VTel Wireless said that Ericsson will provide the 5G Core platform and Radio Access Network (RAN) elements of its 5G standalone network in Vermont.
The press release claimed that the deployment will make VTel the first rural carrier to deploy fully native 5G standalone voice over new radio (VoNR) roaming capabilities with nationwide communications service providers (CSPs).
The press release also said that the partnership will enable national CSPs to maintain 5G standalone quality connectivity in the rural areas served by VTel. Until now, services in such areas generally depend upon 4G LTE VoLTE.
“VTel has long been a pioneer in rural wireless innovation, and the transition to a 5G Standalone architecture further strengthens our leadership while keeping Vermonters at the forefront of connectivity, performance, and reliability,” said Dr. Michel Guité, Chairman and CEO of VTel Wireless.
“Our 5G Standalone and VoNR deployment with Ericsson is VTel’s way of turning that vision into reality for some of the most rural communities in America, so that Vermonters and visitors alike can count on world class connectivity wherever they live, work, or roam.”
Deployment of 5G standalone networks is one area in which rural areas are trying to evolve, according to a February 2024 study by equipment vendor Spirent. The study said that such networks were relatively uncommon in 2023 but were expected to increase in 2024.
Voice services are consistently growing more sophisticated. In February, Ericsson and Ookla demonstrated a methodology that would enable the measurement and validation of 5G network slices. Ookla, which is in the process of being acquired by Accenture, said that capabilities demonstrated will enable quality of experience (QoE) profiles of new applications and use cases.
VTel was a provisional grant award winner for $126,543 in the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
