T-Mobile was first in the U.S. to build a 5G SA network
The Apple Watch Ultra 2. It’s successor could be the first 5G smartwatch. | Image credit-PhoneArena
Dave Bolan, research director at market and research firm Dell’Oro Group, says that the release of 5G smartwatches is rumored to lead to steady growth in 5G SA networks. Bolan says that 5G smartwatches, not requiring the multi-gig speeds that smartphones can theoretically handle, will use 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap), also known as 5G NR-Light. The idea behind RedCap is to allow devices other than smartphones to run on 5G, even if these devices don’t need the mind-blowing data speeds that 5G can offer at full potential. Wearables would be an example of such devices.
Dell’Oro Group’s Bolan says, “5G smartwatches will use [5G reduced capability] – which only works on 5G SA networks – and AT&T already announced they support RedCap devices covering about 200 million [of the] population. If this is true, Verizon cannot be far behind.” Bolan adds, “It has not been announced when AT&T and Verizon will launch 5G SA for consumers on a nationwide basis. If the rumors are true that Apple will launch a 5G smartwatch in the fall or winter, that might be when AT&T launches 5G SA for consumers.”
“As 5G SA networks continue to mature, we see more 5G SA elements coming to market, such as new radio (NR), reduced capability (RedCap), and network slicing. NR RedCap reduces the cost and complexity of 5G SA IoT devices, which will add to the uptick of devices connecting to 5G mobile core network, such as smartwatches and AR glasses. Dynamic network slicing provides on-demand performance as needed by users, such as at a given venue or wireless broadcasters. Static network slicing is being used for fixed wireless access and mission-critical services that require full-time performance enhancements.”
-Dell’Oro Group
Apple Watch Ultra 3 could be the first smartwatch to support 5G
In case you were wondering, the top suppliers of 5G SA networks include the world’s biggest networking names such as Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and ZTE. Since the networking equipment offered by the first and last companies mentioned (Huawei and ZTE) is banned in the U.S. for national security reasons, that leaves Ericsson and Nokia as potential suppliers in the U.S. for 5G SA build-outs.
Carriers running 5G over non-standalone networks will probably have to have a 5G SA by 2030, which means that AT&T and Verizon should have full nationwide 5G SA before then.
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