From hospitals accelerating diagnoses to major ports tracking containers in real time, 5G Standalone (5G SA) is demonstrating true value
Across healthcare, logistics and public safety, enterprises everywhere are under pressure to do more with less. They are expected to boost efficiency, improve resilience, and keep pace with the relentless evolution of fast-moving technology. 5G Standalone (5G SA) is one of the few tools that can help expedite all three at once, combining high-performance connectivity with the flexibility needed to adapt to specific industry demands.
5G SA is forecast to unlock a new wave of industrial innovation and growth, adding an extra $4.7 trillion to global gross domestic product while creating 7.3 million new jobs. So what does 5G SA look like in action?
Healthcare – shortening diagnosis times
In Finland, a private 5G SA network for Oulu University hospital was implemented earlier this year, deployed by Boldyn Networks and Nokia. The network brings secure, dedicated connectivity to support real-time clinical applications, connected medical devices and innovations in digital health. It’s claimed as a milestone for European healthcare, showing how operators and partners can deliver critical infrastructure in some of the most demanding environments.
In Thailand, one-third of critically ill patients don’t survive their journey in an ambulance and Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital is striving to change that. In late 2021, a collaboration between Thai mobile operator True and Huawei enabled the hospital to deploy a 5G SA network so that ambulances have 5G connections that transmit patients’ vital signs and other data, in real time, to emergency departments. This enables medical teams to prepare for their arrival. The connections are ultra-low latency – under 10 milliseconds – at speeds above 1Gbps to support 4K video streaming for remote specialist consultations and immediate emergency interventions.
Within the hospital, the trolleys used to move patients about have 5G connections and remote surgery instruction can be delivered via HD and AR displays. Discharged patients benefit from remote consultations via 5G at home or via community hospitals.
The integration of AI has reduced pathological diagnosis times, with reductions cited as being from 15 minutes to a 25 seconds. AI-powered wearables monitor chronic conditions like diabetes: all the data is secured on a hybrid public-private 5G SA network with on-site edge processing.
Maritime and logistics – real-time visibility of global trade
At Thames Freeport, Verizon Business and Nokia are working together to reshape how goods move in and out of the UK, using one of Europe’s largest private 5G SA networks. It stretches across DP World London Gateway, Ford Dagenham, and the Port of Tilbury, and will connect the three logistics hubs via a high-speed, low-latency corridor.
Benefits include automated cranes that unload ships faster, AI systems that spot bottlenecks before they happen and sensors that track emissions in real time across more than 130 trade routes. The plan is for Thames Freeport to become one of Europe’s most advanced shipping and manufacturing gateways
Meanwhile, Spain’s Port of Valencia is deploying the country’s first harbour-based 5G SA network, using dedicated Band 40 (2.3GHz) spectrum for private deployment. This model offers better control for 500 companies operating within the port. This €6 million initiative enables automated container handling, real-time cargo tracking, plus improved surveillance and coordination among logistics partners. As one of Europe’s busiest ports, Valencia’s investment strengthens its competitive position and supports Spain’s efforts to close the 5G gap with Germany and France.
In Lithuania, Telia rolled out the country’s first SA 5G network at the Port of Klaipeda. Its dedicated core covers 10km delivers sub-10 millisecond latency for use cases including the identification of smart containers, autonomous truck movement, the remote operation of heavy equipment and push-to-talk communications for workers.
In Belgium, the Port of Antwerp handled over 235 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2023 and has become a testbed for automation. In a live proof-of-concept, Telenet provided a 5G SA network slice, while Nokia deployed its Network as Code API platform to support real-time navigation for cargo freighters.
The project used GSMA Open Gateway APIs to geofence vessels and dynamically allocate network resources using Quality on Demand calls. This enables automated routing of ships within the port, reducing crews’ workload and addressing the growing shortage captains for inland waterways. The trial has demonstrated how 5G SA and APIs can together streamline port operations, reduce congestion, and lay the groundwork for scalable, commercial automation solutions.
Better public safety – prioritised connectivity for police and first responders
In the UK, Vodafone’s modelling claimed a nationwide 5G SA network could free up to 11 million hours a year for police officers (around seven working days per officer annually) – time that could be spent on frontline duties like emergency response and community engagement.
That equates to freeing up the workload of 5,400 full-time officers, so that major cities like Manchester gain the equivalent of 44 more officers on the frontline. Vodafone says this would result from the efficiencies of using secure, fast connections and seamless services like Live Link to keeps officers on the beat while staying connected via mobile.
Meanwhile, in the US, T-Mobile’s T-Priority (the world’s first commercial 5G network slice for first responders) offers 2.5x faster speeds and 40% more capacity than competitors, guaranteeing priority access even during peak congestion. This SA infrastructure supports drones, AR/VR and AI-powered applications, which can contribute to better, faster decisions in emergencies.
City of New York, one of the first customers to sign on, is already using T-Priority for everyday public safety work.
Turning 5G SA into measurable business value
Regardless of geography, industry, or business challenge, most modern enterprises are increasing accountable for their performance to regulators and shareholders in areas like energy consumption, social responsibility and employees’ safety.
The GSMA argues in its report, Destination Growth: The Journey to Complete 5G, that businesses don’t just want faster speeds; they want measurable efficiency gains, greater operational visibility, and the room to innovate to meet these demands.
The GSMA’s position is that by integrating 5G SA into their workflows, enterprises can turn connectivity into competitive advantage, regardless of whether that through factory automation, precision remote training or real-time monitoring. The mantra is ‘network as a partner’ to thrive.
Seizing the 5G SA advantage
As global challenges intensify, the move to 5G SA offers resilience, efficiency, and scope for innovation. Enterprises that partner closely with mobile operators can transform operations, develop new services, and stay competitive in such a fast-changing market.
You can download the whitepaper, Destination Growth – The Journey to Complete 5G fromhttps://view.gsma.com/complete-5g
