What is 5G Non-Standalone Option?
Let me explain what 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) is. In the early stages of 5G deployment, not all networks were ready to provide full 5G capabilities. To address this, a hybrid approach was introduced, combining existing 4G LTE infrastructure with 5G New Radio (NR). This approach is known as 5G Non-Standalone (NSA). Let’s dive deeper into this concept so you can understand how it works and why it’s important.
What is Non-Standalone (NSA) in 5G?
The 5G Non-Standalone option refers to a network architecture where the 5G New Radio (NR) technology is deployed alongside the existing 4G LTE network. In this setup, the 4G LTE network is used as the anchor for controlling the signaling and management, while the 5G NR network is used for enhanced data transfer, providing faster speeds and better performance.
Here’s how it works:
- 4G LTE as the Anchor: In NSA, the 4G LTE network continues to handle essential tasks such as signaling, mobility management, and control plane operations. This means the LTE network maintains control over the user equipment (UE) and ensures the system operates smoothly.
- 5G NR for Data Transfer: The 5G NR technology is primarily used for data transfer, offering significantly higher data rates and lower latency compared to the 4G LTE network. This allows users to benefit from improved speeds and overall performance.
- Dual Connectivity: NSA enables dual connectivity, where the device is connected to both the 4G LTE and 5G NR networks simultaneously. The device will use the LTE network for signaling and the 5G NR network for user plane data (such as internet browsing or streaming).
Key Benefits of 5G NSA
The 5G NSA option offers several advantages, especially in the early stages of 5G rollout:
- Faster Deployment: Since the 5G NR network relies on the existing 4G LTE infrastructure, network providers can deploy 5G more quickly without needing to replace or rebuild their 4G infrastructure.
- Improved Data Speeds: The 5G NR network can provide significantly faster data speeds than the 4G network alone, leading to better user experiences for activities like video streaming, gaming, and browsing.
- Cost-Effective Transition: By using the existing 4G infrastructure, 5G NSA provides a cost-effective way for operators to introduce 5G services while they continue to build out their full 5G standalone (SA) networks.
- Enhanced Coverage: With the 4G LTE network handling signaling and mobility management, users can enjoy better coverage and more reliable connections, even in areas where 5G coverage may not be fully available yet.
How Does 5G NSA Work?
To understand how 5G NSA works, let’s look at the interaction between the 4G and 5G networks:
- Connection Setup: When a user device connects to the network, it first establishes a connection with the 4G LTE network. The LTE network then acts as the control plane, handling basic operations like mobility management and user authentication.
- 5G Data Link: Once the 4G connection is established, the device simultaneously connects to the 5G NR network. This 5G connection is used exclusively for transmitting user data (i.e., the internet traffic) at higher speeds, while the 4G network handles signaling.
- Dual Connectivity: The device remains connected to both the 4G LTE and 5G NR networks, using LTE for control and NR for high-speed data. This dual connectivity allows the user to experience faster data speeds without sacrificing network reliability or coverage.
What Happens When the 5G SA Option is Available?
When the full 5G Standalone (SA) option is deployed, the 5G NR network will take over all the roles previously managed by the 4G LTE network, including both control and user data. This will eliminate the need for LTE as the anchor network, and the 5G core network (5GC) will manage all operations. However, 5G NSA is still important as it provides a smooth transition from 4G to full 5G, allowing operators to start offering enhanced 5G services while they build out the complete 5G network.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) is a transitional approach that combines the existing 4G LTE network with 5G New Radio (NR) technology. It allows for faster deployments, improved data speeds, and cost-effective transitions to 5G. While it may not provide all the benefits of a full 5G Standalone network, 5G NSA plays a critical role in the early rollout of 5G services and offers a practical solution to provide enhanced network performance during the transition phase.