5G Non-Standalone to 5G Standalone – Nokia
Many CSPs are deploying 5G NSA with the aim of evolving to 5G SA as the
technology matures. This calls for the transition from 5G NSA to 5G SA to be
straightforward for the CSP and transparent to the end user. This paper
describes ways to make that transition happen, focusing on the 5G core.
Introduction
By the end of 2025, Ovum expects there to be 3 billion 5G subscriptions, which will be worth
USD 800 billion in annual subscription fees. 3GPP has defined several deployment options to
hasten the introduction of 5G while supporting a move to fuller 5G services.
The industry has aligned on options Non-Standalone (NSA)3X and Standalone (SA)2. Option
NSA3X allows Communications Service Providers (CSPs) to quickly deploy 5G enhanced mobile
broadband (eMBB) service on top of their existing 4G core and radio networks, using 5G radios
to provide high-speed, low-latency data capabilities for their customers. Option SA2 enables
CSPs to offer their customers the full capabilities of 5G technology through the addition of a
cloud-native 5G core.
5G core – ready for networks
Many CSPs have introduced the 5G NSA deployment option 3X, shortly called NSA3X in the
following.
NSA3x is supported by many smartphones able to allow higher data speeds. As well as
smartphones, many different types of device can connect. All devices, from smartphones to
data sticks to Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, are referred to by the generic term User
Equipment (UE).
NSA3x enables 5G radio access by leveraging the existing 4G core, the Evolved Packet Core
(EPC). The 5G core can be introduced in parallel to the existing EPC as an evolutionary step
based on deployment options such as SA2, SA5 and NSA7. Currently the industry is mainly using
SA2 as the next step.
EPC and 5G core will both continue to exist to provide support existing 4G devices, while 5G core
will be the only core network option for 5G greenfield CSPs. Even then, roaming
5G Non-Standalone to 5G Standalone – Nokia
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