Etisalat by E& has announced the deployment of 5G Stand-Alone for mobile users, marking a significant technology milestone.
This follows the successful launch of 5G SA service for Fixed Wireless Users (FWA) earlier in 2023. The new deployment offers consumers access to a standalone 5G network, ensuring reliable nationwide coverage for voice and data services.
Prior to this development, customers were using a 5G radio access network over an existing 4G LTE network.
Enhanced Features with Stand Alone 5G Network
The introduction of a complete stand-alone 5G network brings advantages such as higher uplink speeds, improved device battery life, and faster connectivity, according to WAM.
These enhancements support new applications, including rich Voice over New Radio (VoNR) and Video over New Radio (ViNR) calling experiences, going beyond over-the-top (OTT) solutions.
Khalid Murshed, Chief Technology & Information Officer, Etisalat by e&, said: “We are thrilled to announce our successful implementation of 5G Standalone technology. This is a significant milestone as we look to deliver end-to-end 5G solutions in the UAE, providing our customers with the latest in digital innovations, and superior experience and laying the foundation for the next generation of technologies on the network. The 5G Standalone network will allow us to offer our customers the latest in high-speed and low-latency connectivity. We are proud to be leading the way in 5G technology and are committed to continuing our efforts to provide the best services in the industry.”
The introduction of 5G SA is set to expedite service delivery and innovation cycles due to its software-based service model and agile continuous innovation and deployment cycles.
The notable low latency of 5G SA is pivotal, as it will support low latency gaming, enhanced AR/VR applications, and enhancements to various enterprise use cases, particularly for multiple IoT applications requiring constant connections.
Etisalat by E&’s 5G Stand Alone (SA) service promises ultra-high speed and low latency Internet connectivity, enhancing the overall user experience.
Unlocking the Power of 5G Stand-Alone: Network Slicing and Beyond
5G SA’s ability to enable network slicing is another key advantage. Network slicing allows customised virtual network segments to cater to specific use cases or user requirements.
5G networks can accommodate a diverse range of use cases, fulfilling varying network requirements, such as latency, throughput, capacity, and reliability.
Network slicing allows 5G to address these diverse use cases by utilizing the same network infrastructure and creating virtual network slices within the broader mobile network.
The 5G SA core network now incorporates capabilities like edge computing, network slicing, 3GPP SA-guided network orchestration, and service-based architecture.
The transition from 5G Stand-Alone Fixed Wireless Access (5G SA FWA) service to 5G Stand-Alone for Mobile Users ushers in a new era of 5G SA commercial use cases while enhancing the Quality Of Experience (QOE).
This 5G Stand-Alone deployment adheres to Service-Based Architecture (SBA) standards, featuring network exposure, slicing, edge computing, and orchestration capabilities as per the latest 3GPP standards.
5G SA, in conjunction with innovative technologies like cloud, network slicing, edge computing, and AI, will pave the way for a multitude of innovative applications and solutions for both enterprise and consumer subscribers, spanning various vertical industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, real-time surveillance, and more.
