile network technology.

While traditional mobile coverage relies on big base stations to send out a signal, small cell technology relies on a series of compact units that can be deployed in tight spaces, such as inside vehicles, lifts and along narrow corridors.

Should MyRepublic succeed in becoming a fully-fledged telco, the company is promising free local data for a year to all its broadband customers who sign up before September 30, and remain a broadband subscriber until the launch of its upcoming mobile service.

lting@sph.com.sg

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