Standalone Networks at MWC25 Doha
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MWC25 Doha – Standalone Networks: Building Network Foundations for Consumer Growth and Innovation
Monday December 15, 2025

MWC25 Doha – Standalone Networks: Building Network Foundations for Consumer Growth and Innovation

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5G Future Summit, Session 1

About the session

As Standalone (SA) network deployments accelerate across the Middle East, the region is entering a pivotal phase in its transition towards fully realising the promise of next-generation connectivity. Unlike earlier non-Standalone architectures, 5G SA enables consistently low latency, predictable performance and service-level guarantees, capabilities that directly shape the viability of advanced consumer services. As a result, experiences such as cloud gaming, immersive AR/VR, ultra-high-definition streaming and deeply integrated smart home ecosystems are positioned for rapid growth. These services demand both sustained bandwidth and real-time responsiveness, making SA not merely an upgrade, but an essential foundation for the next wave of digital consumer engagement.

This session examines how mobile network operators and infrastructure providers are approaching the design and deployment of intelligent, high-capacity networks capable of supporting these emerging demands. Regional early adopters will provide a view into lessons learned, architectural decisions and the operational realities of bringing SA networks to scale. Global experts will complement this with perspectives on ecosystem maturity, best practices in network automation and orchestration, and the evolving role of edge computing in enabling differentiated user experiences.

A central theme of the discussion is how SA can unlock new revenue streams for consumer markets. From network slicing that enables premium, SLA-backed tiers of service, to platform models that expose operator capabilities to developers and service providers, SA opens pathways for monetisation that were previously unattainable. The session explored how operators can position themselves strategically, balancing investment, partnerships and innovation, to maximise the commercial potential of 5G SA.

Watch the session 1 “Standalone Networks: Building Network Foundations for Consumer Growth & Innovation” of the 5G Future Summit on demand below, and explore the latest GSMA research into the 5G SA consumer segment opportunity here.

Watch on demand

Explore Session 2
A man in a dark suit and white shirt stands on stage with arms open wide. He holds a yellow device in one hand and appears to be speaking or presenting. Behind him is a modern backdrop with illuminated lines and large partial letters. Two chairs are visible.
A man in a dark suit stands on stage in front of a sign that reads "MBC25." He has light brown hair and is holding his hands together. Three grey chairs and water bottles are arranged behind him. The lighting creates a modern, professional atmosphere.
A man in a suit stands on stage at a tech conference, gesturing towards a large screen showing a bar chart titled "5G SA Consumer Services." The audience watches as he presents. The stage and screen are labelled "MWC25." Four empty chairs and water bottles are visible.
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A man in a brown blazer, light blue shirt, and dark trousers stands on a dimly lit stage holding papers. He gestures with one hand whilst speaking, with a serious expression. The background is mostly dark, emphasising the figure.
A man in a suit stands on stage in front of a large red presentation screen displaying graphics and text about 5G and 4G technology. He is holding papers, and several members of the audience are visible in the foreground, blurred.
A man in a navy suit and tie stands on stage, speaking into a headset microphone. He holds a small device in his hand. Behind him is a wall with illuminated horizontal lines and partial large letters reading "MWC." A grey chair is visible in the background.
A man in a suit stands on stage giving a presentation at MWC25. Behind him, slides are projected with text and diagrams. Four empty chairs and water bottles are on stage. The audience sits facing him, some heads visible in the foreground.
An older man in a white traditional robe and headscarf stands in profile against a dark background, holding his hands together as if speaking or presenting. Several grey, curved chairs are partially visible to the left.
A man wearing a traditional white Middle Eastern thobe and patterned head covering stands on stage, holding a yellow mobile and gesturing with his other hand, appearing to speak or present at an event. Dark and light screens are visible in the background.
A man in traditional white attire speaks on stage at MWC25, with an audience seated in the foreground. The stage backdrop displays “MWC25” and a large screen showing data. The atmosphere is professional and focussed, with people listening attentively.
Four panellists, three men and one woman, sit on a stage in discussion at MWC25. They are seated on modern white chairs with water bottles in front of them, facing an audience. A large "MWC25" sign is illuminated behind them.
A man in a white kandura and black agal gestures while speaking on stage. He sits on a grey chair against a dark background with large, partially visible letters and yellow horizontal lights behind him.
Four people sit on stage in modern chairs, engaged in a panel discussion. One woman gestures while speaking, flanked by three men, one of whom wears traditional Middle Eastern attire. All appear focused, with a dark background and horizontal light strips behind them.
Four men in business attire sit on stage having a panel discussion at a conference. Behind them is a large "MWC25" sign. The audience is visible in the foreground, listening attentively to the speakers.