The 5G SA roaming connection runs between networks from Belgian operator Proximus and Middle Eastern operator stc Kuwait
BICS announced that it has enabled the “world’s first-ever” intercontinental 5G Standalone (SA) roaming connection. The real-world connection runs between a 5G SA network from BICS’ parent company, the Belgian mobile operator Proximus, and Middle Eastern operator stc Kuwait’s 5G SA network.
“This is the first time anyone has ever carried out a successful live connection across borders using 5G Standalone,” commented Mikaël Schachne, VP of telco market at BICS. “By establishing 5G SA roaming, we’ve broken down the barriers to bring the power of this technology to international communications. This is an important step for the industry, and accelerates the benefits of 5G to potential consumers and enterprises around the world.”
As mandated by GSMA, connectivity between the two networks was set up via secured gateways, a security network architecture introduced in 5G that is referred to the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP). The SEPP gateways are hosted on BICS’ IPX network and according to the company, enabled faster and more efficient implementation and management of the connection.
The SEPP, as detailed by GSMA, acts as the security gateway on interconnections between home network and visited networks. It provides application layer, end-to-end authentication, integrity and confidentiality protection via signatures and encryption, critical management mechanisms for setting cryptographic keys, as well as enables message filtering and policing, topology hiding and validation of JSON objects.
The companies involved in the roaming connection were clear on how the development is a big step forward for 5G SA more broadly. 5G SA, said Eng. Fahad Al Ali, CTO at stc Kuwait, said that it will bring “untold benefits” that will ”enrich the lifestyles of both individual and corporate customers.”
“This new roaming connection with BICS and Proximus means it is now the first to offer 5G roaming spanning the widest coverage area across the world. It’s going to bring stc customers exceptional connectivity at high-data speeds and offer them the same 4G and 5G data plans at no additional costs when abroad,” he added.
Further, according to Geert Standaert, CTO at Proximus, successful 5G roaming is “a huge watershed moment” for the company is it will help deliver on its promise to deliver the true experience of 5G to its customers.
