The deployment of 5G began in 2019, and today, nearly 99% of the US population has access to it. But many of these deployments are 5G non-standalone (5G NSA), and it’s only now that we’re seeing the wider roll-out of full 5G features in the form of 5G standalone (5G SA). So, what is 5G SA, why is it so radically different from 5G NSA, and how are enterprises beginning to use it?
What’s the Difference Between 5G NSA and 5G SA?
5G non-standalone (5G NSA) is a hybrid approach that uses 5G antennas with existing 4G core infrastructure. This is a fast and relatively inexpensive way to roll out 5G technology, and it’s considered to be a stepping stone between 4G and full-fledged 5G.
While 5G NSA provides faster speeds, it doesn’t have all the potential features that full 5G promises. 5G standalone (5G SA), on the other hand, uses 5G technology from end to end, including the core.
What Does 5G SA Do That 5G NSA Can’t?
5G NSA only begins to scratch the surface of 5G’s real potential. Compared to its predecessor, 5G SA provides:
• Much faster speeds (with the potential for 10-20 Gbps)
• Very low latency (potentially less than one millisecond)
• Support for up to one million devices within a square kilometer
• Better battery performance (as it removes the need for devices to connect to both 4G and 5G networks)
• More reliability
• Tougher security, with stronger verification and end-to-end encryption
• Network slicing capabilities
Network slicing allows the connection to be partitioned into separate virtual networks with different security and performance guarantees. For example, traffic from a certain application could be given top priority on the network, or low latency or bandwidth could be given precedence.
This means that it’s easier for organizations to align their connectivity with their operational needs. Since each virtual network is isolated from the others, network slicing also boosts security.
5G NSA and 5G SA Compared
| 5G NSA | 5G SA | |
| Median speed in US in Q2 2024 | 170.90 Mbit/s | 364.53 Mbit/s |
| Latency | Higher than 5G SA | Potentially as low as <1 ms |
| Device density | Limited by the underlying 4G network | Up to one million devices within a square kilometer |
| Support for network slicing | No | Yes |
| Device battery performance | Lower performance | Higher performance |
| Security | Weaker than 5G SA | Stronger verification and end-to-end encryption, and isolation of virtual networks |
How Widely Deployed Is 5G SA?
5G has seen massive global growth, with subscriptions estimated to have reached 2.9 billion by the end of 2025. But what does the 5G SA picture look like?
By November 2025, around 360 global providers had launched commercial 5G services, and more than 90 of those had launched or soft-launched 5G SA.
In the US, 5G SA rollout by the major operators is moving ahead quickly. T-Mobile’s early comprehensive deployment is now being followed by complete or ongoing nationwide rollout from other operators like AT&T and Verizon. Ericsson expects Fixed-Wireless Access (FWA) to be a major driver for 5G SA growth in the US, as it allows operators to offer enterprises levels of performance and reliability that can rival fiber connections.
What Industry Use Cases Does 5G SA Support?
5G SA’s performance and latency guarantees, stronger security, and traffic prioritization allow it to be more easily tailored to the needs of different applications compared to earlier mobile technologies.
For the Paris 2024 Olympics, for example, Orange deployed private 5G SA at some of the major event venues and along a 6km stretch of the River Seine. According to Orange, this provided broadcasters with guaranteed ultra-low latency for near-real time reporting of the event, stable high upload speeds for transmitting high-definition coverage, and a more secure connection.
Manufacturing
Factories and manufacturing plants are made up of vast quantities of devices and systems, like digital twins, IoT devices, machines, robots, and automated vehicles. The network slicing capabilities of 5G SA allows manufacturers to connect these together with:
• Ultra-low latency for delay-sensitive systems (for example, if multiple robotic arms are working on component assembly, the synchronization of movement needs to be adjusted in virtually real time to avoid mechanical failure or damage to the product)
• Traffic prioritization for critical applications (like digital twins, which require near-real time transmission of data from real-world machinery for the simulation to be of any use)
• Greater bandwidth to support larger numbers of devices (such as the growing number of IoT devices and sensors across manufacturing plants)
Healthcare
The quality of connectivity in healthcare is becoming more critical, as the sector moves forward with connected devices and remote monitoring and care. 5G SA provides:
• Ultra-low latency for remote surgery, allowing surgeons to control robotic arms with precision and without any perceptible lag in response time
• Better battery life for biosensors and wearable devices that continuously monitor chronic conditions
• Prioritization for critical medical data and communications during emergencies
Autonomous Vehicles
Although most driving decisions are made on board an autonomous vehicle, fast and reliable 5G SA connectivity is needed to provide it with information its sensors can’t yet see (like traffic accidents, road conditions, and the movements of other autonomous vehicles).
There are also times when a human operator might need to take remote control of a driverless vehicle without a lag in response times (for example, if a car encounters a traffic officer using hand signals, or a mining vehicle gets stuck in a confusing zone of operations).
Smart Cities
5G SA helps make smart cities safer and more efficient by:
• Providing a choice of performance guarantees for different applications (such as low bandwidth, but high reliability, for devices like water meters and street lighting, or dedicated and secure network slices for emergency services)
• Offering longer battery life for low-power devices like air-quality and noise sensors
• Supporting the increasing device density that future smart cities will demand
Logistics and Smart Ports
Transport and logistics organizations are increasingly incorporating intelligent systems and connected devices into their operations to improve efficiency and visibility. 5G SA offers:
• Support for a massive density of devices to track the exact locations of assets, and to intelligently monitor inventory and environmental information like temperature and vibration
• Low enough latency for operators to safely and effectively control container cranes remotely without apparent lag
• Tougher security to keep customer and shipment data secure
5G SA Is a Valuable Tool for Navigating Future Uncertainty
The faster speeds of 5G NSA have already had an impact as an enabling technology for enterprises that are digitally transforming. But its influence is limited compared to the potential of 5G SA, which, according to GSMA, could add an extra $4.7 trillion to the global GDP. 5G SA will support valuable new use cases and allow enterprises to explore new opportunities even as they face slowing global economic growth and enter an uncertain future.