Vodafone and A1 Achieve 5G SA Roaming Milestone

Article Highlights
Off On

Vodafone Group and A1 Group have achieved a significant milestone by successfully enabling 5G Standalone (SA) roaming between their networks. This marks a successful connection of A1 Bulgaria’s subscriber to Vodafone Germany’s 5G SA infrastructure. The accomplishment was made possible by using commercially available 5G core network software compliant with the latest 3GPP standards, offering advanced voice capabilities such as immersive surround sound. Unlike Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G, which relies on LTE infrastructure, 5G SA operates using a cloud-native 5G core with Service-Based Architecture, unlocking the full potential of 5G features.

Alberto Ripepi, chief network officer at Vodafone Group, emphasized the enhancement of user experiences at international events and consistent connectivity across diverse business locations. The success of this trial was supported by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core and Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) platforms used by both Vodafone and A1, which ensure subscriber and network data protection during international usage in line with GSMA guidelines.

The trial’s adherence to 3GPP and GSMA standards simplifies the automatic setup and centralized management of inter-operator connections, streamlining roaming agreements and accelerating market entry. Todor Tashev of A1 Group highlighted the importance of this achievement in delivering high-quality mobile connectivity to European citizens and tourists alike. Monica Zethzon from Ericsson noted that out of over 60 live or deployed 5G SA networks worldwide, more than 40 utilize Ericsson’s core and radio solutions, ensuring consistent service quality and security. Roaming capabilities are crucial to meeting user expectations, especially during major events. Looking ahead, Ericsson’s Mobility Report projects that by 2030, 60% of global 5G subscriptions—approximately 3.6 billion—will be 5G SA-enabled. European consumers are also reportedly willing to pay up to 15% more for better application performance and connectivity, indicating a bright future for 5G SA with enhanced connectivity and user experiences globally.

Explore more

Why Should Leaders Invest in Employee Career Growth?

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, a staggering statistic reveals the stakes of neglecting employee development: turnover costs the median S&P 500 company $480 million annually due to talent loss, underscoring a critical challenge for leaders. This immense financial burden highlights the urgent need to retain skilled individuals and maintain a competitive edge through strategic initiatives. Employee career growth, often overlooked

Making Time for Questions to Boost Workplace Curiosity

Introduction to Fostering Inquiry at Work Imagine a bustling office where deadlines loom large, meetings are packed with agendas, and every minute counts—yet no one dares to ask a clarifying question for fear of derailing the schedule. This scenario is all too common in modern workplaces, where the pressure to perform often overshadows the need for curiosity. Fostering an environment

Embedded Finance: From SaaS Promise to SME Practice

Imagine a small business owner managing daily operations through a single software platform, seamlessly handling not just inventory or customer relations but also payments, loans, and business accounts without ever stepping into a bank. This is the transformative vision of embedded finance, a trend that integrates financial services directly into vertical Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms, turning them into indispensable tools for

DevOps Tools: Gateways to Major Cyberattacks Exposed

In the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, DevOps tools have emerged as indispensable assets for organizations aiming to streamline software development and IT operations with unmatched efficiency, making them critical to modern business success. Platforms like GitHub, Jira, and Confluence enable seamless collaboration, allowing teams to manage code, track projects, and document workflows at an accelerated pace. However, this very integration

Trend Analysis: Agentic DevOps in Digital Transformation

In an era where digital transformation remains a critical yet elusive goal for countless enterprises, the frustration of stalled progress is palpable— over 70% of initiatives fail to meet expectations, costing billions annually in wasted resources and missed opportunities. This staggering reality underscores a persistent struggle to modernize IT infrastructure amid soaring costs and sluggish timelines. As companies grapple with