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Circles.Life is stepping into 5G with Circles.Life 5G Start, introducing a free one-month trial that lets Circles.Life members access 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) technology. This move marks Circles.Life as the first digital telco in Singapore to offer 5G NSA access directly to customers without any cost, commitment, or limitations during the trial period. The initiative is designed to let users experience the early benefits of 5G by leveraging existing 4G infrastructure, while Circles.Life continues to work toward a future 5G Standalone (SA) service that promises enhanced network performance once launched. The broader intent is to empower customers to explore how 5G can transform their daily connectivity, applications, and digital lifestyle, with clarity on what the immediate offering entails and how it evolves into a paid add-on after the trial.

About Circles.Life 5G Start

Circles.Life 5G Start operates on a Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA) and is accessible as a trial for both new and existing Circles.Life customers who possess compatible devices. During this initial phase, the service is provided at no charge, enabling rapid access to 5G speeds and capabilities without any binding obligations. After the free trial period ends, Circles.Life 5G Start will transition into a paid add-on service, available to subscribers who want to continue enjoying 5G benefits beyond the trial window. The underlying technology for Circles.Life 5G NSA uses the country’s existing 4G network infrastructure to deliver significantly faster mobile internet speeds, offering an early glimpse of 5G performance while the more advanced Standalone (SA) network is being developed and rolled out. This strategic approach balances immediate user experience with longer-term network evolution.

The coverage plan for Circles.Life 5G NSA focuses on key population areas within Singapore, ensuring that a substantial portion of the urban and densely populated regions can access the initial 5G benefits. The primary objective is to help users understand and feel the advantages of 5G, particularly in terms of download and upload speeds, improved latency, and the overall responsiveness of mobile services when compared to standard 4G. By delivering these benefits early, Circles.Life aims to accelerate user familiarity with 5G technologies and to create consumer demand for enhanced network experiences as the 5G ecosystem expands. The timeline communicated for the trial indicates that existing Circles.Life customers could begin accessing 5G during the week starting 17 August, with the free trial concluding on 16 September 2021. Beyond the trial, the 5G NSA trial is anticipated to end by 31 December 2021, after which the company would progress toward its 5G Standalone (SA) service to deliver greater network performance to its 5G users as the technology matures.

From 9 to 15 August, Circles.Life invited both new and existing customers to sign up for 5G Start through the Circles.Life app, highlighting zero contracts, no commitments, and a flexible, open access model. The free trial was designed to remove barriers to entry, enabling users to explore the practical implications of 5G in their daily routines—from streaming and downloading to real-time communications—without upfront costs. Following the trial, Circles.Life 5G Start would become a paid add-on service for customers who wish to maintain 5G access, ensuring a smooth transition from experimentation to continued usage within Circles.Life’s broader service suite.

Key features and rationale

Circles.Life has framed 5G Start around transparency and simplicity, aiming to give customers a direct and unobstructed experience of a 5G network without financial risk or lock-ins. Because NSA relies on the existing 4G core network, users can observe faster data speeds and lower latency in everyday tasks, such as video streaming, large file transfers, gaming, and real-time communication. The emphasis on a no-cost, no-commitment model is intended to demonstrate the benefits of 5G early and to empower customers to decide whether to upgrade to the paid 5G Start add-on after the trial period ends. This approach aligns with Circles.Life’s broader mission to redefine the customer experience by eliminating unnecessary friction and by enabling more flexible, user-centered telecom options.

In addition to the speed and performance considerations, Circles.Life’s 5G Start positioning emphasizes a frictionless sign-up experience and the ability for customers to tailor their plans through the company’s digital channels. The emphasis on immediate access means users can explore high-definition content, rapid downloads, and low-latency communications with minimal barriers to entry. While this NSA-based trial provides a glimpse into 5G’s potential, it also serves as a stepping stone toward the company’s longer-term 5G strategy, which includes the planned rollout of a 5G Standalone network designed to deliver even greater network performance and reliability once fully deployed.

Sign-up window, access, and user experience

Circles.Life announced that between 9 and 15 August, both new and existing customers could register for the 5G Start program via the Circles.Life app. The registration window was designed to be straightforward and accessible, with the core promise of “no contract, no commitment, and no limit” on sign-ups. The lack of contractual constraints was a deliberate choice to encourage broad participation and to allow customers to test the 5G experience in a real-world setting.

