From MediaTek: World's first multi-vendor 5G NR standalone data call
In a collaboration between MediaTek, T-Mobile, Ericsson, Nokia and Cisco, together we have achieved the world’s first 5G NR standalone call in a multi-vendor environment.
The environment mirrors a 5G standalone (SA) deployment in T-Mobile’s cellular network in North America, taking a significant step towards making 5G standalone networks a reality. This call was conducted in a realistic carrier test environment and builds on the momentum of MediaTek and Ericsson’s standalone 5G call using the 2.6GHz band in May 2019. Both MediaTek and T-mobile are committed to continuing the collaboration, which is helping drive 5G network deployment.
5G initially launched as a non-standalone (NSA) architecture that combines 4G LTE and 5G connectivity, but will quickly be superseded by 5G standalone networks.
The call was completed using a device containing MediaTek's Helio M70 5G modem: a multi-mode (2G-5G) modem that supports both standalone and non-standalone (SA/NSA) sub-6GHz (5G NR) networks.
Earlier this year, MediaTek also announced its groundbreaking 5G system-on-chip (SoC) that, among other high-end CPU, GPU and AI processors, integrates the 5G technologies from the M70. Designed to power the first wave of high-end 5G smartphones it will be in smartphones starting in Q1 2020 - matching the timeframe for wide deployment of 5G NR networks.
Standalone 5G NR, coupled with a new 5G core, will lead to better coverage and better capacity, plus the potential of ultra-low latency connections. It will pave the way to supercharge applications that require real-time responses and massive connectivity such as mobile augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), cloud gaming, smart factories and meters and even connected vehicles. The network evolution also provides improved performance and response time to end-users.
Source: https://www.mediatek.com/blog/worlds-first-multi-vendor-5g-nr-standalone-data-call