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Latest Testing News Update Date: 20th October 2022 Android 13 - There are some interesting changes The Android 13 update is finally here after a relatively short beta testing program. The latest version will be available in devices gradually, but we have already seen a number of supported devices. You can view the list of available devices here . At SmartViser we understand the importance and additional workload these upgrades bring both manufacturers but also for operators. We understand that: Manufacturers need to ensure that the new OS will not have any significant impact on the performance of the device and cause any unnecessary regression issues. Operators from the other side also carry out significant testing to ensure their end-users continue to get quality devices with superior Quality of Service and Experience in their network. Our viSer test automation solution is compatible with any device with any OS version making it the ideal tool to run benchmark reports, especially when new software or a new OS is available. There is no need to change any of the test scripts or test plans when testing different devices or OS versions. For this Benchmark Report, we have used the Google Pixel 5 device. They have been tested on Orange France and SFR networks. One device had the Android 12 OS and the other was upgraded to the Android 13 OS. So what did we discover? FILE TRANSFER THROUGHPUTS HTTP Downloads and Uploads In terms of the File Transfer throughputs, we see a marginal difference between the two versions with Android 12 performing better both on the HTTP download and upload. Image from Viser Web Services Analytics Studio FTP Downloads and Uploads On the FTP Side again in the downloads, the Android 12 performs better than the Android 13 version, but we saw a difference in the upload speeds with the Android 13 having a better performance there. CALL PERFORMANCE Performed 50 VoLTE calls on Orange Network. Both versions performed very well and had no call drops or failures. Both versions performed very similarly in the call establishment time and the average time is almost identical. MESSAGING SMS/MMS Tested on 25 SMS messages on a 4G network Both versions performed similarly regarding the time to send an SMS. The Android 13 on average had a longer time during the testing we performed but at a very similar level to Android 12. Viser Web Services offer an additional timeline for each SMS time to send metrics. For MMS the testing was performed 25 times. All tests were successful and again the marginal difference between the two OS. WEB LOADING For web browsing testing. Testing was performed in the 4G area for around 30min. All test cases were automated using the same web pages on each device. The average loading time for both OS versions Android 12 and Android 13 was very similar. BATTERY LIFE Finally, we come to the crucial battery life performance. We have performed a number of activities as an end user will do. Both batteries have been used previously and the capacity is below 90%. In terms of performance. Pixel 5 with Android 12 lasted 13h 33min 12s Pixel 5 with Android 13 lasted 13h 16min 21s No impact on the battery performance has been observed with the two different OS. Conclusion We are very pleased to report that during our benchmark testing we have not found a big gap in terms of performance between the two Android versions. It is very important to test thoroughly during major OS upgrades to identify and fix any issues prior to release in the market. Upgrading from Android 12 to Android 13 for the Pixel 5 it did not have any flaws in terms of performance. This is not always the case as in the past we have observed some regression in terms of battery performance but not this time. On the other side, there is no major improvement in the 5 areas we have benchmarked. This was not the main focus for Android as one of the key features the Android 13 brings is mainly around customisation, App language choice, opt-in notifications and battery management. We are happy to arrange a Free Trial of viSer, our Test Automation Solution where device manufacturers can test any device without any limitations on the number of tests or test devices required. Check how Android 13 will impact the performance of your devices. Equally, if you are a Mobile Network Operator with an increased testing workload due to the Android 13 speak to us today on how test automation can help you with the validation and benchmark,

Press Release: SmartViser ensures a strong presence in forthcoming Telecom Events to support development in Africa Date: 20th October 2022 SmartViser an industry leader in test automation products announce a series of events participation in the African region to address the pressing needs of Mobile Network Operators and Regulators in the continent and contribute to their long-term growth and success. With an increasing fast-paced advance in Telecom Technology, Mobile Network Operators and other Telecoms players are looking to assure the quality of new services like IMS, 5G, and VoLTE for solutions, improving their end user's experience while reducing costs and time. SmartViser offers plug-and-play test automation products that are easy to set up and don’t require additional equipment or huge upfront payments for set-up. The innovative solution viSer can convert any device into an automated testing probe allowing to: Validate the quality of mobile services for 2/3/4/5G, IMS, VoLTE, VoWiFi, etc. Enhancing the Customer Experience view using the results from ANY Android device at ANY location Benchmark the network performance against the competition in static and mobility scenarios Evaluate the Voice Quality for Cellular and OTT services with an industry-standard methodology POLQA Deliver world-class automated Device Validation Constantinos Panayiotou, Sales Manager for SmartViser highlights that "SmartViser solutions offer proven results in the region with the successful completion of trials that are now progressing to the next phase. I am confident we can help several operators in the African continent regardless of their size to reduce costs and time while offering a superior Quality of Service and Experience to their end users.” The SmartViser test automation solution, viSer covers over 100 KPIs on a wide number of test cases like voice calls, audio/voice quality MOS score (POLQA TM), data throughput, network coverage, messaging, browsing and much more. It covers all the main key requirements for Regulators in the African region to run campaigns by optimising their testing. Thierry Le Bihan, Business Development Manager for SmartViser adds that "working over the last 12 months with Regulators in the African region we were able to understand their needs and propose a test automation methodology with powerful analytics that provides actionable insights into the performance of local networks. We were thrilled to work and support Regulators in Africa that are looking to further drive the development of the Telecommunications sector” The new SmartViser development strategy for the African region was initially introduced by the Company CEO Gilles Ricordel, during Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona. Meet SmartViser in Africa at the following events during October and November 2022: Mobile World Congress Africa Date: 25-27 October 2022 Venue: Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali, Rwanda Africa Tech Festival Date: 8-10 November 2022 Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town, South Africa Stand B50 Business France Pavilion To arrange a meeting go to: https://www.smartviser.com/events Or email us at: contact@smartviser.com About SmartViser SmartViser with long telecoms expertise and customer-centric innovation has developed the standalone test automation suite viSer that allows OEMs, ODMs, Mobile Operators, MVNOs, Regulators and any company offering Telecom Services to test, benchmark, monitor, troubleshoot or measure QoS/QoE on devices, connectivity, and mobile network technology. SmartViser launched its first ViserMark Label to measure battery life performance translating mAh into straightforward battery life scores. Thus, allowing smartphone manufacturers to improve their battery life performance and offer superior quality of experience for their end-users. Headquartered in Rennes France and with an international presence, we are fully committed to supporting our customers and are proud to collaborate with key players in the industry. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge innovation to help our customers succeed in today’s fast-evolving technologies and environments. You can find more information about SmartViser and its innovative software on the Web at www.smartviser.com and ViserMark at: www.visermark.com Press Contact: info@smartviser.com