During the trial, users could expect a seamless 5G NSA experience on compatible devices, benefiting from faster download and upload performance, smoother streaming, and improved real-time communication. The trial’s design emphasizes an uninterrupted user journey—customers could adopt, test, and eventually decide whether to continue with Circles.Life 5G Start as a paid add-on after the free period. The emphasis on “no limit” to sign-ups also suggests an open invitation for a wide range of customers to participate, regardless of how many people might want to try the 5G Start service during the trial window.

Trial duration and transition to paid service

The one-month 5G Start free trial is structured to end on 16 September 2021 for the initial users who joined during the trial window. After this period, Circles.Life 5G Start is expected to become a paid add-on, allowing customers to continue enjoying the advantages of 5G NSA if they choose to remain on the program. The trial’s end date on 31 December 2021 creates a clear horizon for how long Circles.Life intended to offer NSA access under this promotional model before finalizing the broader rollout plans for 5G SA. This transition period reflects a common industry approach where early adopters experience new network capabilities before a formal, paid expansion is introduced.

The company’s communications highlighted that the 5G Start initiative is designed to be a transparent trial with no conditions attached to sign-ups and no commitments during the free period. This approach is consistent with Circles.Life’s broader positioning as a customer-centric digital telco, offering flexible and frictionless options for users who want to explore cutting-edge connectivity without upfront obligations. The end of the trial period would then bring a straightforward, paid-path option for those who wish to continue benefiting from 5G Start features, coupled with Circles.Life’s ongoing ecosystem of digital services and customer support.

Press release highlights and strategic positioning

The official press release framed Circles.Life 5G Start as a mainstream breakthrough, marking Circles.Life as the first digital telco to introduce 5G non-standalone architecture to Singapore. The press release underscored that users could access 5G for a full month free of charge, with no conditions, no commitments, and no limit on sign-ups. The absence of restrictions in the sign-up process was presented as a differentiating factor, allowing more consumers to experience 5G without barriers and to assess how the technology could impact their daily digital activities.

The release stressed that Circles.Life was delivering both transparency and simplicity: customers could experience 5G directly, without cost or lock-ins, across all Circles.Life customers with compatible devices. This emphasis on an unencumbered 5G trial aligns with Circles.Life’s broader mission to democratize access to digital services and to empower consumers to decide how they want to engage with 5G. The press materials suggested that the 5G Start initiative would be followed by a paid add-on service after the end of the free trial, thereby providing continuity for users who wish to retain 5G access beyond the promotional period.

Key quotes from leadership reinforced the strategic intent behind 5G Start. Janice Chua, Circles.Life’s Head of Growth for Singapore, highlighted that Circles.Life has consistently redefined Singapore’s telco landscape since its inception and that the 5G Start launch would give consumers ownership over how they experience 5G. She framed the offering as a way to empower users to access 5G in a manner that aligns with their preferences and needs, leveraging Circles.Life’s digital ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of 5G in Singapore and to catalyze innovation and connectivity within the nation’s Smart Nation agenda. Rameez Ansar, Circles.Life’s co-founder, emphasized the company’s focus on removing friction for customers by delivering a simple, cost-free, and commitment-free 5G experience, encouraging faster connections to people and devices that matter most to users.

Practical benefits and customer-centric approach

The “unlimited flexibility, unlimited enjoyment” framing of the 5G Start program highlights several practical benefits for users. First, the absence of a binding contract means customers can explore 5G capabilities without being tied to a long-term commitment. This flexibility is particularly appealing to early adopters who want to evaluate performance across a range of scenarios, including streaming high-definition content, rapid file transfers, online gaming, video conferencing, and other data-intensive activities. The free trial model also positions 5G Start as a learning experience for users who want to gauge how 5G can improve everyday tasks and support new digital habits.

Circles.Life’s emphasis on instantaneous plan customization within its app, along with responsive Customer Happiness Expert support and transparent billing, further reinforces the customer-centric nature of the offering. The ability to tailor plans, obtain prompt assistance, and receive clear, itemized billing aligns with Circles.Life’s broader brand promise of putting customers at the center of the telecom experience. The same-day SIM card delivery feature adds a tangible convenience layer, enabling customers to activate and begin using 5GStart services quickly and with minimal friction.

