that it has achieved several "firsts" as it works on its standalone 5G network. A standalone 5G network uses a 5G New Radio (NR) system and a 5G packet core; the latter is a technology that allows voice and data to run over the same architecture. A non-standalone 5G network uses the 5G NR but works with a 4G LTE packet core. Carriers are using the non-standalone network to start transitioning subscribers to 5G while eventually, the goal is to build standalone 5G networks. Or as T-Mobile puts it, "In tech terms, standalone 5G will eliminate the need for a mid-band LTE anchor, cutting out some ...