Sometimes, the terminology of the telecommunications world causes great confusion. Today let’s say goodbye to some misunderstandings when we want to differentiate between 5G NSA and 5G SA.
Let’s start by understanding the 5G Core before diving into the differences.
5G Core (5GC)
Often considered the heart and brain of a 5G Network, the 5G Core or 5GC is the enabler that enables next generation networks, the Core consists of the Control Plane, User Plane and Date layer.
The true core is a Service Based Architecture (SBA) that not only drives but also implements quality of service, while also enforcing policy, Signaling, Authentication, Gateway functionality, Analytics and many other aspects related to 5G networks and functions.
Difference between NSA and SA
The main difference between NSA and SA lies in the architectural perspective. 5G (SA) is on Layer 4G, where both operate independently.
The main difference is clear from the words themselves. Standalone 5G networks, commonly known as 5G (SA), refer to networks with independent infrastructure. This type of network can stand on its own.
However, as the name suggests, 5G is not standalone, commonly known as 5G (NSA) needs 4G core to operate.
This also means that network service providers that already have 4G networks can upgrade to non-standalone 5G quickly and easily without having to invest heavily in infrastructure.
However, this does not happen with 5G SA. In this case, the cost of infrastructure deployment will increase significantly. Furthermore, one should not miss the deployment time.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: pagasa.edu.vn