Additional context and expectations

By positioning 5G Start as the first step toward a broader 5G strategy, Circles.Life signals its intention to evolve with the technology landscape. The trial’s NSA foundation serves as a bridge between 4G-based connectivity and the eventual rollout of a full 5G Standalone network. As the 5G Start program progresses, the company’s focus on performance improvements, cost transparency, and user-friendly experiences may inform future product developments, pricing structures, and service bundles in Circles.Life’s digital telco portfolio. The broader Singapore market, characterized by rapid digital adoption and an active push toward Smart Nation initiatives, provides a contextual backdrop for Circles.Life’s push to accelerate 5G adoption through a customer-first mindset and a scalable, technology-driven approach.

Leadership perspectives and strategic intent

Circles.Life’s leadership articulated a clear vision for how the 5G Start initiative aligns with the company’s mission to redefine the telco experience in Singapore. Janice Chua, as Head of Growth for Singapore, framed the launch as a reaffirmation of Circles.Life’s history of challenging the status quo and introducing customer-focused innovations. She highlighted the company’s confidence that 5G Start would move the needle for 5G adoption in Singapore and would catalyze broader innovation and connectivity across the country’s digital landscape. This sentiment echoes Circles.Life’s broader identity as a digital-native telco that prioritizes speed, agility, and customer empowerment.

Rameez Ansar, Circles.Life’s co-founder, spoke to the broader implications of 5G Start for the competitive dynamics of Singapore’s telecom sector. He suggested that the initiative would compel competitors to reassess how they deliver 5G and create value for their user bases. This perspective positions 5G Start not only as a customer offer but also as a strategic move aimed at shaping the market’s expectations of what a digital telco can deliver in terms of transparency, accessibility, and user-centric design. Collectively, the leadership statements emphasize a forward-looking stance, with Circles.Life aiming to set new benchmarks for how 5G experiences are delivered and perceived by consumers in Singapore.

Customer experience, execution, and service design

Circles.Life’s 5G Start emphasizes a customer-centric service design that blends product simplicity with digital-first convenience. The ability to initiate a 5G experience without contracts, commitments, or sign-up barriers aligns with the company’s broader ethos of removing friction from telecom services. The trial’s structure facilitates practical, hands-on evaluation of 5G capabilities in real-life contexts, enabling customers to observe performance differences in everyday activities, from streaming to multiplayer gaming and real-time communication tasks. The focus on a seamless app-based sign-up flow, coupled with immediate customer support and a transparent billing model, helps maintain trust and ease of use—critical factors for a digital telco seeking to differentiate itself in a competitive market.

The in-app customization features, combined with a proactive customer support framework via “Customer Happiness Experts,” enable personalized assistance and responsive problem resolution. Customers can expect timely guidance on feature usage, network behavior, and plan adjustments, as well as clear information on charges and billing cycles. The same-day SIM delivery option adds a tangible, practical value that reduces waiting times for activation and helps customers quickly experience the 5G benefits in their daily routines. All of these components contribute to a cohesive experience in which customers perceive value, simplicity, and reliability in Circles.Life’s 5G Start offering.

Market positioning and consumer awareness

By packaging 5G Start as a transparent, no-cost, no-commitment trial, Circles.Life aims to lower barriers to 5G exploration among a broad audience, including existing customers and potential new users. The emphasis on early access to 5G NSA, followed by a straightforward transition to a paid add-on, reduces perceived risk while maintaining a clear pathway to continued service. This approach aligns with digital-first branding, where customers are invited to experiment with new technology and make informed decisions about ongoing usage based on personal experience rather than marketing claims alone.

In the Singapore context, Circles.Life’s announcement of 5G Start also intersects with the broader industry trend toward rapid 5G deployment and network modernization. With the country pursuing its Smart Nation objectives and strengthening digital infrastructure, Circles.Life’s early NSA offering could help shape user expectations about 5G’s practical benefits, while the eventual shift to 5G SA may unlock more advanced capabilities that require a mature, fully integrated network architecture. The company’s communication underscores a balance between immediate customer value and longer-term network innovation, reinforcing its role as a digital disruptor in Singapore’s telecom landscape.