The SmartViser Team The SmartViser team attended the MWC Africa in Kigali, Rwanda from the 25th of October to the 27th of October. During this time, we attended a number of keynote sessions and listened to very interesting discussions about 5G technology and Use Cases in Africa. One particular session was called the 5G Summit. Introduction The 5G Summit at MWC Africa brought together leaders and professionals from different governmental authorities, the mobile industry and associated sectors to share their vision and expectations for the 5G technology in Africa. In Africa, the journey to 5G is still in the early stages of network deployment and commercialisation. There are currently less than 11 commercial 5G networks in the region, but this will change as governments and operators in more than 40 countries across Africa expect commercial 5G to be available in their markets by 2025. In the coming years, as stakeholders take steps to accelerate the transition to 5G, we will see the use of the latest mobile network technology to tackle the biggest challenges in local and regional levels. Notes from the 5G Summit Challenges During the 5G Summit, it was obvious that the 5G implementation, monetisation and adoption are very challenging. The 5G technology requires huge investments from mobile network operators with expensive cost models and high prices for acquiring the required spectrum. There are questionable practices on how to migrate subscribers from 2G/3G to more expensive 4G/5G devices since there is a need from all African countries to have access to affordable 5G devices. Also mentioned was that 5G requires more energy than the other technologies, and providing these high-quality services incurred higher costs as remote sites are running on diesel in - conjunction with the current oil prices. One of the slides presented during the session showed that the current live 5G subscriptions in the African continent reached 237K. Therefore, 79% of the mobile subscriptions are still under 2G/3G from the total of ~500M subscribers. Please see below: Approach to 5G adoption in Africa Although several challenges were mentioned and related to the expansion of 5G in Africa, there were more optimistic messages. Stakeholders, like regulators, policymakers, operators and technology vendors, spoke about how they wanted to move forward. Also, regionally, they wish to close the loop towards 5G monetization, innovation and digitalization. The 5G Summit highlighted that 5G technology was not just an ICT/Telecom problem to solve but an ecosystem that requires players outside the traditional stakeholders. The entire spectrum of various industries that will support this ecosystem must be onboard. Support will be needed in the policymaking process, the planning process and network implementation. Use Cases that can address the challenges in the predominantly agriculture-based economies in the region will contribute to a solution. Therefore, 5G is not about rolling out the network but finding the correct Use Case by taking advantage of the innovations that the newest technology can bring. Additionally, there is a lot of momentum with the deployment of private networks to solve local IT problems with local mobile networks. A private network translates to having the power of connectivity in an organization’s own premises, unlocking many new Use Cases, especially in densely populated cities with big enterprises in Africa. Conclusion The 5G summit in MWC in Africa reiterated that the newest technology is not just an evolution from 4G. In Africa, 5G expansion is a social project that requires policy enablement and cross-industrial collaboration. By addressing the right challenges with new Use Cases and distinct private networks, 5G can deliver services across different industries, not previously possible. Do you want to know more or have any questions? Contact us for a Free Trial of viSer Test Automation Please message us to arrange a chat on how test automation or our test services can help you Constantinos Panayiotou is a Sales Manager for SmartViser with extensive international business development and account management helping companies convert telecom challenges into revenue growth. Costantino's primary responsibility is to develop the viSer test automation business in the MEA region and brings more than 18 years of telecom experience of which the last 10 years are in the test and measurement field of mobile networks. Costantinos specializes in test automation and active service assurance fields with multiple years of experience from vendor and operator perspectives. Tests & Measurements for 2/3/4/5G, IoT, and Core networks are some areas of expertise to support organizations improve QoE and QoS.

Rennes, France – December 2022 2022 has been the first year following the success of the vaccine rollout globally which allowed us to travel again and meet after two challenging years. 2022 though, has not started without challenges and the war in Ukraine has been heart-breaking for the people in Ukraine and the surrounding regions. Reflection on 2022 Despite the many challenges that 2022 has brought it has been one of the busiest years for Smart V iser and Viser Ma r k and it has created many opportunities to meet with our customers and partners across the world. We have exhibited in four main events this year starting with the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, then Asia Tech in Singapore, TCCA Critical Communications in Vienna, and ending with Africa Com in Cape Town. In terms of business, we have seen our customer base continue to grow and we have also expanded to new business sectors and geographical regions: Expanded our geographical territory in the Middle East with the first Mobile Network Operator in the region to deploy viSer test automation with very positive feedback. We have expanded our business to new Industries with a particular interest in setting up Private Networks and started working in July 2022 with one of the world's most used Mobile Cores for private LTE and 5G We have welcomed new OEMs using our test automation solution and testing services across our extensive network with local testers available in Europe, the US, and other locations We have continued to support our customers during the SFR certification as an SFR-accredited lab We have entered the African market working with a Regulator in the region and started five trials with Mobile Network Operators. For more on our Africa involvement, you can read the Tech Africa News here and our press release is available here Worked with the EU Commission in defining the policy and testing strategy for the Energy Efficiency Index label. As part of the EEI activity, we participated in the panel discussions organised by Fraunhofer IZM at IFA 2022 in Berlin Lastly following our involvement in Private Networks testing we are now proud members of EUWENA. We will make further announcements on new projects in 2023 including a large utility company and an airport. Stay tuned Our R&D team has been working on several topics and brought some new key features to our test automation solution viSer . Among these were: Further improvement of the Remote Testing Function in our test automation solution viSer means testing can be triggered from any location Released the first iOS version to selected customers and plan to roll it out to more customers in the new year Released a new Web dashboard analytics the Viser Web Services Studio which allows you to build your own dashboard with the data you want to monitor and analyse Enhanced the Audio MOS solution to cover OTT (like Viber, and WhatsApp calls) as well as cellular calls Enhanced 5G capabilities for both SA and NSA And last but not least, we are working on an enhanced version of viSer which includes additional traces, from low-layer information for deeper investigation and