09 October 2024
Free Mobile, part of Iliad, has announced the launch of what it calls France’s first 5G 3.5GHz Standalone Access (SA) network on a national scale.
With over 20,000 5G sites in service, including nearly 7,000 on the 3.5GHz band, Free now covers approximately 95% of the French population.
The operator said 5G SA is the final phase of 5G network development. The new 5G SA network enhances mobile communication by providing faster speeds, lower latency, and higher reliability, independent of 4G infrastructure. Its deployment will allow the full potential of 5G technology to be realised through new services and applications in various domains.
Additionally, Free has introduced VoNR (Voice over New Radio), which improves voice communication over 5G, offering faster connection times and better voice quality. Subscribers to the 5G Free Mobile Plan can access 5G SA at no extra cost, provided they have a compatible device.