Written by Andrew Wooden
UK operator VMO2 has launched what it claims is the first portable commercial 5G Standalone private network
The pitch is that companies can set up a 5G SA private network ‘at the flick of a switch’ without the time and expense of getting engineers in to build one out in the traditional way.
As well as the convenience of an easier installations, the operator says the product’s compact nature can pipe in 5G connectivity in rural locations or places where public network access to 5G may be more limited.
Two of them have been deployed already, the first of which with Telefónica’s innovation arm Wayra which has been using the network since last summer. The product was also trialled with various companies working on things such as VR and IoT, we’re informed.
Under the hood of the ‘slightly larger than a carry-on airline bag’ device is Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC) and Nokia MX Industrial Edge (MXIE), and VMO2 claims it is the first telco to incorporate the latter into its private wireless offering.