troubleshooting. Further announcements on this topic will be made in 2023 Smartphone Battery Life and Energy Efficiency Following the successful launch of Viser Mark in 2020 we have continued to further fine-tune and bring new features that our customers and end users benefit from. In 2021 we have released the world's first Energy Efficiency label for Smartphones. We are now pleased to announce a new label that will show the annual energy consumption of the device. Along the circular and sustainability initiatives across the world, we are all passionate about contributing and making a change. We are looking to empower smartphone manufacturers with test automation products and solutions that will help them create the best products and also help end users make the best choices when buying a new smartphone. You will start seeing the new label from January 2023 on the Viser Mark website and social media channels. In the last couple of years at Smart V iser , we are on a mission to highlight the smartphone battery energy efficiency topic and work with manufacturers across the world to improve battery performance for smartphones and tablets. We are looking to empower smartphone manufacturers with test automation products and solutions that will help them create the best products and also help end users make the best choices when buying a new smartphone. Meet us at MWC 2023 For 2023 will continue for the eighth time to exhibit at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Our stand will be at Hall 5 French Tech Pavilion. If you are planning to attend, please contact us for a meeting to introduce Smart V iser and Viser Mark and demonstrate some of the key features and capabilities. I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone at Smart V iser for your effort, hard work, and commitment. My heartfelt thanks to all our customers, partners and friends for your continued support and trust throughout the year. I wish you all Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful, healthy, and prosperous year in 2023. Kind regards Gilles Ricordel CEO Smart V iser and Viser Mark

Rennes, France – January 2023 The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opened its doors on the 5th of January and takes place at the start of each year in Las Vegas. It’s a great place to see the latest gadgets, must-see products and wacky innovations that could become the future of tech. Once again, the event was both available for virtual and physical visitors. According to the organisers, the number of visitors reached 115,000 which is good to see that attendance is growing after the Covid -19 pandemic. The last show prior to the pandemic in 2020 managed 171,000 attendees. What are the key new and some now so new trends in CES this year: Smartphone contortionist screens are foldable and bendy This year at CES we have seen the screen taking the central point with many manufacturers trying to gain a unique competitive advantage with the screen technology. Foldable and slidable concepts that we have seen in previous years also made an appearance, but the trend seems to be the flexible screens. Samsung has managed to get a lot of attention with their flex hybrid screen which folds and slides. As these were presented by Samsung display unit and Samsung Electronics it may be some time until we see them in the shops. For more information on Samsung flex displays please click here . Credit Image: Samsung Satellite Communications In 2022 Apple has introduced a new feature for the iPhone 14 the Emergency SOS which allows the device to connect to satellites to send emergency texts. Qualcomm announced at the start of 2023 the Snapdragon Satellite which will allow devices to connect and send satellite messages when there is no cellular signal coverage available. Credit Image: Qualcomm Qualcomm according to their press release has partnered with Iridium which already has a communications satellite array in low orbit and allows weather-resilient L-band spectrum for uplink and downlink. Any Android device with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip will be able to send two-way messages using satellites. This means that next-generation devices launched in selected regions initially from the second half of 2023 will have this feature enabled. Their presentation showed that in order for this to work the device should be pointed at the sky and they have promised global pole-to-pole coverage. For more information on Snapdragon Satellite, please visit the Snapdragon Connect page . 5G Progress In all previous years, 5G was the central point of CES but in 2023 it was a low-key affair and did not appear as a major topic in the panels. Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg highlighted the 5G topic in both his keynotes in 2019 and 2021 explaining 5G will enable new use cases from driverless cars to remote surgeries. AT&T and T-Mobile delivered similar keynotes in previous events. In 2023 5G did not feature hardly at all. Most devices now do support 5G and there is scattered coverage by most operators in Europe, the US and Asia but the most innovative and transformative aspects of 5G are still under work and not available yet. The technology that will enable all the promised use cases has not moved to the next level yet. The talk on 6G has already started and we are expecting to see 6G taking the central stage very soon. Meet us at MWC 2023 CES does tend to set the theme for key technology events in 2023. Our next event is the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Smart V iser will be showcasing its innovative products on test automation for device and network testing. Our stand is 5B41-1 in Hall 5 within the French Tech Pavilion. If you are planning to attend, book a meeting with us or please contact us for further information about our Test Automation Solution viSer . Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service with the introduction of innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and in that time has led teams across the world mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings a diverse set of skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016, is part of the internal steering committee , responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

2022 has been the year that Mobile Network Operators have been in a race to put in place roaming agreements with other MNOs. One main drive behind this is the imminent network shutdowns with around 51 operators across the world already completed their shutdown of either 2G or 3G and in some cases both. This change is pushing Mobile Network operators to ensure there is substantial capacity and coverage for new technologies like VoLTE and VoWiFi. The end users on the other hand are encouraged to upgrade their devices to 4G with IMS capabilities. Smartphone manufacturers need to enable IMS services by default on all their devices and ensure adequate testing for smooth interoperability across all networks. You can learn more about the 2G/3G Network shutdown status by reading the recently updated blog As the network shutdowns continue to gain momentum the Mobile Network Operators need to ensure that their end users have the same quality of experience while on the domestic network and abroad. With legacy networks gradually being phased out is it important that the new IMS technologies are fully supported and tested by device manufacturers who are planning to launch devices across the world. SmartViser offers a wide aspect of testing services to ensure Quality of Experience (QoE) and Quality of Service (QoS) for all IMS services with a unique combination of test automation products and test locations across the world. Full IMS Testing Coverage Domestic and Roaming 1) Send your devices to your target country (For the full list of supported countries get in touch ) 2) Define your testing scope or a Test Expert from SmartViser can help you define it 3) Get the results in the agreed timeframe. For any failures, logs will be provided and re-testing can be arranged with the team. Top Categories for IMS testing Domestic and Roaming VoLTE , VoWiFi, ViLTE, including Audio voice MOS score POLQA SMS, MMS over IP, RCS Supplementary services Emergency Calls For more in-depth information on VoLTE roaming testing, you can check GSMA IR25 VoLTE Roaming Testing v5.0 Do you want to know more?

