When I started my 5G Journey in 2017, I first explored the 5G network versions: 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) and 5G SA (Standalone). Most MNOs envision starting with 5G NSA and moving towards the full capabilities of 5G SA. However, the reality of 5G SA has so far proved somewhat different from the vision.
Here, I summarized the 5G SA Status and Coverage from 5 trusted resources below:
- 5G SA coverage, by region, from Analysys Mason shows that while covering 100% of populations with high-speed 5G services may be desirable politically, it is economically challenging due to deployment cost, customer needs, and insufficient investment.
- Dell’Oro Group said 61 5G SA networks have been deployed since 2020 and expects a dozen more to launch in 2025.
- According to Ericsson, by the end of September 2024, over 60 service providers had deployed or launched public 5G SA networks. They see that the 5G SA core is flexible and programmable, allowing services to be designed based on customers’ requirements, with assured quality of service (QoS), security and adaptability.
- According to GSA (Global mobile Suppliers Association), At least 67 operators in 35 countries and territories are now understood to have launched public 5G SA networks.
- GSMA Intelligence insights show that, as of September 2024, 57 operators had launched 5G SA networks, while 88 had announced plans to launch.