5G standalone (SA) networks are built from the ground up with 5G in mind. 5G standalone networks are built on top of the 4G LTE core and add 5G radio capabilities on top of the existing 4G network. 5G networks are faster, have lower latency, are more efficient and more reliable than non-SA 5G networks. In the US, only two carriers currently have a 5G SA network and
T-Mobile is one of them. You might be surprised to learn that the other US carrier with a 5G SA network is DISH Network.
According to Dell’Oro Group, Since 2020, 5G SA networks have been used by 61 network operators in 34 countries.. Dell’Oro Research Director Dave Bolan says that in addition to the US, countries using 5G SA include China, India, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain and the UK. This information does not include fixed wireless access. networks or private 5G networks.
Bolan says he expects a dozen more 5G SA networks to launch in 2025, including those owned by
AT&T And
Verizon. Another source
Ericsson Mobility Report November 2024 forecast that the number of 5G SA mobile subscribers will reach 3.6 billion by the end of 2030, tripling the number of subscribers using 5G SA networks at the end of last year. According to Ericsson, by 2030, 60% of 5G subscribers will use 5G SA networks.
Some of you may be surprised to hear this
Verizon And
AT&T have not yet used SA’s nationwide 5G network. This is because last year, if you had asked any carrier if they were using a dedicated 5G network, they would have said yes, even though it was only used in a few states.
Verizonfor example, stated that it had launched a 5G SA network when asked about it last year, although it later said
Brutal wireless connection What
at that time the network operated only in three states.
Dell’Oro’s Bolan says there is no clear definition that network operators would have to meet to claim their 5G SA service is nationwide. He says: “But generally speaking, we are adding mobile operators that have deployed 5G SA networks across a wide geographic portion of their network, addressing large population centers.” In other words, just because your 5G SA network only works in three states doesn’t mean it works nationwide.
“Most carriers start with their major urban centers and then expand coverage to surrounding communities and eventually rural communities. Coverage typically focuses on outdoor followed by indoor coverage, also covering locations such as transport hubs and sports/entertainment centres. No 5G. SA’s network is consistent with the coverage of its 4G networks, but it is clear that those that launched first have moved further,” Dave Bolan, Research Director, Dell’Oro Group.
It’s no surprise that the first telecom operator to deploy a standalone 5G network was
T-Mobile which launched a 5G SA network in its 600 MHz band in the US. This band provides the operator’s nationwide 5G service.
T-Mobile has since added 5G SA coverage to its 2.5 GHz band. However, Bolan says no operator has yet been able to provide 4G coverage with SA’s 5G network.
