TIM Brasil has claimed that it is the first operator in Latin American to launch Core 5G standalone (SA), meeting the requirements of regulator Anatel and allowing it to offer networks and services using the 3.5GHz spectrum.
However, reports suggest that the first activations, in soft launch format, will be available to the operator's employees – and network tests will continue this month at the company's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro – using 2.3GHz spectrum.
Looking some way ahead, TIM points out that with a virtualized, private, cloud-based core infrastructure, 5G SA is essential for mission-critical applications such as self-driving cars and remote surgery as well initiatives in the IoT and M2M (machine to machine) sectors – sectors that will benefit most from the advantages of this technology.
It also suggests that 5G SA will provide low latency and allow many more connected devices, more agile systems, new services, network slicing, and more efficient SLA management. In addition, the operator claims a first in Latin America related to tests with VoNR.
TIM’s suppliers for the new offering include Huawei and Ericsson.
The new service is clearly planning to target the business market among its earliest customers. Leonardo Capdeville, CTIO at TIM Brasil, is quoted as saying: “5G SA allows us to develop customized service offerings for the corporate market and is essential for generating new revenue opportunities.”
