en.Wedoany.com Reported - Slovak operator O2 Slovakia plans to launch a standalone 5G network by the end of this year and open its services to customers. The network will be presented to users as "5G+", with coverage expected to align with the existing 5G network. Currently, O2 Slovakia's 5G services cover 99.77% of Slovakia's population.
5G SA, or standalone 5G, operates on a 5G core network to carry services, unlike non-standalone 5G that relies on a 4G core network. This enables a more complete realization of low latency, high reliability, network slicing, and massive connectivity capabilities. For ordinary users, the experience brought by 5G SA may manifest in connection stability, response speed, and network performance under high-load scenarios. For enterprise customers, it is more suitable for supporting industrial internet, fixed wireless access, remote monitoring, smart parks, low-latency applications, and private network services. O2 Slovakia's simultaneous advancement of 5G SA and "5G+" device supply indicates that terminal adaptation and network opening will proceed in tandem.
Currently, O2 Slovakia is negotiating with equipment suppliers regarding the supply of 5G+ devices. For the 5G SA network to be truly open to customers, in addition to the preparation of the radio network and core network, terminal devices that support the corresponding frequency bands, protocols, and operator configurations are required. If smartphones, home internet terminals, industrial routers, and enterprise gateways cannot be adapted, users will be unable to stably use 5G SA services even within coverage areas. The equipment supply negotiations indicate that the operator is preparing the terminal ecosystem ahead of commercial launch.
O2 Slovakia's existing 5G network coverage has already approached full national population coverage, providing a solid foundation for the launch of 5G SA. If the SA network coverage aligns with the existing 5G network, it means the operator will not merely pilot in a few cities but plans to advance upgrades based on the existing extensive coverage network. For a market like Slovakia, with a relatively small population and a dispersed distribution of cities and towns, high coverage helps extend 5G SA from urban mobile broadband to home broadband alternatives, enterprise connectivity, and regional digital services.
The plan is currently in the pre-commercial launch phase. Specific device models, package plans, launch batches, enterprise service content, and network slicing applications have not yet been fully disclosed. What is confirmed is that O2 Slovakia plans to launch and open its 5G SA network by the end of the year, with 5G+ device supply underway, and related network coverage will be consistent with existing 5G services.
