UK MVNOs eye transformation with roll-out of full 5G Standalone networks

The UK mobile industry is on the verge of a pivotal shift as the nationwide deployment of 5G Standalone networks promises to redefine connectivity, enabling specialised services, real-time applications, and industry-specific digital ecosystems for MVNOs amid ongoing infrastructure and regulatory challenges.

The UK mobile industry is on the cusp of a transformative phase with the widespread roll-out of 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks, marking a shift from enhanced radio access atop 4G to a fully cloud-native, software-driven mobile core. This core architectural evolution, highlighted by Kadams Radhakrishnan, Chief Technical Director of Lyca Mobile, promises more flexible, low-latency connectivity that can power immersive applications, automation, and real-time systems. For Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in particular, this signals a pivotal move from simply reselling connectivity towards delivering tailored digital experiences and solutions embedded deeply within industry verticals such as healthcare, transport, esports, and media production.

Unlike early 5G deployments that relied heavily on existing 4G infrastructure, 5G SA’s standalone core enables finer control over network behaviour, edge computing integration, and network slicing. These capabilities allow MVNOs to offer specialised services with guaranteed performance levels, fundamentally changing the wholesale buying and branding models they have relied on. This redefines connectivity as an enabler rather than just a cost centre, creating opportunities for premium, vertical-specific offerings that can command higher value. However, this evolution also demands technical readiness and new commercial approaches, including negotiation of contracts that grant full access to 5G SA functionalities as many current agreements only cover enhanced radio access without guaranteed low latency or slicing capabilities.

Ericsson’s analysis of 5G maturity underscores the importance of 5G SA in delivering not only faster speeds but also improved responsiveness, voice quality, and security, attributes essential for consumer satisfaction and industrial applications alike. The standalone architecture supports critical time-sensitive services such as smart manufacturing and automation, as well as advanced consumer experiences like cloud-based virtual reality gaming, demonstrating the broad potential of 5G SA to unlock innovative use cases that were unattainable with 4G-centric networks.

Further expanding on use cases, 5G SA’s low latency and network slicing allow operators to create virtual networks tailored for specific needs, such as Fixed Wireless Access and Voice over New Radio (VoNR). This flexibility is particularly valuable in real-time media and industrial automation sectors, where guaranteed performance and reliability are crucial. The ability to deliver differentiated services with precision will be a competitive differentiator among MVNOs as they transition from commodity sellers to orchestrators of sophisticated digital ecosystems.

Despite its promise, the nationwide deployment of 5G SA in the UK faces several challenges. BT has committed to delivering 5G SA coverage to 99% of the UK by 2030, which would significantly improve access in rural and remote areas, crucial for public services like transport. Nonetheless, regulatory reforms, including more spectrum availability and planning rule changes, are essential to facilitate the infrastructure rollout. Ericsson UK’s CEO Katherine Ainley points to ongoing disparities in coverage and user experience between urban and rural areas, emphasizing that mid-band spectrum usage and expanded 5G SA deployment remain necessary to realise consistent performance nationwide.

Moreover, the technical and logistical challenge of deploying 5G SA networks is non-trivial. The need for extensive fibre infrastructure, complex backhaul solutions, and numerous small cell deployments substantially impacts rollout speed and costs, particularly in urban environments. Collaboration among operators to share infrastructure is seen as a critical strategy to mitigate these issues and accelerate 5G availability. Operators have also called for government support to overcome regulatory hurdles and the high financial burden of spectrum licensing to meet ambitious 5G targets.

For MVNOs navigating this shift, a balanced and strategic approach will be vital. Early engagement with host networks to secure full 5G SA access, investment in technical expertise around network virtualisation, API orchestration, and edge computing, and thorough device portfolio reviews will help ensure they can deliver on promised 5G experiences. Security and compliance also become more complex as virtual operators rely increasingly on distributed cores and third-party APIs, requiring robust governance and transparency to maintain regulatory and enterprise trust.

In conclusion, the arrival of 5G Standalone technology is more than just a network upgrade; it constitutes a fundamental reset in how connectivity is conceived, purchased, and marketed. For UK MVNOs, embracing this technology offers a rare opportunity to transform from low-cost connectivity resellers into sophisticated orchestrators of digital ecosystems, blending connectivity with intelligent services and tailored applications. Whether MVNOs will merely survive or lead in the 5G era hinges on their ability to adapt commercially and technically, and to forge strong partnerships with network operators during this critical transition.

📌 Reference Map:

• [^[1]^](https://mobilenewscwp.co.uk/analysis/article/analysis-mvnos-and-the-5g-challege-of-delivering-experiences-as-well-as-connectivity/) (Mobile News Analysis) – Paragraphs 1, 4, 6, 8, 9
• [^[2]^](https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/2021/12/why-standalone-is-vital-for-reaching-5g-maturity) (Ericsson Blog) – Paragraphs 2, 3
• [^[3]^](https://www.elisaindustriq.com/polystar/use-cases/5g-standalone) (Elisa Industriq) – Paragraph 3
• [^[4]^](https://www.r5n.co.uk/bt-promises-5g-standalone-for-99-percent-of-uk-by-2030) (R5N News) – Paragraph 4
• [^[5]^](https://www.mobileworldlive.com/ericsson/ericsson-uk-chief-cites-continued-5g-challenges/) (Mobile World Live) – Paragraph 5
• [^[6]^](https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-gb/news/industries/telecoms-data/five-major-challenges-of-5g-deployment) (Essentra Components) – Paragraph 5
• [^[7]^](https://www.fierce-network.com/wireless/uk-mnos-call-support-meet-standalone-5g-targets) (Fierce Network) – Paragraph 5

Source: Fuse Wire Services