5G Innovation Moves from Lab to Real World: Inside FCTLab's 5G Translation Lab with CloudRAN.AI

The promise of 5G goes far beyond faster phone speeds. Ultra-reliable, low-latency connectivity can enable autonomous drones, smart robots, remote VR training, and more. But turning ideas into reality requires testing in realistic settings - bridging theory with practice. This is where 5G testbeds and “translation labs” come in.

Around the world, universities and industry consortia are building 5G sandboxes where new applications can be tried safely before wider deployment. These environments let engineers fine-tune prototypes on dedicated testbeds without the constraints of commercial systems.

It’s a necessary step: by the end of 2024 there were over 4,700 private LTE/5G networks operating globally (worth ~US$1.8B) as enterprises race to develop 5G use cases. The push is on to turn 5G’s hype into tangible value.

From Theory to Reality: The Rise of 5G “Translation Labs”

Traditional telecom research labs often focus on fundamentals and theory. Translation labs focus on applied innovation - translating new 5G capabilities into practical industry solutions. Instead of isolated experiments, these labs simulate real-world deployment scenarios in a controlled setting. The approach helps bridge the gap between what 5G can do in theory and how it performs for actual business use cases.

Singapore has been a leader in this applied approach. As part of a national future communications program, new facilities were set up specifically to accelerate industry adoption of 5G. For example, the Future Communications Translation Lab (FCTLab) was established in 2021 at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to “facilitate the innovation and technology translation of 5G and other future communication technologies.” In simple terms, it’s a place where companies and researchers can develop, test, and refine applications in a realistic testbed environment - moving from concept to prototype.

Unlike purely academic labs, the emphasis is on applied outcomes: enabling teams to prototype against real constraints and evaluate solutions that are closer to market readiness. These translation labs serve as open innovation hubs where academia, industry, and government collaborate to make 5G use cases work outside of slideware.

Inside the Future Communications Translation Lab (FCTLab)

The Future Communications Translation Lab (FCTLab) is a prime example of theory-to-practice in action. Backed by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority, it was launched to “facilitate industry adoption of nascent technologies in 5G and future communications,” enabling open innovation, learning, testing, and validation with various industries.

Since 2021, the lab has actively built partnerships for 5G test-bedding and application prototyping. In just a few years, it has supported numerous pilot projects - roughly 20 different 5G use cases to date - across domains like drones, robotics, and augmented reality.

Terminology (IMDA, Singapore): In Singapore lab runs are described as testbed trials (not “private network/5G”), as no private spectrum is allocated. FCTLab operates on FR1 spectrum at 50 MHz channel bandwidth.

Real testbed use cases on campus

• Autonomous Drones & Vehicles:

  Trials have tested drones and unmanned vehicles over the testbed for tasks like surveillance and deliveries, leveraging low-latency connectivity for precise remote control.

• Robotics and Automation:

  From robotic arms to delivery robots, the lab is assessing how real-time coordination and control perform in campus or factory-like settings.

• AR/VR and Remote Presence:

  Use cases include remote training simulations and AR maintenance assistance, where high bandwidth and reliability enable immersive, real-time visuals.

  
  

More information available here.

Each project is run in realistic lab conditions. SIT’s Punggol Digital District (PDD) campus today supports primarily indoor testbed trials; outdoor mobility areas (e.g., driveway/courtyard) are under planning. Teams conduct controlled evaluations in designated indoor spaces and when permitted, extend to approved outdoor locations as they become available or to partner sites. This preserves full control over test parameters (coverage layout, QoS, logging) while aligning with campus policies and safety.

Notably, the FCTLab isn’t just showcasing demos in isolation - it’s structured to help partners get something practical out of each experiment. Companies are invited to use the testbeds as a service: they can come in with a prototype or idea (about Technology Readiness Level 4–7) and validate it end-to-end in the lab environment. They can run proof-of-concept trials, live demonstrations, and end-to-end product validation in a safe setting before going to market.

For example, a start-up developing a 5G-enabled AR training headset could test its device on the FCTLab testbed, fine-tune performance, and prove the concept to investors or customers via a live demo - without needing to build its own network or rely on a commercial system.

As Dr. Shyam Babu Mahato, Sr. Research Fellow, FCTLab, put it, “With the implementation of 5G, remote work can be done more efficiently, and work environment and safety may be greatly improved.” In other words, the lab is helping uncover how 5G can tangibly improve operations - whether it’s letting port crane operators work safely from afar or enabling robots to handle routine tasks - and making those benefits clear through real testbed pilots.

