Singtel (Singapore Telecommunications Limited) on 22 Feb 2022 launched Paragon, a revolutionary platform that enables enterprises to tap into Singtel’s 5G network to activate network slices on demand, deploy mission-critical applications on Singtel MEC (multi-access edge compute) as well as access a robust ecosystem of partner applications, offering them unparalleled control and choices. The platform also empowers enterprises to securely deploy applications in a hybrid fashion across the edge at Singtel MEC and a public cloud of their choice.

Paragon platform will facilitate the seamless progression of cutting-edge 5G dependent technologies in healthcare, medical education, pharma supply chain and MecTech solution involving robotic operations, remote surgeries, AR/VR/MR applications, precision warehouse operations and more. The platform can integrate with enterprise partners and allied service providers to revolutionise the futuristic 5G trends in the state-of-the-art arenas at healthcare, R&D, manufacturing, drone delivery of medicines, and caregiving to name a few. The venture will improve connectivity at healthcare services while reducing the cost tagged to high latency services.

Developed in-house, Paragon is the industry’s first all-in-one orchestration platform for 5G edge computing and cloud services. It significantly reduces the complexity and time needed to adopt 5G MEC and low latency applications and services – lowering the barriers to entry for enterprises, enabling faster deployment of use cases while removing considerable operational and cost overheads.

“Many enterprises are undergoing rapid digitalisation while exploring and developing tailored 5G solutions for deployment in their industries. We understand the challenges and complexities that they face in managing the various networks, edge cloud applications and services with the required cyber security, resiliency and demanding service assurances required, cost-effectively. Paragon was conceived, developed and delivered to help enterprises meet these needs through a single platform,” said Mr Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer, Group Enterprise, Singtel. 

“We are pleased to already witness exciting and successful trials being conducted on Paragon and invite partners in 5G-related fields, from chipset manufacturers, Internet-of-Things devices, apps and software developers, content producers, systems integrators and solution providers, to join us, as we scale this platform regionally and globally with other telecommunication leaders to benefit customers in a 5G world.”

One-stop digital acceleration platform for enterprises, including Healthcare and MedTech sectors  

Without an all-in-one solution like Paragon, enterprises have to juggle multiple tools to manage their network connectivity, cloud and application lifecycle at the edge. Paragon empowers enterprises to interact with the 5G network and deploy their edge computing applications and services on Singtel’s infrastructure independently, securely and within minutes. This shortens their innovation curve and improves time-to-market as well as reduces costs. Enterprises can also access a wide range of solutions from Singtel's partners to deliver their 5G use cases.

Compared to the current 4G and public cloud-enabled edge computing solutions, Paragon provides a huge improvement in latency with much higher bandwidth throughput from Singtel’s 5G network. This means better performance and faster decision-making at the edge where the data resides, critical for use cases like autonomous systems like robotics, drones and vehicles, immersive, video-rich experiences and powerful real-time edge AI use cases. 

Building a strong 5G MEC eco-system

Singtel’s 5G eco-system partners play a key role in delivering the overall solution built on the Paragon platform. Through the Paragon Marketplace, which operates like an app store, Singtel's partners can integrate their offerings through a robust industry-standard application programming interface (API) to rapidly build and deploy their solutions on Paragon. Some of these solutions already available include real-time fleet management, mixed reality and metaverse-based simulations, smart warehouse management, among others.

As Singtel scales Paragon across the region with a number of telecommunication leaders, partners in Singtel's 5G eco-system will have access to multiple markets based on their solutions they have built on the Paragon platform. Singtel Partner Programme will develop solutions across industries, validation of the solutions, from the commercial structure and go-to-market support on Singtel’s 5G platform, and finally onboard the applications into the Paragon Marketplace.

Image Caption: 

Paragon platform launch event, Singtel, Singapore

(Left) Mr. Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer, Group Enterprise, Singtel

(Right) Mr. Manoj Kumar, Head, Technology, 5G Product Architect & Development, Singtel