Introduction Voice Quality is a key metric for end-user experience and many Mobile Network Operators and Regulators alike see it as a measure of service of excellence. It is true that nowadays assessment of Audio MOS quality or voice experience evaluation is part of all regulator's assessments across the world. With the various transitions of technology from circuit switch 2G and 3G voice services to packet switch services with the introduction of Voice over Long-Term Evolution (VoLTE) and soon Voice over New Radio (VoNR) is important to assess the voice experience on all these technologies. The usage of Over the top (OTT) voice Apps services like WhatsApp and Viber is also stronger than ever posing an additional requirement for Regulators and Mobile Network Operators or communication service providers (CSPs) to assess the voice MOS scope of these technologies as well. At SmartViser we have run an extensive testing campaign using our test automation product viSer together with our audio MOS solution using POLQA algorithm to assess the voice experience and speech quality MOS using three devices: iPhone 14 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Testing Configuration Testing has been performed under the SFR network in Rennes France in February 2023. The testing environment was static and the following cellular and OTT technologies and voice services were tested: 3G VoLTE VoWiFi WhatsApp Viber Microsoft Teams 15 calls were performed in each technology for each manufacturer. The OTT tests were conducted on a cellular network using auto network selection. The devices were not forced to select a particular codec or technology in order to emulate a realistic user experience. viSer test automation was used to ensure all the KPIs are collected, reliability, and repeatability of the testing. Together with ViSer test automation the add-on viSer Audio MOS solution using the POLQA algorithm was also used for the accurate measurement of the audio quality. POLQA™ MOS scores: Score 1: means that despite great effort, it is impossible to understand what is being said during the call (the call repeatedly cuts in and out) Score 2: means the quality is not good and a lot of effort is needed to understand Score 3: indicates an acceptable level of quality and fairly understandable conversation Score 4: is a good quality level, understandable with minor interference noise Score 5: is an excellent quality level, understandable discussion without interference noise Results 3G iPhone 14 Pro Pixel 7 Pro Samsung S22 Ultra Average MOS 3.08 3.36 3.39 Min MOS 2.69 2.72 2.85 Max MOS 3.8 3.59 3.88 At 3G both Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra had a similar performance whilst the iPhone 14 Pro had an average score of 10% less. A score of around 3 indicates an acceptable level of quality and fairly understandable conversation. When the score drops below 3 it impacts the end-user experience negatively as a lot of effort is needed to understand what is being spoken. VoLTE iPhone 14 Pro Pixel 7 Pro Samsung S22 Ultra Average MOS 3.27 4.17 3.58 Min MOS 3.13 3.99 3.49 Max MOS 3.37 4.31 3.65 For the VoLTE part, it was surprising that both iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra were below 4 on average. An average of 3.8 and above is normally expected for VoLTE calls but this can vary depending on devices and mobile network operators. Pixel 7 Pro performed very well on VoLTE calls. VoWiFi iPhone 14 Pro Pixel 7 Pro Samsung S22 Ultra Average MOS 3.23 3.86 3.41 Min MOS 2.67 3.45 2.8 Max MOS 3.44 4.12 3.62 On The VoWiFi we have seen similar values to VoLTE with the Pixel 7 Pro consistently performing better than the iPhone 14 Pro and the Samsung S22 Ultra. WhatsApp iPhone 14 Pro Pixel 7 Pro Samsung S22 Ultra Average MOS 4.06 4.25 3.94 Min MOS 3.89 4.16 3.22 Max MOS 4.16 4.3 4.26 For the WhatsApp assessment, we have seen excellent results from all three manufacturers. An average close to 4 is a very good result and offers a really good Quality of Experience. Viber iPhone 14 Pro Pixel 7 Pro Samsung S22 Ultra Average MOS 3.08 3.35 3.48 Min MOS 3.04 3.3 3.42 Max MOS 3.16 3.42 3.54 Viber had slightly lower average scores with some minimum scores reaching 3 which means the quality is not good and a lot of effort is needed to understand. Again both Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung S22 Ultra had similar results with the iPhone 14 Pro falling slightly behind. Microsoft Teams iPhone 14 Pro Pixel 7 Pro Samsung S22 Ultra Average MOS 3.70 4.01 4.04 Min MOS 3.51 3.95 3.91 Max MOS 3.83 4.07 4.13 For Microsoft Teams we see a similar average across all manufacturers to 4 indicates a good quality level. Conclusion For the majority of the testing, there were no big surprises. Both Pixel 7 and the Samsung S22 Ultra had really good performance all around with the Apple 14 Pro slightly behind. WhatsApp is offering the best quality of experience on Voice Calls across the three manufacturers tested with average scores close to 4, offering a good QoE. This testing provides a short snapshot of the quality at a certain time with one Mobile Network Operator. Further testing will be planned with additional Mobile Network Operators and smartphone devices and results will be shared in the coming months. While our benchmark results demonstrate the capabilities of our test automation solution, viSer, it's important to note that determining which smartphone offers a better voice quality experience is not an absolute conclusion. To find out more about SmartViser and schedule a demo of the products and solutions you get in touch now to arrange. To arrange a free trial please click below. Once the request is received a team member will get in touch to set up a call to discuss your main challenges that need to be addressed with the trial.

Many Mobile Network operators across the world have already shut down 3G and 2G to make room for new technologies like 4G and 5G. As operators have a limited range of radio frequencies they are reallocating to more advanced cellular technologies as they can provide better data throughput and additional features that add value to new use cases. In addition to that 2G and 3G rely on older technology which is significantly less efficient than 4G and 5G which provide more reliable and faster services. There is no universal date for when these shutdowns are happening as each Mobile Network Operator can decide based on their business needs and technology goals. The network shutdowns are expected to affect end users using older mobile devices without VoLTE or 5G capabilities as well as those who are traveling to countries where there are no roaming agreements in place for VoLTE/VoWiFi calls. Learn more about the challenges and global updates of 2G/3G Network sunsets Africa i s still in the process of reallocation of the spectrum to accommodate the LTE launch. Up until very recently, it was the only region where no 2G or 3G shutdowns have been announced with the exception of Operators in South Africa. The network sunset will be part of future planning though once newer technologies penetrate more. According to Connecting Africa , "SA government published a draft policy proposing the shutdown of 2G networks by June 2024 and a sunset of 3G by March 2025" DCDT Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, said at a press briefing in 2022 "Acknowledging that spectrum is a finite resource, the adoption of more advanced technologies for economic growth must be matched by a deliberate program to retire old technologies to ensure more spectrum is made available for the country to achieve our objective of offering all South Africans high-speed broadband.Thus this policy proposal sunset of 2G and 3G networks with the aim of availing more spectrum to support deployments of 5G and beyond technologies," For Asia , 2G in countries like Japan was phased out a long time ago. The trend will continue with other countries and operators. There are around 29 operators who are looking to shut down 2G by 2025 and 16 shutting down 3G by 2025. Notably, Tawain closed 2G almost 6 years ago. All Mobile Network Operators in Singapore, Macau, and