Vodafone, A1 Group, and Ericsson have achieved a significant milestone by successfully establishing the first 5G Standalone (SA) international roaming connection between different operator groups. This groundbreaking link connects Vodafone Germany and A1 Bulgaria, enhancing the potential for seamless, high-performance roaming experiences for both consumers and businesses operating in multiple countries. Unlike earlier 5G designs that often relied on 4G infrastructure (Non-Standalone or NSA), 5G SA employs fifth-generation technology throughout the entire network, from the radio access network to the core network.
This end-to-end architecture is crucial in unlocking the transformative capabilities of 5G, such as ultra-low latency and improved reliability. The success of this trial signals the future availability of commercial 5G SA roaming services, promising travelers the same high-speed connectivity abroad that they enjoy at home, even in busy locations. This development carries substantial implications for enterprise users, as it enables sophisticated applications requiring consistent, low-latency performance across borders.
Potential applications include dedicated virtual networks catering to specific needs, which could facilitate remote control of industrial robots, manage autonomous vehicles in logistics, or support large-scale augmented reality and virtual reality deployments. The achievement was made possible through collaborative engineering efforts among Vodafone, A1 Group, and Ericsson. They provided data connectivity for an A1 Bulgaria subscriber using Vodafone Germany’s live 5G SA network while following the latest 3GPP industry standards.
Additionally, the team confirmed superior voice roaming quality and immersive audio features expected in future smartphones. Alberto Ripepi, Chief Network Officer at Vodafone Group, highlighted the significance of this international roaming demonstration, stating that it enhances the customer experience during international events and maintains fast connectivity at various business locations. Ericsson’s solutions played a critical role in the project’s success, focusing on security through multi-level structures and the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) platforms.
This infrastructure safeguarded network integrity and subscriber data privacy during international roaming, aligning with GSMA security recommendations. As more 5G SA networks emerge, with Ericsson supporting a substantial share, user expectations for seamless high-quality service while traveling will increase. The project utilized standard roaming architecture defined by 3GPP/GSMA, facilitating the streamlined interconnectivity between operators and simplifying future roaming agreements.
Moreover, market forecasts indicate a strong push toward 5G SA, with a significant percentage of global 5G subscriptions expected to adopt these capabilities by 2030. Consumer willingness to pay more for enhanced mobile experiences underscores the demand for robust 5G SA roaming solutions, especially at major events. In conclusion, the collaboration among Vodafone, A1 Group, and Ericsson marks an important step toward a future where 5G SA roaming is integral to the telecommunications landscape.