BT’s chief security and network officer Howard Watson has hinted that EE could be in a position to begin commercial deployment of 5G standalone (5G SA) mobile network technology during the second half of 2024. Perhaps it would be better to consider the timing until this summer.
Most existing 5G networks are non-standalone (NSA). This means that it relies on partially old and slow 4G infrastructure. However, the SA network is pure end-to-end 5G with ultra-low latency, improved energy efficiency, faster upload speeds, network slicing, improved support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, support for Voice over New, and more. can be improved.Wireless (VoNR or Vo5G), improved reliability and security, etc.
Vodafone officially becomes the first UK mobile operator to launch commercial 5G SA network in a small number of cities during June 2023 (here), with O2 (VMO2) to launch commercial 5G in 14 cities in February 2024. We have launched the SA network (here). The latter was particularly noteworthy as the service was offered at no additional charge to existing customers. However, in both cases, 5G SA coverage is currently understood to be very patchy (i.e. more likely to be discovered in congested areas).
Similarly, BT via EE is busy conducting a number of related 5G SA trials, although it has not yet officially announced the start of commercial deployment. However, a recent report on the Telco Titans via a Mobile World Live correspondent quoted Howard Watson as saying that a realistic timeline could be someday.later this year” (H2).
Howard Watson said:
“We’re ready. We’ve been thinking hard about 5G standalone for a long time. Yes, we can do pilots, we can do trials, but the reality is, We think we need to wait a little bit longer to get a better device ecosystem and better services with slicing.”
In fact, EE, like other mobile carriers, typically begins its rollout before officially announcing it (meaning much of the groundwork for it is likely already underway) and people often prefer to achieve an appropriate level of service. Unlike some of our competitors, we do our coverage before we get to that stage.
However, when EE announces its launch, will it try to sell it as a premium package like Vodafone or?at no extra charge‘Route, like the O2. The mention of network slicing above may give you a hint as you may be aiming to start alongside your preferred plans such as mobile gaming, home broadband or business connectivity.
Ensuring support for the widest possible range of devices is also important, and Watson clearly has the above points in mind as well. For example, O2 and Vodafone both launched their 5G SA without supporting the latest iPhones, while Samsung’s phones had no such issues.
