The global 5G market is entering a pivotal stage. While non-standalone (NSA) deployments have driven early coverage and adoption, the industry now faces a key challenge, transitioning to 5G standalone (SA) roaming.
Insights from a recent Kaleido Intelligence webinar and related research highlight that 2026 will be a turning point for SA roaming. The question is no longer “if” but “when” mobile network operators (MNOs) will be ready to lead this evolution or risk being left behind.
The Revenue Opportunity Is Real and Growing
Kaleido’s research projects global 5G roaming revenues will reach $30 billion by 2028,1 with most roaming traffic driven by 5G. As international travel resumes and enterprise digitalization accelerates, roaming is once again a major growth driver, not just a wholesale service.
NSA technology cannot unlock the full value of 5G. Standalone architecture introduces a cloud-native, service-based core that enables automation, real time charging, advanced security, and network slicing. These features let operators move from generic data bundles to SLA-based, premium roaming services for verticals such as automotive, logistics, and industrial IoT. SA roaming is the critical link between 5G investment and long-term monetization.
Survey Insights: Making Progress, But Not Yet Prepared
MNO surveys show progress, but also uncertainty. While hundreds of MNOs have launched 5G domestically and nearly 200 are investing in SA, commercial SA roaming activity is still limited. About 25 MNOs plan to launch SA roaming in 2026, yet almost 80 percent admit they are not fully prepared today. 2
Wholesale teams remain focused on scaling 4G and NSA roaming, with SA readiness still in development. Many MNOs are evaluating commercial models, ROI, and ecosystem maturity before moving forward. The pressure to accelerate execution is clear.
The Customer Experience Gap Is Increasing
A key insight from the panel discussion was the growing experience gap. In markets where SA is expanding rapidly, millions of subscribers are used to high-speed, low-latency connections at home. When traveling, these users face a sharp contrast if forced to fall back to LTE or NSA, transforming a technical issue into a brand problem.
As one presenter on the panel noted, 5G SA is no longer just a premium feature, it is becoming the standard. Roaming must evolve to maintain customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
Technical Change Demands Commercial Change
Transitioning from NSA to SA roaming is a major architectural shift. SA introduces HTTP/2 based signaling, replacing legacy protocols such as Diameter and GTP. It requires 5G Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) deployment for secure connections and topology hiding. Billing must evolve from TAP to real-time Billing and Charging Evolution (BCE). Seamless interworking between 4G, NSA, and SA will remain essential for years.
These challenges have made operators cautious, but hosted SEPP and integrated IPX solutions are emerging to reduce costs and speed onboarding. MNOs that align their signaling, security, settlement, and policy strategies now will be ready to scale as the market matures.
Enterprise Is the Long-Term Value Driver
Survey data indicates that enterprise use cases, especially IoT and industry-specific solutions, will create much of the future value for SA roaming. IoT roaming connections could approach 480 million by 2030, opening new applications in transport, automotive, and industry.3
Enterprise monetization will not happen automatically. MNOs must build secure interconnect frameworks, SLA-based roaming agreements, and dynamic policy controls to deliver differentiated services. 5G SA roaming is about more than speed — it enables programmable, cross-border connectivity.
The Strategic Imperative
5G SA roaming is more than a technical improvement. It is a strategic shift for MNOs to:
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Protect customer experience
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Monetize advanced services
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Support enterprise transformation
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Secure future roaming revenues
Early commercial launches in 2026 will set benchmarks for others to follow. The time to prepare is now.
The debate is no longer about whether 5G SA roaming will happen, but how quickly MNOs can align infrastructure, partnerships, security, and monetization to capture its benefits.
With multi-billion dollar revenue potential, rising enterprise demand, and higher customer expectations, SA roaming is becoming vital for 5G success.
MNOs who act now will lead the industry. Those who wait may be forced to follow.
Explore the full research and hear from industry experts on operator readiness, technology, and commercial strategy on our dedicated landing page.
Find:
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Access to the full research report
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On-demand webinar replay
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Additional resources to support your 5G SA roaming plans
Contact us today to prepare for the next evolution in global roaming.
