The full potential of 5G cannot be reached until operators implement the Standalone version of the 5G New Radio standards, which involves implementing a virtualized, and preferably cloud-native, core. Until operators have this core, their initial 5G NR Non-Standalone roll-outs, which rely on a slightly updated LTE core, will deliver little more than 4G++. Deploying the new core will be no mean task, however, which is why every MNO with plans to launch 5G in 2019 or 2020 has opted for the simpler first step of Non-Standalone. And while a few will start to deploy the 5G core next year, the majority – according to Rethink’s operator surveys – indicate they will start the process in 2022 or later. Of…