UTH's expert 5G Drive Testing service enabled BT Group to identify and address performance gaps
Overview
In the rapidly evolving telecommunications landscape, 5G Standalone (SA) technology represents a significant leap forward, offering enhanced capabilities and performance beyond its Non-Standalone (NSA) predecessor. To ensure a seamless transition and deliver an exceptional user experience from the outset, it is essential to validate and optimise network performance, not just in comparison to legacy networks but also as a foundation for future innovations.
BT Group, which operates EE - the UK’s best and most reliable network with superfast 4G and 5G, engaged UTH for Drive Testing to ensure its new 5G SA network met customer expectations from day one while serving as a robust platform for next-generation services. This case study details how UTH's expert 5G Drive Testing service enabled BT Group to identify and address performance gaps, optimising its 5G SA network to deliver superior connectivity and unlock the full potential of future innovations.
Why UTH
We have a team with more than 20 years of experience in telecommunication with 5 years in the 5G Standalone space. We have seen 5G SA as a technology from the day of its incubation and closely followed its trajectory.
We understand MNOs around the world are launching 5G SA with “service parity” in mind. Designing, integrating & testing services with 5G SA to deliver similar services as with 5G NSA is a challenging and expensive task prone to mistakes.
Our end-end-end competence in 5G Core (AMF, SMF, UPF, NRF, PCF), EPC, Charging, IT, UDM, IMS, NG-RAN & N1 UEs help identify any issues or faults in the 5G SA network that may arise due to incorrect design, integration, acceptance testing or reasons such a device behaviour, defects that show itself only in Live network.
We have wide experience in 5G SA drive testing and know how to identify a fault in a 5G SA network interworking with 2G, EPC & Wi-Fi. Our goal is help you reach the desired level of quality when it comes to service parity of 5G SA with 5G NSA in a more efficient and cost-effective manner.
Challenges
BT Group, recognising the transformative power of 5G SA, sought to ensure that their new network worked as per design and that the configurations were repeated across all the sites correctly. 5G SA, with its new 5G Core and service-based architecture, introduces complexities related to interworking with the EPC and Wi-Fi, SBI, security, device behaviour, and overall operation.
Our Solution
Service-Based Drive Testing Framework
Our Drive testing services are meticulously designed to ensure optimal performance of the 5G SA network from day one, meeting customer expectations while also laying the foundation for future services. This approach provided BT Group with the confidence to scale and roll out its 5G SA network, which it is now doing so at pace across the UK.
UTH’s service-based 5G drive testing includes:
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Network Design Analysis: We began by thoroughly analysing BT Group’s network design for the 5G Core, EPC and RAN to map service behaviour and create a tailored solution.
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Service List Definition: A detailed service list was compiled, encompassing critical areas such as
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Voice (VoNR, EPC Fallback, VoWiFi)
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Data Session (Mobility & Session)
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Handover Performance (Connected & Idle between 5GS and EPC)
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VoWiFi-VoNR-VoNR handover
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Security (SUCI, mTLS, oAuth 2.0)
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SBI (Selection & Resiliency)
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Device behaviour (N1 mode handling)
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Drive Testing Execution: Execute drive testing on routes provided by BT Group. Collect UE, RAN and 5G Core traces.
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In-Depth Analysis and Reporting: The collected traces was thoroughly analysed in conjunction with UTH’s network design (solution map) and service list to create a Drive Testing “Test Report” highlighting all issues (Service, impact, call-flow, reason) and recommend possible fixes. This enabled BT Group to investigate and resolve any issues ahead of launching the network.
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Issue Tracking and Validation: We maintained a record of all identified issues, facilitating the validation of implemented fixes. Subsequent retests in the same routes ensured that BT Group achieved the expected performance levels, enhancing customer experience and enabling a strong platform for future network capabilities.
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Best Practice and Future-proofing: Beyond addressing immediate issues, we provided insights from industry best practices when it comes to 5G SA operations & rollout.
BT Business Benefit
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Optimised 5G SA Network: Our service-based 5G Drive Testing helped identify and resolve critical defects prior to launch, preventing potential delays in subscribers onboarding and negative initial perception. This translated to a highly successful 5G SA launch across 15 major cities, with a threshold of 95% population coverage in each location. This has been followed by a swift rollout to new towns and cities across the city, with EE’s 5G SA network already covering approximately one-third of the UK population (correct as of March 2025).
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25-30% saving on repeated drive testing
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Improved Quality of repeatable 5GSA configuration and dual mode core conversion: By ensuring that each core site configuration worked end-to-end from device to RAN to Core , BT Group was able to achieve all launch criteria with full confidence in the configuration and performance of its new 5G SA network.
Conclusion
UTH's service-based 5G Drive Testing played a crucial role in ensuring that BT Group's 5G SA network met expectations from day one, while also serving as a robust platform for future services. By identifying and addressing any issues across the network, we enabled BT Group to deliver a superior user experience, and establish a strong foundation for continued innovation in the 5G landscape. This performance has been validated by a number of independent industry benchmarking reports, including recognition from Ookla that EE has executed one of the most comprehensive 5G SA deployments in Europe.
This case study exemplifies UTH's commitment to helping MNOs unlock the full potential of 5G SA.
Service Flow
2-3 days from drive testing to test report
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