A possible 5G Apple Watch Ultra 3 may spur AT&T and Verizon to expand their 5G networks.
T-Mobile is the only U.S. carrier with a full 5G Standalone network.
T-Mobile is currently the only major U.S. carrier with a nationwide standalone (SA) 5G network. Unlike non-standalone networks that rely on a 4G core and require additional hardware for faster 5G speeds, a 5G SA network operates independently of 4G, enabling features like network slicing and low latency.
T-Mobile launched its nationwide 5G SA network in 2020. AT&T has implemented 5G SA in parts of its network, but it is not yet nationwide. Last month, AT&T introduced 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) to 200 million points of presence, though this is not a complete 5G SA setup. Verizon has had 5G SA in Phoenix, Arizona, since 2023, and has expanded it to other states since 2024, reportedly covering 60% to 70% of its service area.
All three major U.S. carriers now have some 5G SA capabilities, allowing them to offer network slicing to businesses. This involves virtually providing a portion of a 5G signal with specific customizations.
For example, an autonomous car company could request a 5G network slice with ultra-low latency for rapid communication between vehicles, traffic lights, and sensors to prevent accidents. This would prioritize "ultra-reliable low-latency communication."
Dave Bolan, Research Director at Dell’Oro Group, suggests that the introduction of 5G smartwatches may drive growth in 5G SA networks. Because 5G smartwatches do not require the high speeds of smartphones, they will likely use 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap), or 5G NR-Light, which allows devices with lower data needs to operate on 5G.
Bolan stated that AT&T has already announced support for RedCap devices, covering approximately 200 million people, and Verizon is likely to follow. He added that nationwide 5G SA launches for consumers by AT&T and Verizon have not been announced, but that a potential Apple 5G smartwatch launch this fall or winter could prompt AT&T to launch 5G SA for consumers.
The Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3 are expected to be introduced on September 9th along with the iPhone 17 series. These new watches may support 5G, with speculation that Apple will replace Qualcomm and Intel modems with a MediaTek modem that supports 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap).
5G SA networks are expected to bring elements such as new radio (NR), reduced capability (RedCap), and network slicing. NR RedCap will lower the cost and complexity of 5G SA IoT devices, increasing the number of devices like smartwatches and AR glasses on 5G networks. Dynamic network slicing will provide performance on-demand, and static network slicing is being used for fixed wireless access and critical services requiring constant performance.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 may be the first Apple Watch to support 5G connectivity using a MediaTek modem. Other Apple Watch models are expected to support Reduced Capability 5G by 2026.
Top 5G SA network suppliers include Huawei, Ericsson, Nokia, and ZTE. However, due to national security concerns, Huawei and ZTE are banned in the U.S., leaving Ericsson and Nokia as potential suppliers for 5G SA build-outs.
As 5G-Advanced and 6G will likely require 5G SA networks, it is important for AT&T and Verizon to complete their nationwide 5G SA networks.
Carriers using non-standalone 5G networks will likely need to transition to 5G SA by 2030, so AT&T and Verizon should have full nationwide 5G SA before then.