Free Mobile was the first operator in France to offer 5G SA in an offer accessible to individuals. If Android smartphones have been benefiting from this for several weeks already, on Apple’s side, iPhone owners are waiting for an iOS update to support 5G SA compatibility. According to an indiscretion, everything is ready at Free and now everything is in the hands of Apple!
The arrival of Free Mobile’s 5G SA on the iPhone depends on Apple
Free Mobile created a surprise by being the first operator in France to offer 5G SA (Stand Alone) to its general public subscribers. This new technological advance in infrastructure represents a real leap forward. 5G SA offers improved performance in terms of downstream throughput compared to 5G NSA (Non Stand Alone).
A few days after its announcement, Orange followed by announcing 5G SA to its professional subscribers. However, one big absence continues to be talked about: iPhones are still not compatible with this 5G SA, unlike many Android smartphones.
5G SA: What is it and why is it important?
5G Stand Alone differs from 5G NSA, it relies solely on 5G infrastructure, without depending on existing 4G networks. This independence allows 5G SA to deploy its full potential in terms of speed, ultra-low latency and new features such as slicing (network segmentation), which is particularly useful for businesses.
For the end user, the benefits of 5G SA are numerous:
- Higher flow : faster speeds than those offered by 4G or even 5G NSA, allowing for faster downloads and better streaming quality.
- Reduced latency : very low latency which favors real-time uses such as online games or high-quality video calls.
- Improved management of connected devices : 5G SA is capable of handling a much larger number of devices, which is essential for the Internet of Things (IoT).
Apple’s role in the delay of 5G SA on iPhone
During Free Communities Day on October 18, the question of the absence of 5G SA on iPhone was raised. Dylan Legros, a Free subscriber very present on social networks and the UniversFreebox forum, provided important clarifications: it is not Free which is blocking the situation, but Apple.
Indeed, for devices to benefit from 5G SA, each operator must provide smartphone manufacturers with a specific settings file, called IPCC. (International Portable Configuration Code). This file contains network settings that allow devices to properly connect to carrier infrastructures. Free Mobile has already done what is necessary by sending its file to Apple, but before the update is available on iPhones, tests must be carried out by the Cupertino company to validate these settings.
According to Dylan Legros, Apple has not yet validated this file for its iPhones, which is delaying the activation of 5G SA for Free users. This obviously creates frustration for iPhone owners at Free Mobile, because with Android smartphones it is already possible to take advantage of this new technology.
Until the Cupertino giant validates and deploys this update, Free subscribers with an iPhone will have to make do with 5G NSA, which although fast, does not offer all the advantages of a completely autonomous 5G. All that remains is to hope that Apple speeds up the process so that its users can finally benefit from the full capabilities of the Free Mobile network.
