5G SA (Standalone)
5G with a 100% 5G core network. Distinct from 5G NSA (Non-Standalone) which uses an LTE core with 5G radio. SA enables network slicing, URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency), private 5G networks. Mass deployment 2023+.
T-Mobile USA: rolled out SA 2020 (first major US carrier). Verizon + AT&T: hybrid SA/NSA. Network slicing feature: carrier carves out a dedicated bandwidth slice for a specific customer (factory floor, healthcare system). Performance gain over NSA: lower latency (5-10ms vs 20-30ms), better battery (5G radio sleeps independently from LTE radio). Private 5G enterprise deployments: Amazon warehouses, Volkswagen factories use private 5G-SA cores for ultra-reliable wireless comms. Modern smartphone: must explicitly support SA — some 2020-2022 5G phones only NSA.