Telia has launched its commercial 5G Standalone (5G SA) network in Norway.

In doing so, the carrier has become the first Norwegian telco to deploy 5G SA services.

Telia noted that the service is available nationwide as 'Advanced 5G,' boasting that the service enables businesses and public services to reserve a dedicated slice of Telia’s 5G network.

5G SA is not reliant on older mobile generations and solely uses a 5G core network, as opposed to 5G Non-Standalone (5G NSA), which utilizes a 4G core.

"This launch is a milestone that confirms Telia’s Norwegian network leadership. Advanced 5G is like an airport ‘fast-track’ lane: you move smoothly past the queue without stopping," said Bjørn Ivar Moen, head of Telia Norway.

"We see growing demand for such technology, since today’s mobile networks are increasingly used for critical functions on which entire societies depend."

Telia claims that 5G SA is able to reduce latency to less than 10 milliseconds, compared with 15-18 milliseconds for 5G Non Standalone (5G NSA).

The network is also able to connect more devices to the 5G SA network at the same time.

Prior to the commercial launch, Telia carried out a pilot project for its 5G SA network with the public broadcaster NRK, the Norwegian Armed Forces, and construction company Veidekke.

GSA data reports that only 10 percent of global mobile operators have launched commercial 5G SA services. Telcos typically opted to launch 5G NSA networks initially, while 5G SA is seen by many in the industry as the "true 5G."