South Korea have also already sunsetted their 2G networks. According to Telecom Review Asia The Indonesia Ministry of Communications and Information KemKominfo has urged operators to Unwind 3G Offerings. The phasing out of 3G takes priority over the decommissioning of 2G as the former will be superseded by more effective 4G and 5 PartnerTaiwan G, while the latter is primarily used for voice communications. Status of Africa Network 2G/3G Shutdowns C ​Country Network Operator 2G 3G South Africa MTN ​ By end 2026 South Africa Vodacom By end 2025 By end 2023 South Africa Telkom Started By end 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ Status of Asia Network 2G/3G Shutdowns Country Network Operator 2G 3G Bangladesh Grameenphone By end 2025 By end 2026 Cambodia Smart Axiata ​ By 2023 China China Unicom By 2025 By 2025 China China Mobile By 2025 By 2025 Hong Kong China Mobile No Service ​ Hong Kong Hutchison Telecommunications No Service ​ Hong Kong SmarTone No Service ​ India Bharti Airtel By 2023 ​ India Vodafone ​ By 2022 India BSNL ​ By 2024 Indonesia XL Axiata By 2022 By 2022 Indonesia Telkomsel ​ By 2023 Indonesia Indosat Ooredoo ​ By 2022 Israel Cellcom By 2025 By 2025 Israel Golan ​ By 2025 Israel Pertner By 2025 By 2025 Japan KDDI No Service By 2022 Japan Softbank No Service By 2024 Japan NTT Docomo No Service By 2026 ​ ​ ​ ​ Country Operator 2G 3G Malaysia Maxis ​ Closed 2021 Malaysia Celcom ​ Closed 2021 Malaysia U Mobile ​ Closed 2021 Malaysia Digi ​ Closed 2021 Myanmar Telenor By 2024 By 2025 Myanmar Mytel (Vietter) ​ No Service Nepal Nepal Telecom ​ Closed 2021 Pakistan Telenor By 2025 By 2025 Pakistan Mobilink ​ By 2023 Singapore M1 No Service ​ Singapore Singtel No Service ​ Singapore Starhub No Service ​ Sri Lanka Dialog Axiata ​ By 2022 Taiwan Chunghwa Closed 2017 By 2024 Taiwant FarEasTone Closed 2017 By 2024 Taiwan Taiwan Mobile Closed 2014 Closed 2019 Thailand DTAC ​ By 2025 Vietnam Viettel ​ By 2022 Vietnam Mobifone ​ By 2022 Vietnam GTEL Mobile ​ By 2022 Please note that data has been collected during March 2023 from various sources and is subject to change based on each Mobile Network O perator's schedule and timelines. 3G Al How can SmartViser Help? Empower your team with the Test Automation Solution viSer to ensure superior Quality of Service QoS and Quality of Experience QoE. Test all key functions like VoLTE, VoWiFi, Data throughput, Audio MOS, Battery performance etc in live network or roaming conditions: Join our SmartViser Mailing List. Stay up-to-date with all the latest SmartViser testing, Performance Results and Reports. Just Subscribe to get interesting content to your inbox. Do you want to know more? Contact us for a Free Trial of viSer Test Automation Please message us to arrange a chat on how test automation or our test services can help you Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service with the introduction of innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and in that time has led teams across the world mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings a diverse set of skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016, is part of the internal steering committee , responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

Press Release: SmartViser has joined EUWENA to support the measurement and improvement of the QoE and QoS of Private and Public networks across the world. 5G has enabled cutting-edge private wireless networks for various verticals thanks to its ability to fulfil demanding KPIs earlier standards could not. Date: 10th May 2023 SmartViser offers innovative test automation solutions for Public and Private Mobile network organisations looking to optimise testing, measure and improve the Quality of Experience, and reduce testing costs. The introduction of new technologies like 5G allows organisations to use private networks to connect devices and machines within their facilities, enabling them to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs. Private networks offer several benefits, including reliability, higher bandwidth, lower latency, increased flexibility, and lowered costs. SmartViser offers plug-and-play test automation called viSer , which converts any device into a probe offering a series of automated mobile tests supporting over 100 KPIs allowing to: Evaluate the Voice Quality for Cellular, OTT, Push To Talk services with the industry standard methodology POLQA Evaluate the network performance, speed, quality, capacity, and coverage Benchmark network performance between Private and Public mobile networks Measure data performance, FTP/HTTP (Upload, Download, Bi-Directional) Perform speed testing Monitor and Measure latency Validate connectivity on any technology 2G/3G/4G/5G/ WiFi Evaluate as well the device's performance to ensure the right interoperability between devices and networks SmartViser’s CEO Gilles Ricordel remarked: “We are looking forward to working together with EUWENA for the broader adoption of feature-rich private mobile networks across Europe adding value to enterprises and the wider society. We fully support and are aligned with EUWENA’s mission in promoting the adoption of private mobile networks in Europe”. About EUWENA EUWENA (European Users Wireless Enterprise Network Association) was set up in April 2021, following a series of parallel conversations during early 2021 between private mobile networks pioneer Christian Regnier and critical communications industry experts Peter Clemons and Koen Mioulet, who recognised the urgent need for a European-level initiative to promote the greater uptake of 3GPP-based private mobile networks. Christian, Peter and Koen were joined from the beginning by Antoine van der Sijs, Christopher Gehlen, Kerim Agdaci, Shaun McGinley and Thomas Hervieu, with the support and attendance of Tony Boyle and Johann Schmid at the inaugural meeting in March 2021. Rapidly other actors in this ecosystem joined the association, like SmartViser. Today EUWENA has more than 30 members, including the board, representing 9 countries (Poland, Belgium, and Sweden added to the list). One of the goals is to show the needs of European verticals to be more competitive and efficient through the best connectivity for their operations, like the 5G Private mobile networks. Another action, in addition to making itself known to the EU and European regulators in order to obtain harmonization of these frequency spectrums, is to facilitate the development of private 5G networks by showing members and verticals where they can obtain spectrum, what spectrum and at what price. This is the spectrum repository posted on the Euwena website and updated regularly. For more information, Visit https://www.euwena.eu/ About SmartViser SmartViser, with long telecoms expertise and customer-centric innovation, has developed the standalone test automation suite viSer that allows OEMs, ODMs, Mobile Operators, MVNOs, Regulators and any company offering Telecom Services to test, benchmark, monitor, troubleshoot or measure QoS/QoE on devices, connectivity, and mobile network technology. SmartViser launched its first ViserMark Label to measure battery life performance translating mAh into straightforward battery life scores. Thus, allowing smartphone manufacturers to improve their battery life performance and offer superior quality of experience for their end-users. Headquartered in Rennes, France and with an international presence, we are fully committed to supporting our customers and are proud to collaborate with key players in the industry. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge innovation to help our customers succeed in today’s fast-evolving technologies and environments. You can find more information about SmartViser and its innovative software on the Web at www.smartviser.com and ViserMark at: www.visermark.com Press Contact: info@smartviser.com

