5G Standalone (SA) has been one of the biggest promises in telecom for years — true low latency, network slicing, and real-time data connectivity without relying on legacy 4G cores. But there’s been a missing piece: roaming. Most providers are still stuck in 5G NSA (Non-Standalone), meaning international roaming still passes through older signaling systems.

That’s why Comfone’s move is big news.

The Swiss-based connectivity giant has officially launched its commercial 5G SA roaming signaling service, powered by BroadForward’s Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP). After a year of testing with two major Asian operators, the service is now live and ready for mobile operators, MVNOs, and IoT connectivity players.

What Exactly Did Comfone Launch?

Comfone is now providing secure, scalable and fully GSMA-compliant 5G SA roaming services using BroadForward’s SEPP technology. SEPP acts as a protective gateway between networks — handling all HTTP/2-based 5G signaling traffic, securing inter-operator communications and preventing cyber threats or protocol mismatches.

BroadForward’s SEPP is built on the company’s BFX Unified Signaling Core, a software-based architecture that supports everything from 2G to 5G: STP, Diameter, DRA/DEA, SCP, signaling firewalls, and number portability. In simple words, it’s a modular solution that helps operators migrate to 5G SA without ripping out existing systems.

Comfone supports both GSMA-approved deployment models:

• Hosted SEPP
• Outsourced (managed) SEPP

Meaning: operators can either plug into Comfone’s infrastructure or let Comfone fully manage the signaling process.

A Roaming Expert Since 1991

Comfone isn’t new to roaming. The company has been in the space for over 30 years, offering IPX interconnect (GRX, SS7, Diameter, HTTP/2), hubbing, and clearing services. Its Key2roam Platform connects more than 500 networks and manages over 70,000 roaming agreements via a single contract — something very few competitors can replicate.

More than 600 customers use Comfone’s services today, from MNOs and MVNOs to IoT providers, SMS aggregators, and OTT platforms.

Industry Context: Why 5G SA Roaming Is a Big Deal

According to Juniper Research, global wholesale roaming revenues are expected to jump from $9 billion in 2024 to $20 billion by 2028, largely driven by 5G SA adoption and IoT connectivity growth.

But here’s the issue — only a small share of operators worldwide are live with 5G SA domestically, and even fewer support 5G SA roaming. Compatibility, signaling security, and commercial complexity have slowed the rollout.

That’s where Comfone and BroadForward step in — offering a turnkey solution so operators don’t have to build SEPP infrastructure themselves.

So how does this compare to other players?

Comfone is not alone in this race. Other IPX providers like Syniverse, BICS, and Tata Communications are also testing or deploying 5G SA roaming solutions.
However:

• Comfone is ahead in commercial readiness, not just trial-based testing.
• BICS is strong in data analytics and fraud prevention, but its 5G SA deployments are still largely in pilot stages.
• Syniverse has scale, but its transition to cloud-native signaling is slower than smaller, more agile players like BroadForward.

Final Thoughts—What Comes Next?

Comfone’s launch signals a turning point: 5G SA roaming is no longer a future concept—it’s here and commercially viable. But challenges remain.

The biggest roadblocks?

• Many operators still don’t have 5G SA cores.
• Roaming testing across continents is expensive and slow.
• Security requirements for SEPP are high, and regulation is tightening.

Still, Comfone’s move — backed by BroadForward’s software-first architecture — shows that cloud-native, interoperable roaming is achievable without a complete network overhaul.

For operators, MVNOs, and IoT providers, the message is clear: 5G SA roaming is no longer optional — it’s becoming a competitive requirement.