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Blog
20 October 2025
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Learn about 5G monetization, including use cases, common challenges, and the competencies required to successfully monetize 5G networks and improve ROI.
Blog
20 October, 2025
Author
How Premium Service Will Help Operators to Monetize 5G
5G Standalone is the next technological development step for 5G networks. Non-Standalone 5G (5G NSA) networks have been operating partly utilizing the 4G network, but the 5G SA end-to-end network is independent of legacy technologies.
For end users, 5G SA networks can provide even more stable and consistent connections. At best, the connection latency can even be halved from current levels. With such capable networks, 5G monetization becomes a reality, and telecom operators can increase revenue streams from those premium services that that on the way.
Early adopters of new technologies within the consumer segment are known to be precious promoters when they feel that the service experience meets or even exceeds their expectations, meaning that they feel they are getting the full value from their premium subscription. To provide a highly satisfying service experience, the full end-to-end chain – everything from the 5G SA core network to the user’s device – needs to work like a charm.
Learn more about the difference between 5G NSA vs SA
Why 5G SA Service Quality is Vital for Monetizing 5G
5G Standalone (SA) networks introduce significant complexities due to their fully native 5G architecture. Key challenges include the introduction of a new 5G SA core, which demands a shift to cloud-native functions, requiring advanced orchestration and automation while still seamlessly interoperating with legacy systems. For 5G monetization to become a reality, service quality is ever more essential.
Network Slicing Adds Complexity
The deployment of network slicing adds further complexity, as it necessitates precise resource management and end-to-end service assurance. Additionally, 5G SA comes with expectations of ultra-low latency and high reliability, which require rigorous testing and optimization, all while maintaining security across a more distributed and dynamic network environment.
Deployment of 5G SA is Now Kicking Off
According to the latest update on the 5G Standalone ecosystem from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), at least 60 MNOs have launched or deployed public 5G SA networks, with upwards of 50 more planning to do so. The report also reveals that there are over 1,900 announced devices claiming support for 5G SA – a jump of 55% since the end of 2022.
Success Factors for Monetizing 5G SA Networks
Within Elisa Polystar’s existing customer base, there is growing interest in service assurance for 5G SA networks. We can already see proof of successful launches of new 5G monetization models among these same customers.
During an interview with one of our European operators, their 5G SA core operations team emphasized the benefit of having up-to-date software for 5G monitoring and network analysis. 5G network slicing monetization is supported by Elisa Polystar’s Monitoring and Analytics software: OSIX for network monitoring and KALIX for network analytics.
5G SA Core Operations Have Their Finger On The Pulse of the Network
5G SA core operations teams are highly technical domain experts. Their tasks include ramping up new 5G SA sites, assuring the 5G SA core and system upgrades in the fully cloud-native environment, monitoring system behavior, and troubleshooting problems, aiming to stay ahead of issues with predictive monitoring of system behavior.
Equipped with a good Customer Experience Assurance solution for 5G Standalone, they have access to advanced monitoring, from 2G to 5G SA. Network analytics are presented for the 5G SA core in real time, catering to their day-to-day needs.
Device Monitoring and Analytics Assures 5G SA Capabilities in Smartphones and Customer Premises Equipment
Like the core networks operations team, the device monitoring and analysis team are also recognized as technology experts in their domain. They need to identify 5G SA-capable device models and stay up to date with device software version upgrades, which can introduce challenges to device performance. When a customer experiences issues with service quality, efficient problem delineation is essential to speed up the resolution process.
Device Analytics Data is Essential for Monetizing 5G
A high-performance monitoring tool ensures that expert teams can stay on top of device analytics data. They should be able to:
- Benchmark device performance
- Spot underperforming device models and software versions
- Report to device manufacturers when corrective actions are required
- Inform users about known issues
It’s a big advantage to be able to drill down from aggregated analytics data to detailed monitoring data, as it allows experts to differentiate between device-originated and network-originated issues, which is crucial for directing troubleshooting actions to the responsible team to resolve issues in a timely manner.
Customer care teams can also benefit from high-performance network analytics software for 5G SA, as it helps them resolve customer issues online. With a user-friendly and customizable analytics software solution that supports 5G monetization, customer care teams can excel in both 5G technology and communication.
Tech Enthusiasts and Private Network Solutions Provide Use Cases for 5G Monetization
As a new service, 5G SA attracts tech enthusiasts – people who are eager to test new devices and services. 5G monetization is also driven by the growing online gaming community, which is an excellent example of a consumer segment that needs – and demands – low-latency connections.
For the enterprise segment, we are already seeing operators launching private network services leveraging 5G slicing. 5G SA network slices will also support further development of Industry 4.0 applications such as smart factories, as well as healthcare and logistics use cases.
5G monetization can also be driven by the lack of fiber in private housing. In regions where fiber is not well established, 5G slices enable high-speed fixed wireless access connections that provide consumers with more bandwidth and improved latency.
5G SA Enables Monetizing 5G Networks
Operators who are pioneers in introducing 5G SA are in pole position to monetize 5G. They get to serve early adopters of 5G SA services among both consumer and business users and gain a competitive edge as technology leaders. This leaves them superbly positioned to attract customers when 5G SA takes off as a mass market service.
Early adopters, who are eager to try new premium services enabled by 5G SA, will be the promoters and influencers for additional customer recruitment in the future.
For Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that would like to successfully monetize 5G, it is important to deliver high service quality. Up-to-date service assurance software is essential for a commercially successful rollout of new services and the associated new 5G monetization models.
