SingTel to launch month-long free trial of 3G services

Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) yesterday unveiled plans to launch a month-long free trial of its third generation (3G) mobile network ahead of the commercial rollout next year.

Feedback from the trial, which involves at least 100 SingTel mobile users, will be used to help the firm prepare for the launch of 3G services, SingTel said.

"SingTel will seek their feedback in helping us to enhance the 3G services that we will be rolling out commercially early next year," said SingTel vice president for consumer products Hui Weng Cheong.

Hui said it was difficult to predict whether 3G phone services, which promise enhanced mobile phone functions such as picture messaging and fast Internet access, would take off in Singapore, and hoped the trial would provide valuable feedback on ways to make the service a success.

"I can't tell for sure whether 3G will be a success but as a leading mobile operator in Singapore, I think it's part and parcel of our business to actually offer 3G," Hui said.

At least 100 SingTel mobile users will take part in the trial which is slated to take place at the end of December.

The trial participants will be given free use of three 3G services -- namely video calls, high speed Internet access and video streaming.