Denmark has entered a new era of connectivity with the launch of the first 5G Standalone (5G SA) network in the country. The network is a result of a collaboration between TDC NET, the leading digital infrastructure provider in Denmark, and Ericsson, the global leader in 5G technology.
What is 5G Standalone and why is it important?
5G Standalone is the next generation of 5G technology, which does not rely on the existing 4G infrastructure. It provides lower latency, higher efficiency, better spectrum utilization, more reliable connectivity, and lower device battery consumption than other networks. It also enables new use cases for consumers, enterprises, industries, and critical IoT applications.
5G Standalone also facilitates network slicing, which allows operators to create customized virtual networks for different customer segments and services. For example, network slicing can enable smart manufacturing, remote healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and mission-critical operations by authorities.
5G Standalone is a big step forward for communications service providers as it enables a more flexible and agile approach to service creation and provision for subscribers.
How did TDC NET and Ericsson achieve this milestone?
TDC NET and Ericsson have been working together to bring 5G to Denmark since 2019. In September 2020, they launched the first non-standalone (NSA) 5G network in Denmark, which worked alongside the existing 4G infrastructure provided by Ericsson.
The transition from NSA to 5G SA network was enabled by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core solution, which supports both NSA and SA architectures. This solution allows operators to smoothly migrate from NSA to SA without disrupting the existing services or requiring additional hardware investments.
TDC NET and Ericsson have also adopted cloud-native software architecture, which leads to fast and reliable service innovation for subscribers using TDC NET’s 5G network. The cloud-native approach also improves efficiency and network performance.
What are the benefits of 5G Standalone for Denmark?
The launch of 5G Standalone network in Denmark will enhance the regional 5G ecosystem and accelerate innovation across various sectors. It will also unlock exciting possibilities for consumers and businesses.
One of the key benefits of 5G SA will be improved speed capabilities. Over a 5G SA network, TDC NET and Ericsson have already achieved an impressive 7 Gbps downlink peak throughput in a live site environment that has been equipped with Ericsson Radio System products supporting millimeter wave and mid-band spectrum. This was achieved by enabling New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) mode through Ericsson’s 5G Core and high modulation scheme.
Another benefit of 5G SA will be energy efficiency improvements. A 5G trial at the Tour de France 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark used Ericsson Massive MIMO radios on 5G TDD (time division duplex) spectrum. It delivered up to 13 times more data with the same energy consumption compared to LTE FDD (frequency division duplex).
What are the future plans of TDC NET and Ericsson?
TDC NET and Ericsson are committed to delivering the best 5G experience to their customers in Denmark. They will continue to expand the coverage and capacity of their 5G SA network, as well as introduce new features and services that leverage the full potential of 5G technology.
Jakob Dirksen CTO of TDC NET, says: “We were the first to introduce 5G in Denmark and now we are taking the next big step by switching on 5G Standalone. This will offer consumers, enterprises and industries enhanced efficiency, safety, and a range of opportunities across everything from self-driving cars, remote work, healthcare, as well as mission-critical operations by authorities. In addition, 5G Standalone will also enable energy efficiency improvements thanks to more data being transmitted with the same amount of energy and faster access to content.”
Jenny Lindqvist Head of Northern & Central Europe at Ericsson says: “We are proud to partner with TDC NET to bring Denmark into the true 5G era with this groundbreaking launch of 5G Standalone network. This is a significant milestone for both companies and for Denmark as a whole. Together, we are enabling new possibilities for consumers, businesses, industries, and society with a network that is ready for future innovation.”
