Wednesday 10 June, 2026
5G Standalone is driving new operator service innovations across MENA, but how are they driving new revenue? Barbara Pareglio, Technical Director at GSMA, weighs in ahead of MWC Doha this November.
As the world navigates an era of global economic uncertainty and mounting pressure for operational efficiency, enterprise leaders are desperately seeking transformative solutions. The answer lies in 5G Standalone, a technology that’s started to be deployed, but not yet fully realised across global markets. According to the GSMA’s latest research, Destination Growth: The Journey to Complete 5G, this represents more than just another network upgrade, it’s a $127 billion operator revenue opportunity that has the power to redefine how enterprises operate, compete, and grow. This figure accounts for 70% of the entire mobile industry’s projected revenue growth, making the transition from Non-Standalone (NSA) to Standalone (SA) not just a technical imperative but an existential business priority.
The global telecommunications market reveals a clear progression path that many operators are still navigating. With 273 operators currently deploying 5G NSA networks as of July 2025, compared to just 74 operating 5G SA infrastructure (GSMAi August 2025), the industry sits at a critical juncture. While 5G NSA delivers improved speeds by layering 5G radio access over existing 4G cores, it represents only the first step toward unlocking the transformative potential offered by 5G SA.
According to GSMA Intelligence, the MENA Region is at the forefront with 20 operators, in 9 countries, deploying SA networks. Operators like DU, e& (formerly Etisalat) and Ooredoo Qatar are all rolling out SA networks to deliver a range of advanced connectivity solutions.
Non-Standalone v Standalone Networks
The distinction matters more than many realise. 5G NSA networks, despite their 5G branding, remain fundamentally limited by their 4G LTE core dependencies. They cannot access the full spectrum of 5G capabilities that enterprises increasingly demand for digital transformation initiatives. True SA networks, built with cloud-native architectures and service-based frameworks, enable the programmable, secure, and flexible connectivity that modern businesses require.
The enterprise applications driving this opportunity span manufacturing robotics and digital twinning, remote healthcare, intelligent transportation networks, and smart grid implementations. Each requires the ultra-reliable low-latency communication, network slicing capabilities, and enhanced security features that only SA can deliver. Private wireless networks, already growing at 33% annually with nearly 12,000 deployments expected by 2028 (Berg Insight, 2023), provide a preview of enterprise demand for these capabilities.
Leading MENA operators are committed to Standalone
Ooredoo Qatar has successfully implemented 5G SA networks and recently expanded this commitment to modernise its entire core network. This implementation enables advanced features including Voice over New Radio (VoNR) for pure 5G voice and video calls, network slicing for creating thousands of virtual networks tailored to specific applications, and ultra-low latency bandwidth supporting real-time industrial automation and enterprise applications across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities.
Dubai based operator, du are using SA to roll out FWA to deliver enhanced coverage and connectivity with superior uplink performance for multiple interactive digital services, with more efficient spectrum utilisation while benefiting from offloading traffic from congested legacy networks.
e& UAE has successfully completed a Private 5G Network trial with SA that demonstrated significant technical capabilities for enterprise connectivity. The trial achieved record uplink speeds of 2.04 Gbps across 26GHz, 4.9GHz, and 700MHz frequencies. The plug-and-play solution dramatically reduced network setup time to under 60 minutes, addressing key enterprise pain points including lengthy deployment timelines and complex configurations that typically require specialised technical teams.
While full potential 5G is often cited as the enterprise technology, the impact of Standalone networks extends well into the consumer segment. Operators across Asia Pacific and MENA are already demonstrating new monetisation models, from speed-tiered mobile plans and immersive gaming to widespread adoption of 5G-powered Fixed Wireless Access (FWA). These regions are tackling spectrum constraints and coverage challenges through innovative approaches such as shared spectrum, neutral-host indoor solutions, and strategic mid-band refarming.
Transition strategy
For operators running NSA 5G networks, the transition strategy typically follows a ‘no-regrets’ approach: investing in equipment and architecture that supports both 4G and 5G core functions. This reduces risk, enables gradual traffic migration, and ensures that investments remain valuable as networks evolve to Standalone 5G, rather than becoming redundant. Operators can begin with basic node configurations in high-demand urban areas, then scale systematically as enterprise demand materialises.
Delivering business transformation and enhanced customer experiences extends beyond network architecture. It requires operators to evolve from connectivity providers to solution integrators, working with technology partners to deliver outcomes-based services. This shift demands new R&D investments, enterprise-focused product development, and collaborative go-to-market strategies that address business challenges rather than just connectivity needs.
Future of mobile networks
Looking ahead, SA networks provide the foundation for 5G-Advanced capabilities including enhanced IoT support, AI integration, enhanced positioning and ambient connectivity features, to mention a few. This positions operators not just for immediate enterprise opportunities but for eventual 6G evolution, which is based on a SA architecture.
The message for industry leaders is clear: NSA 5G networks served as stepping stones, not destinations. Operators who view their current NSA deployments as the completion of their 5G journey risk missing the majority of available revenue growth and delay the future evolution. The SA transition requires immediate strategic planning, systematic implementation, and whole-of-business transformation to capture the enterprise opportunity that will define the next decade of mobile industry growth.
Join the GSMA 5G Future Community at MWC Doha on Tuesday 25 November 2025 for the 5G Future Summit to discover more about the growth of SA and 5G-Advanced technologies across the MENA region, and for the launch of the latest research report in collaboration with GSMA Inteligence in the The Journey to Complete 5G series.
About the author
Barbara Pareglio is the GSMA’s technical lead for several areas of focus within the GSMA such as 5G, IoT, automotive, aviation and more