6G potential capabilities and use cases explained We have not yet finished implementing and deploying 5G networks, but the industry has already started preparing the next generation of Mobile Technologies, the 6G. Mobile Network Evolution - How We Got From 1G To Beyond 5G? Mobile Networks have evolved significantly, progressing through generations to meet the increasing demands for faster data speeds, lower latency, improved reliability, and enhanced connectivity. 1G (First Generation): In the 1980s, 1G Networks were analogue-based and provided basic voice calling capabilities. These are characterised by low-quality voice transmission and limited coverage. 2G (Second Generation) : Introduced in the 1990s, 2G Networks were digital and brought significant improvements over 1G. They introduced features like text messaging (SMS) , allowing more efficient spectrum use. 3G (Third Generation) : In the early 2000s, 3G Networks brought faster data speeds and enabled mobile internet access. They supported video calling, mobile web browsing, and multimedia streaming services. 4G (Fourth Generation) : Deployed in the late 2000s, 4G Networks significantly improved data speeds, capacity, and overall performance. They enabled the widespread adoption of services like high-definition video streaming, mobile gaming, and video conferencing. 5G (Fifth Generation) : Introduced in the 2010s, 5G Networks represent a substantial leap in mobile technology. 5G offers significantly faster data speeds, ultra-low latency, massive device connectivity, and network slicing capabilities. It enables new applications like autonomous vehicles, IoT deployments, augmented (AR), and virtual reality (VR). 5G utilises advanced technologies such as mmWave (millimeter wave) and Massive MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) to achieve its performance targets. 6G (Sixth Generation) of wireless technology, following 5G. It is still under development, but it is expected to offer significant improvements over 5G in terms of speed, capacity, and latency . Each new generation of Mobile Networks has brought significant advancements, transforming how people communicate, access information, and interact with digital services. These evolutions have driven innovation across various industries, enabling new business models and opportunities for economic growth. Key Features and Benefits of 6G Some of the key features of 6G that are being investigated include: Higher frequencies: 6G is expected to use higher frequencies than 5G, such as the terahertz band. This will allow for much higher data rates and pose challenges, such as shorter range and higher attenuation. Massive MIMO: 6G is expected to use massive MIMO, a technique that utilises many antennas to transmit and receive signals. This will allow for more efficient spectrum use and improved performance in crowded areas. Advanced signal processing: 6G is expected to use advanced signal processing techniques to improve performance in challenging environments, such as those with high interference levels. New networking architectures: 6G is expected to use new networking architectures that are more scalable and efficient than those used in 5G. The potential benefits of 6G include: Ultra-high speeds: 6G is expected to offer data rates of up to 1 Tbps, 1000 times faster than 5G. This will enable new applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and real-time video streaming. Ultra-low latency: 6G is expected to offer less than 1-microsecond latency, which is 1000 times lower than 5G. This will enable new applications such as self-driving cars and remote surgery. Massive connectivity: 6G is expected to support many devices, such as billions of connected sensors. This will enable new applications like the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities. The commercial launch of 6G is not expected until the early 2030s. However, research and development are underway, and some countries have announced plans to start testing 6G Networks. 6G User Cases The identification of 6G use cases is key to predicting major future technological trends, and according to MGMN Alliance : " A total of 50 use cases were identified, categorised into 4 Classes: Enhanced Human Communication, Enhanced Machine Communication, Enabling Services, Network Evolution. " 1. Immersive Extended Reality (XR) : 6G is expected to enhance the capabilities of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) applications. It could enable highly immersive XR experiences with ultra-high-resolution visuals, realistic haptic feedback, and seamless real-time interactions. 2. Holographic Communications : 6G Networks may enable advanced holographic communications, allowing people to project and interact with realistic 3D holograms of individuals or objects in real time. This could revolutionise teleconferencing, remote collaboration, and virtual presence experiences. Technology blogger and influencer Bernard Marr predicts : “ Instead of spending hours on 2D Zoom or Teams meetings, we will meet in 3D digital spaces, where our avatars will have ‘real’ eye contact,” “We will be able to meet in groups and even express body language in real-time. " 3. Ultra-High-Definition Content Streaming : With the increased data speeds and capacity of 6G, streaming services could deliver content in even higher resolutions and quality. This could include 8K or higher resolution videos, high-fidelity audio streaming, and seamless multi-angle and multi-camera experiences. 4. Internet of Things (IoE) at Scale: 6G is expected to support massive-scale deployments of IoE devices, enabling billions or even trillions of connected devices. This could facilitate smart cities, industrial automation, precision agriculture, and a wide range of IoE applications with ultra-reliable and low-latency connectivity. According to Khan et al.: " Internet of everything (IoE)-based smart services are expected to gain immense popularity in the future, which raises the need for next-generation wireless networks. Although fifth-generation (5G) Networks can support various IoE services, they might not be able to completely fulfill the requirements of novel applications. Sixth-generation (6G) wireless systems are envisioned to overcome 5G Network limitations. " 5. Autonomous Systems and Robotics : 6G Networks could significantly advance autonomous systems, including self-driving vehicles, drones, and robotics. The ultra-low latency and high-speed communication capabilities enable real-time data exchange and decision-making, enhancing safety and efficiency. 6. Smart Infrastructure and Energy Management : 6G could enable intelligent and interconnected infrastructure systems, such as smart grids, smart transportation networks smart buildings. This would optimise resource allocation, improve energy efficiency, and support sustainable development. Ericsson has produced interesting research on Designing a sensor-driven world with zero-energy devices . 7. Healthcare and Rehab: 6G could revolutionise healthcare delivery by enabling remote surgeries, real-time monitoring of patients, and telemedicine applications with high-resolution video and haptic feedback for doctors. It could extend healthcare access to remote areas and improve patient outcomes. The UK government has released a paper on Wireless 2030 exploring the theoretical outlook and expected level of maturity. For Healthcare Monitoring, they have rated higher than performing procedures by 2030. Similarly, in Germany , Vodafone Germany is co-investing in 6G R&D, taking a public-private partnership approach in the health sector. 