We’re excited to share a concrete step forward for 5G Standalone (SA) roaming.
At Comfone, we have facilitated real-device eMBB 5G SA roaming test cases – Voice, Data, and SMS – between 2 major Asian MNOs. These tests have now been successfully completed. The next phase is for both operators to work with their BCE Clearing Agents to implement the clearing and settlement procedures before officially launching this roaming relation and declaring it to be commercially live.
This wasn’t a lab demo. It was live-networking testing with real devices, which made the engineering challenge both harder and more meaningful. A lot of work was invested by the teams of both MNOs and by Comfone as the IPX SEPP vendor. Along the way, we encountered and resolved a multitude of issues, which the industry will systematically be addressing so that 5G SA roaming launches become routine rather than exceptional.
What we learned
Interoperability is plural
Device interoperability is still a moving target across chipsets, firmware, and radio software. Even when a device ‘supports 5G SA’, edge cases show up under roaming conditions that you won’t see domestically.
Core networks differ more than logos suggest
5G SA Core implementation interoperability remains challenging – especially where vendors interpret standards differently or implement different 3GPP releases. These deltas are magnified in roaming, which stitches together two independent ecosystems.
A mediation platform helps
Our IPX/SEPP acted as a pragmatic bridge in several cases, mediating message flows and applying policy controls to keep sessions stable while preserving security and standards compliance.
Domestic ≠ roaming
Both operators are commercially live with 5G SA at home, yet many different configurations don’t translate directly to roaming use cases. That’s expected: roaming crosses trust boundaries, charging domains, and policy regimes.
Live networks add guardrails
Because the testing touched production networks, you can’t just flip switches or roll out new software when an issue appears. Changes need to be surgical and well-governed, which is exactly why early, structured roaming trials matter.
Minor – and significant
It’s ‘minor’ because it’s one roaming relation in a world with over 750 MNOs. It’s ‘significant’ because first-movers de-risk the path for followers. Every successful real-device trial reduces guesswork, clarifies vendor interop, and hardens the operational playbook that the industry will reuse.
Why 5G SA Roaming matters
New services, not just more speed
5G SA unlocks network slicing and fine-grained QoS – capabilities that can be exposed over roaming interfaces so that travellers and IoT fleets benefit globally, not only at home. Think differentiated voice quality, low-latency data paths for collaboration apps, and assured connectivity for mission-critical devices.
Beyond terrestrial
The 5G architecture integrates non-terrestrial networks (NTN) – LEO and GEO satellites – to expand reach and enable new roaming use-cases, from emergency to maritime to remote industrial sites and more.
Private and secure
Operators can use 5G SA to support private networks and secure, differentiated slices, opening new monetisation channels while maintaining roaming continuity for enterprise users on the move.
IoT at scale
As 5G SA coverage grows, support for vast numbers of IoT devices improves – powering smarter homes, cities and verticals. Roaming must carry those benefits across borders with predictable performance and policy controls.
5G SA today, 6G tomorrow
5G SA is the foundation that the industry will build on for 5G Advanced and ultimately, 6G.
Its evolved core provides a cost-efficient, flexible platform for the next decade: reusable functions for traffic routing, authentication, policy, and exposure make the transition smoother and more economical. 5G Advanced (sometimes labelled 5G+ or 5G Evolution) tightens the bolts – intelligent beamforming, deeper AI in the RAN and core, and better spectral efficiency – so by the time 6G arrives, the architecture is ready.
What will early 6G bring?
Expect better service reach via integrated NTN, a more consistent user experience under load (think large events and public gatherings), and improved energy efficiency for both networks and devices. Each generation exploits technology advances to shrink the carbon footprint; longer battery life and greener networks will be table stakes for 6G.
AI from the start. Many topics explored for 5G Advanced will be native in 6G – especially AI.
From model management and data collection to on-path inference and performance verification, AI will support the radio, core, and management layers end-to-end, boosting performance and simplifying operations.
The road ahead
Our takeaways from this 5G SA Roaming testing project are clear:
- Real-device, live network testing is essential to surface and solve roaming-specific issues
- A capable IPX/SEPP mediation layer accelerated interop while preserving security
- Commercial readiness depends as much on Clearing and settlement readiness (BCE) as on radio and core success
This was a minor but significant step – and we’re encouraged. As more operators follow, 5G SA roaming will reach critical mass, bringing slicing, assured QoS, superior voice, and global IoT at scale to travellers and enterprises alike. That momentum won’t just improve today’s experience; it will pave a cleaner, smarter path to 5G Advanced and 6G.
If you’re preparing your own 5G SA roaming program – testing, interop, BCE processes, or commercial launch – let’s compare notes. First movers are already smoothing the road. The sooner we share what works, the faster the industry benefits.
