Telefonica brand Movistar has recently launched its 5G+ network, bringing the 5G standalone network to 11 cities in Spain. This achievement has been made possible by integrating Ericsson's 5G core network technology and radio access network (RAN). Ericsson explained that by leveraging this combination, Telefonica could offer a unique network experience featuring ultra-low latency, high throughput, and a massive number of connections.
Also Read: Movistar Spain Launches Standalone 5G in 11 Cities
Accelerated Deployment and Extensive Coverage
According to Ericsson, Movistar has already covered over 700 municipalities in Spain with 3.5 GHz and plans to speed up the mid-band deployment in the second half of this year to reach around 1,000 locations by the end of 2023. Moviestar is accelerating deployment in 3.5 GHz to offer high performance with the launch of 5G+ (5G SA).
Ericsson said this is possible with the deployment of Ericsson's dual-mode 5G Core solution, built on the Ericsson Cloud Infrastructure, in conjunction with the radio access network (RAN) on the 3.5 GHz spectrum.
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Enhanced Capabilities with Standalone Technology
According to the statement, the recent launch of the 5G standalone as part of the 5G+ commercial launch is a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between Telefonica and Ericsson.
This development will allow Movistar customers to fully benefit from the potential of 5G technology, said Ericsson.
The 5G+ launch is complemented by the coverage in the 700 MHz band, which Movistar has been offering since last year and now reaches over 2,200 municipalities. Movistar already provides national 5G coverage to more than 85 percent of the population.
Also Read: Telefonica Movistar Enhances 5G Coverage in Spain’s Tourist Destinations for Summer
Network Slicing Feature
Ericsson said Telefonica's 5G commercial network will see improved capabilities with standalone technology, including the feature of network slicing. This allows for flexibility by allocating specific parts of the network for various use cases.
As a result, new business models can emerge across different industries, providing Telefonica with increased opportunities to monetize.
The introduction of 5G+ by Movistar, powered by Ericsson's standalone technology, is a significant advancement.