6G Health , announced in October 2022 and running to 2025, has a total of €12.87m, with 75% contributed by Germany’s Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Ministry of Education & Research/BMBF). A “ modern ” 6G network, the BMBF said, “ opens up a wide range of perspectives and can make a decisive contribution to increasing quality of life and relieving the burden on the healthcare sector ”. It's important to note that these use cases are speculative and based on the anticipated capabilities of 6G technology. As research and development progress, new use cases may emerge, and industry needs and technological advancements will further define the specific applications of 6G. How can SmartViser help? SmartViser has been supporting several Mobile Network operators worldwide in their challenge to successfully deploy 5G Networks. Some of the areas SmartViser's Test Automation solution can support are: Network performance testing : This involves testing the performance of the 5G network, including throughput, latency, and reliability. User experience testing : This involves testing the user experience of 5G services, such as streaming video or playing games, to ensure that they meet user expectations and provide a superior quality of experience. Network coverage testing : This involves testing the coverage of the 5G network in different locations and environments to ensure that it provides reliable service to users. Do you want to know more? Available Until September 2023 Press Contact: Email: info@smartviser.com Author: Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser, helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service by introducing innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and, in that time, has led teams across the world, mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings diverse skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016 and is part of the internal steering committee responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organisations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

As Mobile Networks Continue to Evolve, we are Exploring the Main Differences between 5G and 4G. 5G Networks were first introduced in 2019 and were expected to enable a wide range of new services and applications. Before we go into more depth, the different Mobile Network generations refer to the different stages of mobile network technology development. There have been several generations of mobile network technology, including: 1G (1980s) The first generation of mobile networks, 1G, was introduced in the early 1980s. It used analogue technology and offered very limited data speeds, typically around 2.4 kbps. 1G Networks were primarily used for voice calls and did not support data services. 2G (1990s) The second generation of Mobile Networks, 2G, was introduced in the late 1990s. It used digital technology and offered much faster data speeds, typically around 64 kbps. 2G Networks were the first to support data services such as SMS and MMS. 3G (2000s) The third generation of Mobile Networks, 3G, was introduced in the early 2000s. It used a variety of technologies, including UMTS, CDMA2000, and TD-SCDMA. 3G Networks offered much faster data speeds than 2G, typically around 144 kbps to 2 Mbps. 3G Networks also supported a wider range of data services, such as mobile internet browsing, video streaming, and mobile gaming. 4G (2010s) The fourth generation of Mobile Networks, 4G, was introduced in the late 2010s. It uses the LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology and offers data speeds of up to 1 Gbps. 4G Networks also support a wider range of data services, such as ultra-high-definition video streaming, virtual reality, and augmented reality. 5G (2020s) The fifth generation of Mobile Networks, 5G, is the latest and most advanced generation of Mobile Networks. It uses various technologies, including mmWave and sub-6 GHz, and offers data speeds of up to 10 Gbps. 5G Networks also support a wider range of data services, such as real-time, low-latency applications such as self-driving cars and remote surgery. The evolution of Mobile Networks has had a profound impact on our lives. It has made it possible to stay connected with friends and family no matter where we are and has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for businesses and consumers. As 5G networks continue to roll out, we can expect to see even more exciting innovations in the future. Each new generation of Mobile Network technology has introduced new features and capabilities and has enabled new use cases and applications. 5G is expected to enable many new services and applications, such as augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and remote surgery. Where 5G and 4G are Most Widely Available? There has been a lot of progress in the last few years regarding technology availability. Read more details in our 5G Rollout Status blog. Some countries have made more advanced progress than others. According to Statista , the top 8 countries are: South Korea Saudi Arabia Kuwait Hong Kong USA Thailand Tawain Italy Source : Statista A recent report by Mobile Magazine identifies the top 10 countries with the most extensive 5G networks regarding subscriber uptake, latency, and speed. The availability of 5G is constantly changing. Here are some of the factors that contribute to the availability of 5G in a country: The country's regulatory environment The investment made by mobile operators The availability of spectrum The population density As 5G technology continues to mature, we expect it to become more widely available in more countries worldwide. 5G Speed Versus 4G and 3G 5G is generally faster than both 4G and 3G Networks. While the actual speeds can vary depending on network coverage, device capability, and network congestion, 5G is designed to deliver significantly higher data speeds and lower latency compared to its predecessors. Here's a general comparison of the expected speeds: 3G : 3G Networks typically offer download speeds ranging from a few megabits per second (Mbps) to around 10 Mbps, with latency ranging from tens to hundreds of milliseconds. 4G: 4G Networks substantially improved data speeds, offering download speeds in the range of tens to hundreds of Mbps. Peak speeds could reach up to several hundred Mbps, depending on the network conditions. Latency was significantly reduced compared to 3G, typically ranging from tens to tens of milliseconds. 5G: 5G Networks are designed to provide significantly faster speeds than 4G. Theoretically, 5G can deliver download speeds of up to multiple gigabits per second (Gbps). In practical scenarios, 5G speeds can vary but generally range from a few hundred Mbps to several gigabits per second, depending on network coverage, frequency bands, and network capacity. Latency is also significantly reduced in 5G, typically in the single-digit milliseconds range. It's important to note that the actual speeds experienced by users may vary depending on various factors, including network deployment, spectrum availability, distance from cell towers, and network congestion. Individual device capabilities and network coverage can also impact the achievable speeds. 5G offers faster data speeds and lower latency than 4G and 3G networks, enabling a wide range of applications requiring high bandwidth and real-time responsiveness. Statista has also provided data from deployed networks on speed between 5G and 4G networks. Source : Statista A good example of the speed difference can be seen below: How can SmartViser Help Benchmark 5G and 4G Networks and Performance? 5G testing is critical to developing and deploying 5G Networks and services. SmartViser has been supporting several Mobile Network operators worldwide in their challenge to successfully deploy 5G Networks. Some of the areas SmartViser's Test Automation solution can support: Network performance testing: This involves testing the performance of the 5G Network, including throughput, latency, and reliability. User experience testing: This involves testing the user experience of 5G services, such as streaming video or playing games, to ensure that they meet user expectations and provide a superior quality of experience. Network coverage testing: This involves testing the coverage of the 5G Network in different locations and environments to ensure that it provides reliable service to users. With the innovative Viser Analytics Studio, you can use the interactive dashboard to analyse real-time results. Do You Want To Know More? Press Contact: Email: info@smartviser.com Author: Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser, helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service by introducing innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and, in that time, has led teams across the world, mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings diverse skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016 and is part of the internal steering committee responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