Circles.Life: Background, growth, and market position

Founded in Singapore in 2016, Circles.Life has established itself as Singapore’s fourth telco and the nation’s pioneering digital telco. Since its inception, the company has prioritized giving power back to the customer through personalized digital services and a differentiated approach to product development and service delivery. Its technology stack is designed to support a highly flexible, fully digital customer journey, enabling a frictionless experience across the entire lifecycle—from sign-up and activation to plan changes and support interactions.

Circles.Life has grown to hold a meaningful share of Singapore’s mobile subscriber market, surpassing 5% and becoming one of the country’s fastest-growing telcos. The company’s workforce exceeds 400 employees, with a multi-country footprint that includes Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Australia. Circles.Life’s expansion strategy included entering its first overseas market in Taiwan in June 2019, followed by Australia in September 2019, signaling an intent to translate its digital telco model beyond Singapore’s borders.

The company’s business model emphasizes a combination of proprietary technology, data-driven decision-making, and a customer-centric philosophy that aims to redefine how mobile telecom services are delivered. This includes a focus on flexible digital experiences, direct-to-consumer engagement, and rapid innovation, all of which underpin Circles.Life’s ability to respond to evolving network technologies and consumer expectations. The narrative around Circles.Life positions it as a forward-looking player in Singapore’s telecom sector, seeking to drive competition, improve customer value, and accelerate the adoption of new network capabilities.

Industry context and ecosystem

Circles.Life’s emergence as a prominent digital telco in Singapore has paralleled broader shifts in the telecom ecosystem, including the rise of customer-centric digital services, the acceleration of 5G pilots and trials, and the ongoing modernization of network infrastructure. In this environment, Circles.Life’s 5G Start program serves as a strategic signal of the company’s willingness to experiment with new models for offering higher-speed connectivity, while maintaining a clear path toward monetization through a paid add-on after the trial period. The emphasis on a simple customer journey, transparent pricing, and flexible digital interactions aligns with industry trends toward user empowerment, data-driven service personalization, and streamlined support processes.

Circles.Life’s growth trajectory, including its rapid expansion into international markets, highlights the company’s capacity to scale a digital telco model while maintaining a focus on customer experience. The organization’s approach to product development—anchored by a proprietary tech stack and aim for fully digital interactions—positions Circles.Life as a notable disruptor within Singapore’s telecom landscape. The 5G Start initiative can be viewed as part of a broader strategy to demonstrate the company’s capabilities in delivering value-added connectivity experiences, while also testing customer appetite for more advanced 5G services as the network infrastructure evolves toward SA deployments.

Conclusion

Circles.Life’s 5G Start initiative marks a pivotal step in Singapore’s 5G journey, offering customers a transparent, no-cost entry point into 5G NSA while aligning with Circles.Life’s broader digital telco vision. By leveraging existing 4G infrastructure to deliver faster speeds and lower latency, the program provides a practical, hands-on way for users to assess the early benefits of 5G. The one-month free trial, followed by a paid add-on, creates a clear pathway for continued access to 5G while enabling Circles.Life to refine its offering based on user feedback and evolving network capabilities. Leadership statements emphasize a customer-centric ethos and a commitment to innovation, with the aim of driving broader 5G adoption and transforming how Singaporeans experience mobile connectivity. Circles.Life’s deepening emphasis on transparency, simplicity, and flexible digital service delivery reinforces its mission to empower customers and to redefine what a modern telco can be.

As Circles.Life advances toward a 5G Standalone solution, the company’s trial program serves as a meaningful foundation for understanding how 5G can reshape communications, entertainment, and daily digital interactions for a broad range of users. The initiative also signals a broader industry trajectory toward more accessible, user-driven 5G experiences, underpinned by a digital-first business model that prioritizes customer empowerment, rapid iteration, and a clear value proposition in a competitive market. The Circles.Life 5G Start program thus stands not only as a promotion but as a strategic platform for showcasing the practical benefits of 5G and for informing how Singapore’s digital telco landscape will evolve in the years ahead.

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