Telekom Slovenije has partnered with network vendor Ericsson to launch 5G Standalone (5G SA) services in Slovenia.

The launch of the 5G SA is the first of its kind in the country.

5G SA is a network that is not reliant on older mobile generations and solely uses a 5G core network, and will be better equipped to embrace AI. The earlier iterations of 5G were based on a 4G core instead.

Ericsson has provided its 5G RAN and its full-stack core network, which includes its dual-mode 5G Core solution and cloud native infrastructure solution.

The deployment of 5G SA is set to deliver a more efficient overall network, notes Ericsson, while bolstering cybersecurity.

5G SA will enable Telekom Slovenije to deliver use cases such as network slicing, which slices a dedicated part of the network for a particular use case.

“The launch of 5G Standalone marks a major milestone in Slovenia’s digital transformation. In close collaboration with Ericsson, we are deploying a next-generation network that enables advanced capabilities such as network slicing, ultra-responsive mobile broadband, and a fully virtualized architecture," said Vesna Prodnik, member of the management board of Telekom Slovenije.

Prodnik noted that 5G SA will help the carrier reach its target of covering 99 percent of Slovenia's population with 5G.

“The network delivers the reliability, low latency, and scalability required to support both consumer, business, and mission-critical services. This positions Telekom Slovenije at the forefront of 5G innovation in Europe, enabling them to offer differentiated services and consistently deliver a superior user experience across the country," added Aleksandar Todorovski, country manager of Ericsson Slovenia.

According to Ericsson, the 5G network also supports Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and Voice over New Radio (VoNR), enabling voice services directly over 5G.