One-third of the world's population will likely be covered by 5G Networks by 2025. There will be a significant Influence on the mobile sector and its clients. More than just a new technology generation, 5G heralds a new era in which connection will advance in fluidity and flexibility. Applications will adapt to 5G Networks, and performance will match user requirements. According to GSMA : "5G will account for as many as 1.2 billion connections by 2025" The global deployment of 5G Networks is progressing rapidly. As of July 2023, there are 85 countries with commercial 5G services, and over 1 billion 5G devices have been shipped. The top 5 countries with the most 5G Networks are: China United States South Korea Japan United Kingdom Other countries with significant 5G deployments include Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, India, and Brazil. The 5G ecosystem is also growing rapidly. There are now over 2,000 5G-enabled smartphones on the market, and the number of 5G-enabled devices is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2025. The growth of 5G is driven by several factors, including the increasing demand for high-speed mobile data, the growing popularity of 5G-enabled devices, and the investments made by network operators. 5G is expected to significantly impact how we live and work. It will enable new applications and services in various sectors, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and transportation. Here are some of the key benefits of 5G: Ultra-fast speeds: 5G can deliver speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which is 100 times faster than 4G. This will enable new applications and services requiring high-speed data, such as virtual, augmented, and cloud gaming. Low latency: 5G has very low latency, meaning data can be transmitted and received quickly. This will be essential for real-time communication applications like self-driving cars and remote surgery. Massive capacity: 5G can support a much larger number of devices than 4G. This will be important for applications that require many connected devices, such as smart cities and the Internet of Things. The global deployment of 5G is still in its early stages but progressing rapidly. 5G is expected to have a major impact on how we live and work, and it will likely become the dominant mobile technology in the coming years. 5G Standalone (SA) and 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) Source: IEEE ComSoc 5G Standalone (SA) and 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) are different deployment options for 5G Networks. 5G Standalone (SA) : SA refers to a fully independent 5G Network architecture that doesn't rely on previous cellular technology. It operates solely on the 5G infrastructure, including the core network, radio access network (RAN), and user devices. In SA, the core network is built specifically for 5G, which enables the full potential of the technology and its advanced features, such as network slicing, ultra-low latency, and massive machine-type communication. SA networks offer improved performance and greater flexibility compared to NSA networks. 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) : NSA is an early deployment option that allows 5G to be introduced while leveraging existing 4G infrastructure. In NSA, the 5G radio access network (RAN) is added as an extension to the existing 4G core network. The core network remains 4G-based, and the 5G RAN provides additional capacity and speed enhancements. NSA enables faster rollout of 5G services since it leverages the existing infrastructure but doesn't fully exploit the capabilities of 5G. It's important to note that both SA and NSA deployments exist to cater to different scenarios and transition periods. NSA deployments allow for a faster introduction of 5G services, especially in areas where 5G coverage is limited. On the other hand, SA deployments are considered the ultimate goal for 5G networks, providing the full potential and capabilities of the technology. Over time, as 5G Networks mature and expand, the industry is moving toward a greater emphasis on SA deployments to unlock the full benefits of 5G technology. Feature 5G Standalone (SA) 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) Core network New 5G packet core network Existing 4G LTE core network Control signalling 5G RAN connects directly to the 5G core network 5G RAN connects to the 4G core network for control signalling Performance Higher performance and lower latency Lower performance and higher latency Availability Not yet widely available More widely available Core network: The core network is the central part of a cellular network, responsible for routing traffic and providing services such as voice, data, and messaging. In 5G SA, the core network is entirely new and dedicated to 5G. This allows for higher performance and lower latency. In 5G NSA, the core network is the same as the 4G LTE core network. This means 5G NSA networks can only offer the same performance as 4G LTE networks. Control signalling: Control signalling is the data used to manage the network, such as routing traffic and setting up connections. In 5G SA, the 5G RAN connects directly to the 5G core network for control signalling. This allows for faster and more efficient control signalling. In 5G NSA, the 5G RAN connects to the 4G core network for control signalling. This means that control signalling must be routed through the 4G core network, which can add latency. Performance: 5G SA networks perform better than 5G NSA networks, as 5G SA networks have a dedicated core network and faster control signalling. 5G SA networks can also offer lower latency than 5G NSA networks. Availability: 5G SA networks are not yet widely available. This is because they require new core network equipment. 5G NSA networks are more widely available, as they can be deployed on existing 4G LTE infrastructure. Overall, 5G SA is the more advanced and future-proof technology. However, 5G NSA is more widely available and can offer some of the benefits of 5G. Detailed 5G NR Band Country List* Country Operator Network Bands Commercial SA Australia Optus n1, n3, n40, n78, n8 YES ​ Telstra n78, n5 ​ ​ Vodafone n28, n78 YES Austria ​A1 n28, n78 ​ ​ Drei n28, n78 YES ​ Magenta ​n1, n28, n78 ​ Canada Bell n78, n66 ​ ​ Rogers n66, n71, n41, n78, n71 YES ​ Telus n78, n66 ​ ​ Eastlink n78, n71 ​ China China Mobile n28, n41, n79 ​ ​ China Telecom n78 YES ​ China Unicom n1, n78, n8 YES Finland DNA n28, n78 ​ ​ Elisa n28, n78 ​ ​ Telia n28, n78, FWA YES France Bouygues n1, n78 ​ ​ Free n1, n78 ​ ​ Orange n1, n78 ​ ​ Orange n1, n78 ​ Germany 1&1 n78 ​ ​ Telefonica n3, n28, n78 YES ​ Telekom n1, n28, n78 ​ ​ Vodafone n3, n28, n78 YES Country Operator Network Bands Commercial SA Italy Fastweb n78, FWA YES ​ Illiad n28, n78 ​ ​ ​OpNet n78, FWA YES ​ TIM n1, n28, n78 ​ ​ ​Vodafone n1, n28, n78, FWA ​ ​ Wind Tre n3, n7, n78 ​ Japan Au n28, n78, n257, n77 ​ ​ NTT Docomo n78, n79, n257 YES ​ Rakuten Mobile n78, n257, n77 ​ ​ Softbank n257, n77 Yes Qatar Ooredoo n78, ​ ​ Vodafone n78 ​ Country Operator Network Bands Commercial SA United Kingdom 3 n1, n28, n78, FWA ​ ​ EE n1, n28, n78, n7, n3 ​ ​ ​O2 n28, n78 ​ ​ Vodafone n1, n8, n78 YES United States AT&T n2, n5, n66, n77 ​ ​ T-Mobile n25, n41, n71, n77 ​ ​ ​Verizon n2, n5, n77 ​ ​ US Cellular ​n71, n77 ​ * List updated July 2023 Do you want to know more about how SmartViser can help you with your 5G deployments? Press Contact: Email: info@smartviser.com Author: Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser, helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service by introducing innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and, in that time, has led teams across the world, mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings diverse skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016 and is part of the internal steering committee responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.