How 5G Standalone is transforming telco revenue in APAC

• 5G standalone networks enable differentiated connectivity services that are now generating revenue for operators across Asia-Pacific, with Singapore leading commercial deployment at scale
• Today, one in three Singaporeans is willing to pay for assured network performance as operators shift from competing on data volume to selling guaranteed quality of experience

For years, mobile operators competed primarily on one thing: how much data they could offer for the lowest price. But that game is changing. A new wave of differentiated connectivity services is emerging that sells something fundamentally different—guaranteed performance when and where it matters most—and telecom operators are already making real money from it.

According to Ericsson’s November 2025 Mobility Reportthis shift is already happening at scale: 65 network slicing-based services worldwide have transitioned from pilot projects to commercial offerings, with Singapore emerging as a leading market where differentiated connectivity is generating real revenue through tiered service packages.

“This year, the industry has taken big steps in deploying the 5G standalone architecture needed to support differentiated connectivity services,” the report states. “The number of communications service providers deploying 5G SA has increased globally, and we’ve seen many go from proofs-of-concept to commercial offers based on 5G network slicing.”

Singapore’s first-mover advantage in performance-based services

Singapore’s position as the first country globally to achieve 95% nationwide 5G SA coverage in 2022 has enabled Singtel to develop and commercialise what the report describes as a mature three-tier connectivity offering that addresses distinct customer needs.

The operator’s 5G+ structure includes an entry-level package providing reliable nationwide coverage, a mid-tier “Enhanced” option delivering up to two-times faster speeds in congested situations through network slicing, and a top-tier “Priority” service offering up to four-times faster speeds with dedicated customer support.

These improvements are underpinned by significant infrastructure upgrades. When Singtel achieved nationwide 5G low-band (700 MHz) coverage in 2025, the deployment resulted in up to 40% increased signal strength in high-rise indoor and underground spaces—addressing what Ericsson ConsumerLab research identified as the second most important factor impacting overall network satisfaction among Singapore’s 5G users.

“The top priority was to shift the conversation from data quantity to data differentiation, and to make enhanced experiences the new currency, where experience becomes the main measure of value,” according to the Singtel case studyfeatured in the report.

Consumer research from 2025 shows that one in three users in Singapore are willing to pay for assured network performance, with 8% interested in hourly connectivity boosts activated at critical moments and 25% interested in monthly subscriptions offering enhanced connectivity performance.

Early results from performance-based plans show high satisfaction levels. At a recent Lady Gaga concert, 32% of frequent concert attendees using Singtel’s 5G+ Priority service reported superior network experience compared to past events, with users able to send messages and upload videos to social media without interruption.

Regional momentum builds across Asia-Pacific

Singapore’s experience reflects broader momentum across the Asia-Pacific region as operators deploy 5G SA capabilities and develop commercial offerings based on differentiated connectivity.

Ericsson’s study of over 300 service providers across 134 markets found that Asia-Pacific accounts for 36% of all commercial network slicing offerings globally.The region is expected to represent 50% of global Fixed Wireless Access connections by 2031 as adoption accelerates across populous markets.

In Southeast Asia and Oceania, operators have launched experience-led differentiated connectivity offerings, including boost packs and network slices for both consumers and enterprises. Malaysia’s operators now offer network slicing capabilities for 5G consumers, while Australia is rolling out service-level agreement-backed 5G for mission-critical enterprise workloads.

Thailand’s operators report 10-15% ARPU uplift among 5G users as the technology becomes a significant driver of data consumption. Vietnam’s government is accelerating deployment through targeted subsidies and spectrum reforms, aiming for 90% population coverage in 2025.

The report notes that 5G has become especially significant for FWA services across the region. In high-growth markets, operators are leveraging FWA to drive revenue expansion—Smart Philippines reported a 12% year-on-year increase in 5G FWA connections, with FWA revenues emerging as the fastest-growing segment, posting 22% year-on-year growth.

From pilots to commercial scale: Industry-wide transition

The transition from pilot projects to commercial services represents a significant inflexion point for the industry. Out of 79 service providers with commercially deployed 5G SA globally, Ericsson documented 118 cases of network slicing being used for some type of differentiated connectivity offering, with 55% now commercially available.

“The findings point to a market transitioning from proof-of-concept trials to commercial services that serve real customers in diverse contexts,” the report states. “This shift has been driven by advances in network capabilities and greater confidence among service providers, with an increasing willingness to explore new monetisation models beyond traditional data and speed tiers.”

Europe accounts for 45% of all network slicing-related activities globally, including trials and commercial offerings, although a proportionally higher number of these remain in testing phases compared to the Asia-Pacific and North America regions.

Commercial applications span both consumer and enterprise segments. In the B2C sphere, application- or situation-focused services, such as video conferencing, gaming, event-specific packages, and premium FWA subscriptions, make up approximately 55% of all offerings.

In the B2B area, vertical markets like public safety, transport and logistics, defence and general enterprise use cases dominate.

Addressing the monetisation challenge

One recurring challenge identified by operators, particularly in the consumer market, is communicating the value of differentiated connectivity in terms that resonate with customers accustomed to traditional data-volume-based offerings.

“Selling ‘more gigabytes’ or ‘faster speeds’ is familiar territory—but telling the story of latency guarantees for gamers, uninterrupted HD streaming at live events, or priority service for emergency communications requires a more benefits-led approach,” the report notes.

Ericsson’s research shows customers respond more strongly when offers are tied clearly to personal experience, specific applications or situational needs. Speed, bandwidth and general performance improvements are highlighted as user benefits in 86% of cases based on network slicing, but operators are increasingly emphasising latency (48% of cases) and improved experiences when using specific services or apps (38% of cases).

Marketing innovations are proving effective: one service provider utilising a direct in-app promotional strategy generated 95% of sales for a specific package through this channel, making it 20 times more efficient than any other distribution method.

Twenty-two commercial cases now express some form of performance guarantee—including maximum latency for gamers, minimum bandwidth for FWA or video conferencing, or assured connectivity for businesses purchasing network slices as part of mobile private network solutions.

Looking ahead: Building on early success

As the industry enters what Ericsson describes as a “next wave of mobile,” the experiences of early-mover markets like Singapore provide valuable lessons for operators globally.

“The challenge may no longer be whether these services can be launched, but how best to communicate their unique benefits to users, transforming technical capabilities into experiences and outcomes that customers truly value and are willing to purchase,” the report concludes.

With 400 million additional people worldwide gaining 5G coverage during 2025 alone, bringing total global coverage outside China to 50% of the population, the infrastructure foundation for differentiated connectivity continues to expand rapidly.

For enterprises and operators across Asia-Pacific, the transition from volume-based to experience-based connectivity models is no longer a future possibility—it’s a commercial reality that’s already reshaping competitive dynamics and creating new revenue streams in markets willing to move beyond traditional approaches to mobile service delivery.

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