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Experience 5G without limits

5G Standalone is the platform for new business opportunities with differentiated connectivity.

5G Standalone

5G Standalone (5G SA) unlocks new revenue opportunities and business models—bringing cloud ready architecture, real time responsiveness, and Network APIs to empower a new generation of applications. As communication service providers modernize their core and scale mid band coverage, 5G SA provides a competitive advantage in bringing new performance-based services to market.

5G Standalone explained

5G Standalone marks the real shift into the 5G era, delivering the performance, agility, and intelligence needed to support today’s rapidly evolving applications. Built on a fully cloud native 5G Core and 5G Radio architecture, it gives service providers a programmable, service based platform where new features and services can be created, upgraded, and deployed in hours rather than days—without disrupting live operations.

With capabilities such as network API exposure, automation, network slicing, and advanced traffic handling, 5G SA brings real time responsiveness, higher efficiency, and a foundation ready to scale new applications, devices, and enabling communication service providers transitioning into performance-based and platform business models.

5G Standalone: the facts

  • Based on the 3GPP New Radio standard
  • Runs on a simplified, RAN and device architecture
  • Built on a cloud native, service based 5G Core
  • Supports advanced capabilities such as network slicing, network exposure and automation
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5G SA vs 5G NSA

5G Standalone vs 5G Non-Standalone graphic.

Early 5G networks have been based on 5G non-standalone architecture, using a 5G Radio Access Network that anchors to existing Evolved Packet Core networks. 5G Standalone, on the other hand, anchors to a cloud-native 5G Core network using service-based architecture. This lays the foundation for faster, automated, and more agile service orchestration, as well as enabling a host of powerful 5G performance- and service enablers.

Learn more in our article: Non-standalone and standalone – two standards-based paths to 5G

5G non-standalone

  • 5G RAN that anchors to existing Evolved Packet Core networks
  • Based on LTE/EPC architecture
  • Maximizes the use of the installed LTE base

Supports early 5G use cases including enhanced mobile broadband (video streaming, early immersive reality) and Critical IoT.                                                                                                                                           

5G Standalone

  • 5G RAN that anchors to cloud-native 5G Core networks
  • Based on new service-based architecture, with new network functions in Core
  • Simplified RAN and user equipment architecture

Supports advanced 5G services including network slicing, edge computing, 5G voice, RedCap devices, Time Critical Communication (TCC), network exposure, and enhanced Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

5G SA: key benefits and capabilities

Powerful user experience

Consistent low latency
5G Standalone enables ultra-low latency in the milliseconds, supported by lower handover interruption time and other enablers, to deliver close to real-time communication with zero lag.

Better spectral efficiency
Advanced Multi-Layer Coordination, and increased LTE offload to 5G spectrum enables higher uplink and downlink data rates. Ericsson’s 5G Standalone software toolkit enhances support for experience-based connectivity with high requirements on throughput, reliability, and latency.

Wider coverage
5G Standalone multi-band carrier aggregation, including uplink carrier aggregation, can leverage multiple 5G spectrum frequencies to significantly improve uplink and downlink capacity across wider areas.

5G voice
5G Standalone unlocks new 5G voice (VoNR) capabilities to enable near-instant call connections, lower latency voice communication, and higher quality audio through wider bandwidth.

Enhanced network efficiency

Higher energy efficiency
5G SA allow users to spend more time in 5G than 5G NSA, improving the energy efficiency of each gigabyte transmitted.

Advanced device support
Through RedCap device support and reduced signaling of the Inactive State feature, 5G Standalone enables reduced device latency, complexity, and battery consumption, laying the groundwork for use case evolution.

Service agility and scale
5G Core’s cloud-native service-based architecture and cross-domain service orchestration means microservices can be scaled, reused and upgraded with minimal impact on running services.

Enhanced end-to-end security
Advanced encryption and identity protection is delivered through the 5G Core-integrated Ericsson Authentication Security Module, providing end-to-end security of 5G Standalone networks.

Why move to 5G Standalone?

The shift to 5G Standalone is a strategic necessity for service providers seeking to stay competitive and realize the full value of 5G by delivering optimized, consistent performance across emerging consumer and enterprise applications—fueling differentiated connectivity. It bring clear advantages:

  • Delivers ultra‑low latency, faster access to higher data rates, and more consistent user experiences across both consumer and enterprise applications.
  • Elevates existing services such as mobile broadband, fixed wireless access, and 5G voice with better performance, stability, and scalability.
  • Opens new revenue‑generating segments through capabilities like time‑critical communication, RedCap devices, advanced traffic handling, and support for massive IoT and new device ecosystems.
  • Accelerates service agility and innovation through a cloud‑native, service‑based architecture that enables rapid feature upgrades and service deployment—often in hours instead of days.
  • Provides a programmable network foundation with automation and exposure integration, creating the flexibility needed for next‑generation applications and business models.

Unlocking new revenue streams

5G Standalone rollouts are rapidly increasing among leading service providers worldwide, unlocking transformative new revenue possibilities across enterprises, consumers, governments, and public services.

Key revenue enablers

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Differentiated connectivity

How do you achieve differentiated connectivity? It’s a journey that unlocks your network potential. Access our handbook that will take you through our three-stage blueprint of exploration, scaling and monetization – designed to help you craft a competitive edge.

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Differentiated connectivity. When moments matter

What do you do when you find yourself in a perfect moment? Whether you’re watching your favourite band perform at a festival and you want to share with family, friends and the world or you need a secure and reliable connection for that critical on-line meeting on the go.

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Mission-critical services

Time-Critical Communication (TCC) offers reliable, ultra-low latency connectivity that meets the high demands of mission-critical services across diverse segments. For consumers, this includes support for real-time media use cases such as XR and media production; while advanced industrial- and remote control will raise the innovation stakes across millions of factories and warehouses in coming years.