Portable Testbed Kit: CloudRAN.AI Powers Agile Trials

One enabler behind rapid 5G experimentation is the technology running the lab testbed. To support many different trials, a translation lab needs a system that’s flexible, fast to deploy, and easy to adapt.

CloudRAN.AI - a Singapore-based solutions provider and Cloudnet.ai subsidiary - offers a software-defined cellular testbed kit that runs on off-the-shelf IT servers with no specialized accelerators. This cloud-native approach simplifies integration and setup compared to traditional telco gear.

For translation labs, that plug-and-play model is a game changer. The kit is a compact, all-in-one unit - essentially a portable testbed-in-a-box. Unlike fixed installations, it can be wheeled to a new location and brought online in minutes. Need a coverage zone for a robotics or AR demo? Deploy the portable base unit in the designated lab or event space; for outdoor trials, move it to approved areas as they come online. Running a demo in an auditorium? Use the same unit to provide dedicated testbed coverage for the event.

Teams evaluating the kit report that it’s power-up simple: the radio, core, and management software are bundled, so there’s no complex backend to configure on site.

Key benefits of CloudRAN.AI’s portable testbed kit

• Fast deployment.
  Stands up in under 10 minutes, enabling ad-hoc trials without weeks of planning or permanent builds.

• Compact & mobile.
  Fits in a small rack or case; one person can transport it; no heavy power or cooling required - ideal for moving between buildings or approved outdoor areas.

• Flexible coverage (indoor/outdoor).
  Supports multiple power and antenna options to cover anything from a single lab room to a courtyard, enabling diverse test scenarios.

• Software-defined & upgradeable.
  Features can be updated or reconfigured remotely; capacity can scale (add radios, slice the network) to match each scenario. The architecture is future-ready for new 5G features, and beyond.

• Interoperability.
  Can coexist with campus Wi-Fi and carrier networks when experiments require realistic multi-network behavior.
  
  

In practice, the kit has performed in demanding live scenarios - for example, powering multi-venue event coverage where portable units uplink HD video from arenas to a control room with ~5-10 ms latency. When a tournament moves cities, units can be redeployed overnight, preserving the same workflows. The approach earned recognition with a GSMA Foundry Excellence Award (2024) for a “hyper-cell” event-networking deployment - evidence that the design holds up under pressure.

For lab environments like FCTLab, access to a portable, software-defined testbed aligns with the mission of rapid, low-overhead experimentation - letting teams focus on the application under test (drones, robots, AR) rather than wrestling with complex network hardware.

From Campus Trials to Industry Transformation

What’s happening in translation labs is a microcosm of a broader shift: 5G is moving from buzzword to business tool, one use case at a time. By providing a controlled place to work through real constraints, labs like FCTLab help solutions mature faster. A drone-delivery concept proven on a testbed today can become a smart-city service tomorrow. A robotics company that validates an AGV (automated guided vehicle) workflow on campus is better prepared to deploy in factories, with higher confidence it will work as intended. This pipeline - from campus to commerce - is how 5G’s potential is realized: through dozens of small, practical breakthroughs across industries.

At FCTLab, the impact is already visible. Trials have helped regulators and enterprises understand what works, what doesn’t, and why. Insights from the lab’s pilots inform best practices for enterprise adoption. Early drone experiments, for example, highlighted the need for dedicated outdoor testbed coverage zones; AR/VR trials showed how edge computing at the campus network can reduce latency for graphics rendering. Each lesson learned is shared with partners to smooth later, real-world deployments.

FCTLab places a premium on industry collaboration - actively gathering feedback and “pain points” so teams can co-create solutions that map to deployment realities (from security to device interoperability). This demand-driven approach keeps the work relevant to production needs.

Looking ahead, FCTLab continues to expand its testbed programs and collaborations, while CloudRAN.AI continues developing its portable, software-defined testbed kit for increasingly complex scenarios (e.g., autonomous systems evaluations aligned with PDD’s development timeline, Industry 4.0 evaluations, and public-safety exercises). Punggol Digital District (PDD) is rapidly attracting industry; notably, the government has announced autonomous shuttle/taxi pilots on selected routes in the PDD area - creating a strong backdrop for future mobility trials.

Crucially, organizations don’t have to wait for 5G to “just happen.” They can create and shape solutions now. By leveraging a portable testbed setup like CloudRAN.AI’s, even small teams can experiment with advanced wireless on their own terms- accelerating innovation while reducing risk when scaling up. As nationwide 5G coverage expands (Singapore targeted island-wide 5G by 2025), groundwork laid by these testbeds means there will be home-grown applications ready to make those networks valuable.

