UScellular, an influential regional wireless service provider, recently unveiled plans to leapfrog into the next generation of connectivity with their 5G standalone (SA) core network. The company has progressed beyond the initial testing phase and is currently conducting trials, with the goal of introducing selected customers to the new service within the next two months. A significant emphasis for the rollout of the new infrastructure is on Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), which stands as a pivotal first application of 5G technology by UScellular.Michael Irizarry, the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, mentioned FWA as an optimal starting point due to its straightforward data demands, compared to the multifaceted requirements of mobile voice and data services. This strategic move is meant to not only augment overall network performance but also fine-tune the efficiency and management of bandwidth, which, consequently, holds the promise of a better-controlled user experience. While users may not directly observe the nuances of the SA core, the network improvement is expected to render an economically savvier choice for the operator in the long run.
