The Dutch mobile operator said it successfully tested 5G standalone (SA) technology in its network.
KPN says 5G SA enables even higher speeds, better latency and network slicing. The operator first introduced 5G in 700 MHz in 2020, and it is now available throughout the Netherlands. To date, however, 5G still runs in a non-standalone configuration.
KPN and its technology partner Ericsson used a test license in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band in combination with 5G SA to demonstrate a cloud gaming application in which a video game was played remotely via the mobile network.
During the trial, all data was exchanged in real time between the player and gaming platform. The test achieved a download speed of nearly 1 Gbps and a latency of 14 milliseconds, “considerably better than with the current 5G non-standalone standard.”
The 3.5 GHz frequency is scheduled to become available in the Netherlands at the end of this year. KPN said it will gradually introduce 5G standalone in 2024.
