South Korea's SK Telecom and LG Uplus are pushing to commercialize 5G Standalone (SA) mode on Apple iPhones and Samsung Electronics Galaxy smartphones by year-end. 5G SA is a technology that communicates solely over 5G networks without relying on LTE infrastructure, reducing latency and improving network operational efficiency—earning it the moniker "true 5G."
According to telecom industry sources on the 13th, SK Telecom has applied 5G SA settings functionality to iOS 27.2 Beta 3, the latest test software for iPhones operating on its network. Users can activate 5G SA directly from the iPhone settings menu, with support covering models released after the iPhone 17 series. The latest iPhone 18 series also supports the feature.
LG Uplus has likewise begun offering 5G SA settings functionality in the same iOS beta version. Both companies are preparing to launch 5G SA services by year-end.
SK Telecom is incorporating SA functionality into devices through this iOS beta update and conducting network testing. The company is reportedly planning to gradually expand 5G SA infrastructure while monitoring demand and traffic patterns before and after commercialization.
Galaxy smartphones are also expected to receive SA support in time for commercialization. Since KT has offered 5G SA service on the Galaxy S20 series since 2021, SK Telecom and LG Uplus are expected to support the same series onward. Samsung Electronics plans to proceed with related software updates in coordination with both carriers.
An SK Telecom official said, "We are preparing for 5G SA commercialization by year-end," adding, "Since both the network and devices must be ready, customers will be able to use 5G SA within the year." An LG Uplus official also stated, "We are in discussions with device manufacturers to commercialize SA by year-end."
Differences Between 5G SA and NSA
5G SA delivers service through a dedicated 5G core network, unlike Non-Standalone (NSA) mode, which uses both LTE core networks and 5G networks. Existing NSA relies on LTE networks for managing communication connections, while SA processes everything through the 5G network.
This reduces response latency and improves network operational efficiency. It is particularly suited for services requiring fast response times, such as online gaming and autonomous driving, and enables the implementation of 5G-specialized services like network slicing.
SK Telecom and LG Uplus have provided service via NSA mode—combining 5G with LTE core networks—since commercializing 5G in 2019. The ability to leverage existing LTE spectrum and infrastructure, along with speed advantages, had led them to delay the transition to SA.
Competitive Landscape Shifts After KT's First-Mover Move
KT is currently the only one of South Korea's three major carriers supporting 5G SA. KT launched 5G SA service first in March, with coverage limited to 5G-based voice calls and select services.
With SK Telecom and LG Uplus joining, all three major carriers will now offer 5G SA. However, user-perceptible service changes remain limited at this stage. No specialized services leveraging 5G SA have been launched, and in typical data usage environments, quality differences from existing NSA are minimal.
LG Uplus is preparing for year-end 5G SA commercialization through nationwide network testing and employee pilot services.
Outlook for Device Ecosystem Expansion
This iOS beta update signals that Apple has begun full-scale device support aligned with South Korean carriers' transition to 5G SA. With 5G SA settings added to iPhone 17 series and later models, users are expected to access the service at commercialization without additional updates.
For Galaxy devices, since KT already supports SA on the Galaxy S20 series onward, SK Telecom and LG Uplus are highly likely to support the same series through software updates. Samsung Electronics plans to expand supported models and coverage in coordination with both carriers.
5G SA commercialization is significant for carriers in improving network operational efficiency and laying the groundwork for 5G-specialized services such as network slicing over the long term. However, short-term speed or quality improvements perceptible to users are expected to be minimal, meaning future specialized service launches will ultimately determine the practical value of 5G SA.
Source: https://finance.biggo.com/news/8cb2b0b3-18bc-4f88-a6d8-c1039cf432f0