In summary, the Future Communications Translation Lab (FCTLab) shows how to bring 5G from vision to reality: academia provides a safe place to experiment and learn; industry focuses on usable outcomes; and portable, software-defined testbeds lower the barrier to entry. The path is clear for others to follow: start small, test often, stay flexible, and partner up. The future of 5G isn’t something to watch passively - it’s something we build, one testbed use case at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a 5G translation lab?

   A 5G translation lab is an applied R&D facility designed to bridge theoretical research and real-world application. Unlike pure research centers, translation labs (such as SIT’s FCTLab) emphasize hands-on, end-to-end evaluations in realistic environments—what we call testbed trials in Singapore. Teams bring early solutions (robots, AGVs, AR/VR apps, high-uplink video workflows) and run structured pilot projects that measure performance, identify integration gaps, and iterate toward deployment. The objective is to move from concept to  proof-of-concept and finally to a validated prototype with clear evidence on feasibility, constraints, and next steps.

   
   

2. Why are testbeds like FCTLab important?

   Deploying a brand-new use case straight onto a public network can be risky or impractical. Testbeds provide a safe, configurable sandbox where innovators can:

• Tailor network parameters (e.g., QoS profiles, scheduler settings, mobility patterns, uplink biasing) to match the experiment.

• Control radio layout and power to study coverage, interference, and handover behavior.

• Instrument the runs with tracing/metrics so that results are repeatable and auditable.
  This accelerates learning in both directions: promising ideas gain confidence and investment readiness; weak concepts fail fast at low cost. Testbeds also surface practical issues early - device interoperability, RF planning nuances, or policy conflicts - so they can be fixed before scale-up.

3. What kinds of 5G use cases has FCTLab worked on?

   FCTLab has supported a broad mix of trials spanning multiple verticals, for example:

• Autonomous drones & vehicles: Remote operation over the testbed for surveillance, inspection, and on-campus logistics; focus on low-latency control loops and resilient uplink.

• Robotics & Industry 4.0: Coordinating robotic arms and AGVs in campus/factory-style settings; validating motion control, safety interlocks, and networked automation.

• AR/VR & remote presence: Training and assisted-maintenance use cases where high bandwidth and steady frame delivery are critical to user experience.

• Smart-campus IoT: Sensors and analytics for energy, safety, and operations.
  Each trial is conducted under controlled testbed conditions to fine-tune performance, collect data, and produce a decision-ready readout for partners.

4. How does CloudRAN.AI’s solution support these experiments?

   CloudRAN.AI provides a portable, software-defined cellular testbed kit that labs can evaluate for rapid, repeatable trials. The kit is an all-in-one unit - radio(s), core, and management software - running on off-the-shelf IT servers (no specialized accelerators). For researchers and field teams, that translates into:

• Rapid setup: Stand up a new test zone in minutes; ideal for time-boxed demos or pop-up trials.

• Portability: Move the same kit between  indoor spaces today and approved outdoor areas as they become available.

• Flexibility: Adjust coverage footprint and policies; where supported, create isolated slices for parallel experiments.

• Reliability & performance: Proven high throughput and low latency (~5–10 ms) in demanding field conditions, so the network isn’t the bottleneck.
  Result: teams spend more time on the application under test and less on building bespoke network plumbing for each project.

5. What makes a “private 5G” network different from public 5G?

   In general terms, a private 5G network is dedicated to one organization or site, offering:

• Dedicated resources (spectrum/radios/core capacity) for predictable performance,

• Customization of features and policies to the specific workflow,

• Security & local data residency, and

• Operational independence from public-network load or outages.
  Singapore note (IMDA guidance): In Singapore lab contexts, we use testbed terminology (not “private network/5G”) because no private spectrum is allocated. At FCTLab, trials operate on FR1 spectrum with 50 MHz channel bandwidth.

6. How can other organizations collaborate with FCTLab or use its facilities?

   FCTLab works with industry, research institutes, and public agencies via a testbed-as-a-service model:

• Propose your use case (objectives, devices, environment, success metrics).

• Co-design a test plan with the lab (radio layout, mobility paths, KPIs, data capture).

• Execute a pilot—from a short demo (days) to a longer evaluation (weeks).

• Review results & iterate toward a go/no-go decision or scale-up plan.
  For enquiries, you may contact Dr. Shyam Babu Mahato, Sr. Research Fellow, FCTLab. To learn more about the lab, watch the video.