Beneath the surface: the power of underground 5G

Deep underground, where signals once disappeared into silence, 5G is breathing life into spaces previously cut off from the digital world. From remote mines to urban subways, the rise of underground 5G is reshaping how we work, move, and build.

Explore how underground 5G is transforming industries like mining, public transport in places like Singapore and Japan, and large-scale construction projects across Asia and beyond.

Underground environments have long posed a challenge for connectivity. Thick layers of earth, concrete, and metal block traditional signals, making it difficult to maintain stable communications. Yet, in an age where data is power, the ability to transmit and receive information instantly, even underground, has become essential.

This is where 5G comes in. With ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and network slicing capabilities, 5G can support a range of applications simultaneously, from mission-critical control systems to real-time video analytics.

The economic benefits are significant:

Australia’s largest mine leverages 5G 

In a landmark move, Newmont’s Boddington—Australia’s largest gold mine—has deployed Ericsson Private 5G in its underground operations.¹ This marks the first underground deployment of its kind in the country, setting a new benchmark for the mining sector. With 5G, Boddington can now power advanced use cases like remote-controlled machinery, real-time transmission of sensor data, and high-definition video streaming from deep within the mine to surface-level command centres.

These capabilities enhance safety by reducing human exposure to dangerous environments, improve decision-making through instant data insights, and support sustainability by optimising energy use. Boddington is a glimpse into the future of sustainable, smart mining, and its implications go beyond extractives. As we explore next, the same technology is being adapted to reshape city infrastructure across Asia.

Across Asia, nations are embracing underground 5G to fuel innovation in public transport and smart cities.

Japan

In Japan, KDDI and Ericsson have successfully deployed subterranean antennas to establish the country’s first underground 5G base stations. These installations are designed to enhance connectivity in metro lines and underground malls.²

Indonesia

In Indonesia, Telkomsel collaborated with PT Freeport Indonesia to deploy Southeast Asia’s first 5G Underground Smart Mining solution. Telkomsel is also exploring 5G applications in manufacturing, partnering with the Ministry of Industry to support Industry 4.0 through the development of a national Digital Centre.³

South Korea

South Korea is using underground 5G to power high-density, data-heavy use cases in its subway systems, leveraging mmWave technology to offer ultra-fast speeds even during peak commute hours.⁴  These regional examples highlight the strategic significance of underground 5G beyond convenience–for national resilience, public safety, and digital innovation.

In 2023, Singtel showcased the power of its underground 5G+ with a first-of-its-kind live-streamed indie rock concert from an MRT train cabin⁶, demonstrating the network’s capacity for high-speed, uninterrupted media transmission underground.

Fast forward to 2024, Singtel’s 5G+ rollout across Singapore’s MRT system has turned daily commutes into seamless, high-tech journeys.⁵ Beyond entertainment, the real value lies in enhanced mobile coverage for commuters, real-time transit updates, and faster incident response coordination. High-resolution surveillance video can now be transmitted instantly, strengthening the network’s role in ensuring public safety.

Building on this momentum, Singtel has launched 5G+ in 2025, a next-generation evolution of the network that sets a new global benchmark in mobile connectivity. As the first in the world to achieve nationwide standalone 5G and now to deploy network slicing for all customers, Singtel is bringing enterprise-grade connectivity to everyday users. Integrated with the 700MHz spectrum, Singtel 5G+ delivers up to four times faster speeds, stronger indoor and underground coverage, and enhanced security enabled by security-as-a-slice, even while roaming with Enterprise Mobile Protect.

AI-driven construction management

5G’s ultra-reliable connectivity unlocks the full potential of AI in construction. In Indonesia, Telkomsel and Freeport have implemented Southeast Asia’s first 5G-powered underground smart mining operation. Through AI and IoT integration, they’ve improved real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, and operational safety.⁷ Similar principles are being applied in underground construction sites where AI algorithms can now process sensor and drone data on the fly, optimising workflows and reducing risks in complex environments.

Augmented reality for engineers underground

In the UK, Surespan has embraced AR headsets, eliminating the need for traditional VPNs and enabling secure, real-time data overlay for engineers underground.⁸ With hands-free access to schematics, safety data, and remote expert support, underground workers can now solve complex issues faster and improve project timelines. Adding 5G to the mix could further strengthen this setup by delivering faster, more reliable connectivity. 

Smart maintenance and autonomous inspection drones

Underground inspection is often dangerous, time-consuming, and expensive. But 5G is changing that. In Hong Kong, Hongkong Land has deployed a suite of 5G IoT solutions, including AI-powered safety systems and manhole antennas, to improve underground facility monitoring.⁹

Building the connected underground with Singtel

As the world’s cities grow more complex, the networks that support them must keep pace. Whether it's enabling live concerts from beneath the city or empowering AI-driven safety in tunnels, the potential is enormous. With a proven track record in delivering secure, robust networks, Singtel can help industries and cities unlock the full potential of Singtel 5G+ innovation beneath the surface.

Discover how you can build smarter, safer infrastructure with next-generation 5G solutions.