SingTel has launched what it claims is the world’s first commercial 4G service that can deliver a 300 Mbps peak connection speed.

There is only one compatible device on sale – the Huawei E5786 mobile WiFi hotspot priced at S$399 (€238) before subsidies – but the operator hopes to add more products in the coming months.

"With multimedia applications consuming increasingly more bandwidth, speed is everything. The launch of the Huawei E5786 enables us to bring the benefits of LTE-Advanced services to Singaporeans before anyone else in the world," said Johan Buse, vice president of consumer marketing at SingTel, in a statement on Wednesday.

SingTel said it will not charge extra for access to its 300 Mbps-capable network.

The Singaporean incumbent also provided an update on its LTE-A deployment. The network currently covers Changi airport, the Singapore Expo convention centre, which is adjacent to the airport, and Bugis railway station.

By the end of August, SingTel aims to extend coverage to four more areas, including the central business district and the affluent Orchard Road area, among others.

"More than half of the island will be covered by the end of October and nationwide coverage is expected by the end of the first quarter of 2015," the telco said.

While SingTel may be the first operator to offer a fully-fledged 300-Mbps LTE-A service, a number of others are well on their way.

Hong Kong’s CSL is in the process of upgrading its LTE network to 300-Mbps LTE-A and is carrying out tests on its live network.

Australian incumbent Telstra is also testing 300-Mbps LTE-A on its live network, as well as trialling chipsets.

Meanwhile in the U.K., EE has launched a pilot network capable of providing 300-Mbps speeds in East London’s Tech City.