Author: Jennifer Goforth Gregory
Date published: October 16, 2024
Businesses increasingly want to provide experience that includes automation, analytics and personalization. However, this level of service is only possible with a reliable, high-performance network. With 5G, businesses can better access the connectivity needed to power their digital transformation.
When 5G was first introduced, the technology was actually 5G Radio Access Networks (RAN) overlaid on a 4G LTE core, which made it possible to offer the higher speeds and reliability of 5G without building an entirely new network. Because it was built on top of 4G, this intermediate step that transitioned from 4G to true 5G was referred to as non-standalone 5G.
As the technology evolved, telecom firms such as Verizon are beginning to move to 5G standalone, which means devices directly communicate with the cloud-native 5G network core instead of going through the 4G LTE core. Additionally, direct communication can result in significantly higher performance.
5G standalone uses the 5G core directly and provides a more resilient core network. Because the architecture has fewer layers than previous cellular networks, it can be more efficient than 4G LTE with 5G non-standalone. The 5G core introduced with 5G standalone includes many features, including software applications, networking and storage. Because carriers like Verizon built artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into their 5G network, resources can quickly be allocated based on demand.
With higher speeds, increased capacity and reliability, 5G standalone connectivity can provide benefits to businesses, such as:
The cloud-based core can enable the network to continually analyze network performance. By proactively identifying potential issues that can slow down the network, the 5G standalone network could help provide improved performance. The near real-time analysis allows the network to actually improve itself and dynamically allocate resources. Instead of experiencing a processing lag, customers now know what is happening in as near real-time as possible. This is critical for many use cases, such as providing up-to-date information on where products are in the supply chain to reduce delays.
The near real-time resource management uses automation to respond to changing needs by moving workloads on and off different servers. The network can now more effectively manage both the RAN and virtual network functions, which can improve performance and speed.
Because standalone 5G has lower latency than previous networks, data can now be available in near real-time. With 5G standalone, businesses can now implement complex solutions that require low latency and massive computing capabilities. For example, it will be feasible to implement augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) and mixed reality on a larger scale.
5G standalone can help enables the network to notice patterns that can proactively predict network failures. By using dynamic resource allocation, the network proactively transfers workloads to another server when needed. The network can then be proactively repaired before a larger problem occurs instead of responding to a problem after the fact, helping to reduce downtime.
With functionality such as communication security and identity management, standalone 5G provides enhanced security when compared to non-standalone. For example, the AI-based core allows the network to automatically detect pattern changes that may indicate an attack or breach.
The telecommunications industry has continually evolved to provide greater coverage and performance. 5G standalone will provide businesses of all sizes and industries with a flexible, scalable network solution. With a standalone 5G network, businesses will have reliability and latency and can easily scale and innovate as business needs change.
Learn about more how Verizon standalone 5G can help your business grow.
The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.