5G SA (standalone) activation on bell:

[Zadigre]

Since summer 2022, 5G SA (standalone) has been available on bell. There’s an option on iPhone 14 or newer to enable it. But I’ve read on different places you have to call to get it activated on your account and only enterprise customers can have it enabled. Is that still the case today?

I’ve enabled it in my iPhone settings… but according to the field test app, my iPhone stays on LTE radio Access (I believe when 5G SA is working, it should say 5G)

[WelshTerrier · Accepted solution]

5G SA is available on all iPhones 12 or newer. Your carrier, in our case Bell, must support it which they do.

You must also have a 5G Cellular plan & a 5G SIM.

When you are using 5G SA, the 5G icon will show in the status bar. If you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, there will be no icon showing in the status bar, only signal strength bars. If you turn off your Wi-Fi you will be able to see whether you are connected 5G or LTE

Here is a link from Apple Support that explains 5G SA

Use 5G with your iPhone - Apple Support (CA)

[Zadigre]

thank for the reply... but this is not what I'm looking for. 

5G SA has nothing to do with the 5G icon. 5G icon will show if you are on 5G SA or 5G NSA. 

they only way to know you are connected to 5G SA is by looking in the filed test app (dial *3001#12345#* on an iPhone) and check radio access. If it says LTE, you're not on 5G SA. 

I want to know if 5G SA is only accessible by enterprise customers. If not, what do we get access ? Just enabling the switch in options does not seems to have any effect. 

[HS6_OB6]

I have an option on my iphone 15 Pro to activate the 5G standalone, but when i check with the field test *3001#12345#* it shows that the connection type is NSA (non standalone). Doesnt matter what I activate or not 5G auto/On, with or without standalone option activated, it is always the same. Is there a way to make it effective ?

[Jiimy]

Unfortunately, I was told that this service is not available for me as it is only for enterprise customers that means for businesses only. So, the announcement from Bell since 2022 is not for everyone and this feature is not activated by default. This time to have it we have to run a bussiness, and this is so annoying and not fair. I will place a complaint with Bell if not I will move forward .

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. Given the variance of 5G signals, the shorter distance the signal can travel and the parts of Canada where it is not available, you may get better cell service by allowing your phone to choose the best signal. I have found no advantage to the 5G Standalone setting where I am. Parts of my area are also not served by 5G. They are LTE at best and sometimes drop to 4G. 

[moesma]

Hi, I was wondering if 5G Standalone is still only activated for business accounts? If not, how can I activate it for my acc?

I'm already on ultimate 200G plan and my phone is p8pro.

Thanks 

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Bell does not currently offer 5G Standalone service as an add-on option for residential mobility accounts.

I have included the most current 5G & 5G+ information that is available on Bell.ca.

5G and 5G+ Networks | Network | Bell Canada

Connect to mobile networks on a Pixel phone - Pixel Phone Help

For further information please contact Bell Mobility. Please call: 1 800 667-0123 or dial *611 from any Bell mobile device.

Take care.

[moesma]

Is there any schedule on when it'll become available to residential users since it's been available since 2022 for enterprise customers?

[dks]

Thank you for your question. Briefly, no. Bell does not reveal their plans for services until they are announced. Your best option is to watch the cellular map or keep trying it on your phone. When it appears as a setting, you will have it available to you. 

[Jiimy]

I have the same complaint but no one will do anything for i, as it is not for everyone but only for enterprise costumers. Forget it.

[dks · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your question. I found an excellent article explaining 5G Standalone or 5G SA here.  It is clear that 5G SA is intended for enterprise applications, to allow more devices to connect to the network. 

The article says, "5G standalone supports ultra-high-density deployments, such as IoT use cases involving dense populations of sensors and controllers in smart buildings. 5G SA can support up to 1 million devices within a single square kilometer. It also supports ultra-low-latency use cases that 5G NSA cannot, such as real-time control of robotic equipment in a warehouse or factory."

There are no listed consumer benefits to 5G SA over 5G NSA or Non Stand Alone connections. I suspect Bell uses 5G NSA for their consumer cellular network, reserving 5G SA for their business cellular accounts. 

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