Three Sweden has launched 5G Standalone (5G SA) commercial services.

The carrier has paired with network vendor Ericsson to deploy the 5G SA network.

According to Ericsson, the 5G SA network went live last month following previous trials with Three.

In doing so, Three has become the first Swedish telco to deploy a 5G SA network.

5G SA is a network that is not reliant on older mobile generations and solely uses a 5G core network.

Three's 5G SA network utilizes Ericsson cloud-native 5G Core and Radio Access Network (RAN) solutions. The network expands coverage, improves capacity, low latency, and ramps up network speed.

Ericsson noted that the 5G SA network enhances mobile broadband services and enables network slicing. Slicing allows telecom operators to create separate and isolated networks within their wider 5G network, and each slice can be configured differently.

For Three, network slicing opens up an opportunity for the carrier to tailor its network to specific applications and enterprise requirements, supporting advanced use cases across industry, IoT, and next-generation digital services.

Three will utilize its 5G SA network to offer Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband - a mobile-connectivity-enabled high-speed, high-capacity, and secure broadband alternative to laying cable for homes and businesses.

“The launch of our 5G Standalone network is a crucial step forward in delivering enhanced services to our customers, and I am proud that we at Three are the first in Sweden to be able to offer this," said Rajib Eklund, chief technology and information officer (CTIO), Three Sweden. "Ericsson’s 5G technology allows us to significantly improve network efficiency and create tailored connectivity solutions to meet the diverse needs of Swedish businesses and people.”