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Enhanced Fixed Wireless Access

5G Standalone’s advanced performance, underpinned by enhanced network slicing and carrier aggregation, brings home the value of new enhanced FWA market opportunities – delivering improved speed, capacity, and coverage to meet the connectivity needs of households and enterprises worldwide.

Featured insights

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Ericsson Mobility Report article: Exploring a customer-centric 5G standalone rollout strategy

BT Group leveraged its unique network assets to deliver a user experience-centric launch of 5G standalone, enhancing user experience and changing its go-to-market strategy.

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Global momentum in commercial differentiated connectivity services

Ericsson Mobility Report article: New offerings that leverage 5G Standalone (SA) capabilities, such as network slicing, have progressed from limited pilots and niche experiments to fully launched commercial services.

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Network slicing business opportunities

This report offers insights from a research, identifying and quantifying key market opportunities within urban environments. It also provides a practical guide and initial reference point for CSPs planning their 5G strategies.

5G SA and differentiated connectivity

5G SA and differentiated connectivity

Listen to Hans Hammar, Head of Business Strategy, Ericsson, highlights 5G SA's competitive performance and capabilities enabling differentiated connectivity.

Featured business cases

Discover Singtel's Journey to Differentiated Connectivity

Singtel transforms connectivity services business model

Read the case study

The path to 5G SA: three routes to get there

LTE > 5G non-standalone > 5G standalone

Route 1: LTE > 5G NSA > 5G SA

Service providers deploying 5G non-standalone architecture as an intermediate step to full 5G Standalone architecture. This has made it possible for service providers to switch on 5G services as quickly as possible, while using LTE as a fallback.

Learn more about Swisscom’s journey from LTE to 5G non-standalone

LTE > 5G Standalone

Route 2: LTE > 5G SA

Service providers that take the more direct migration route from LTE radio access and EPC networks to full 5G Standalone architecture from day one. One notable example is Indian service provider Jio that adopted a forward-looking 5G strategy from the get-go, providing differentiated services shaped by the inherent capabilities of 5G Standalone.

Learn more about Jio’s journey from LTE to 5G Standalone

5G Standalone

Route 3: 5G SA

Service providers and enterprises deploying a cellular network for the very first time, for example public greenfield deployments, or private deployments of dedicated- or campus 5G networks.

Learn more about Helmut Schmidt University’s journey to a private 5G Standalone campus network

5G Core is the starting point for a migration to 5G SA

The new 5G Core service-based architecture and its cloud-native network functions are catalysts for a complete network transformation to cloud. This transformation requires adopting diverse network technologies and reevaluating operational aspects for efficient deployment and life cycle management of the network.

There are three deployment phases that contribute to the full 5G Standalone experience. It’s important to plan when and how to embark on each phase of your transformation journey according to your business and network needs, and technology maturity.

5G Core network guide series

Focus on deploying 5G Standalone services on a small scale, covering selected cities or even blocks. Consider deploying 5G Core network functions (NFs) just for the packet core domain and delaying others, such as subscriber data management, policy, and signaling. With low complexity at this stage, there is little need to broaden automation and orchestration offerings.

Begin evolving coverage and capacity of your 5G Standalone network, as well as adding new NFs, such as subscription data management, to a live cloud-native packet core network. Here, your need for automation and orchestration capabilities will increase, requiring new tools for more efficient network management. Modernization of some network domains, such as moving into a bare-metal cloud infrastructure or deploying VoNR services, may also be covered in this phase.

By this stage, you can begin to enrich your network with new capabilities that will enable more innovation and monetization, for example across enterprise and industry segments, as well as expanding the complete ecosystem with application developers. This requires a focus on innovative network slicing solutions, edge computing and network APIs’ exposure.

Begin your journey to 5G SA with Ericsson

As a 5G market leader, supporting network deployments around the globe, we’re here to help you plan for a smooth migration to 5G Standalone networks – tailored to your business and technology goals.

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5G Core

Dual-mode 5G Core combines Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and new 5G Core (5GC) network functions into a common, multi-access and cloud-native platform. It’s the foundation that unleashes the full power of 5G Standalone, enabling faster connectivity speeds, ultra-low latency, higher bit rates and improved network reliability.

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5G RAN

5G RAN supports both 5G Standalone and 5G non-standalone deployments, with the ability to be remotely installed on existing Ericsson Radio System radios. With the option to choose between a purpose-built and a Cloud RAN portfolio for 5G, service providers can enjoy more flexibility when rolling out networks worldwide. 

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Cloud native

Cloud-native architecture allows upgrades and new functionalities to be deployed more cost-efficiently, without impacting live services. The possibility to add new network functionalities, quickly scale capacity and run in-service software upgrades makes it possible to create and deploy new services for automated and customized connectivity in hours, rather than days or weeks.

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Network automation & AI

Leveraging new, powerful AI capabilities, Ericsson’s network management automation solutions are uniquely developed to meet rapidly increasing depth, density, heterogeneity, openness, and exposure of 5G Standalone networks, while preparing you for a future that is autonomous, zero-touch and intent based.

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OSS/BSS

Expanding top line revenue growth from a wider range of differentiated 5G services adds new dimensions of complexity. Ericsson’s Operations- and Business Support Systems (OSS/BSS) are evolving to meet that complexity and enable your transformation towards new business models and new ways of engaging with consumers, enterprises and partners.

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Network slicing

Network slicing plays a crucial role in enabling new services and business models across a wider set of market segments based on differentiated connectivity. By slicing the network into a set of logical networks on top of a shared infrastructure, you can raise your return on investment via efficient usage and management of the network resources and provide differentiated services at scale.

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We’ll help you get connected.

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