What Is the Difference Between NSA and SA?

A major telecom transformation is underway, with 5G SA  preparation already in progress. According to The 5G Economy, 5G is expected to create a $12 trillion market opportunity for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs).

For mobile operators, adopting 5G technology is key to offering high-speed connectivity to customers on fifth-generation-enabled devices.

MNOs have two options for transitioning from traditional legacy cores to 5G:

1. Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA)
2. Standalone Architecture (SA)

While both serve the same purpose, their architecture and functionality differ.

What is 5G Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA)?

Non-Standalone Architecture allows MNOs to leverage their existing network and mobile core infrastructure, avoiding the need to deploy an entirely new core for 5G.

With NSA, MNOs can deploy a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) supported by the existing Evolved Packet Core (EPC), reducing both capital (CAPEX) and operational (OPEX) expenditures.

To further reduce costs, MNOs can incorporate virtualized Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN).

By following this approach, MNOs can quickly open new 5G revenue streams and offer faster data speeds.

What is 5G Standalone Architecture (SA)?

5G Standalone Architecture vs 5G Non-Standalone Architecture

Unlike NSA, the 5G Standalone Architecture (SA) offers a solution for deploying an entirely new core architecture defined by 3GPP. This requires mobile network operators (MNOs) to implement changes, such as adopting Service-Based Architecture (SBA) and functionally disintegrating various network components.

While the 5G SA architecture provides end-to-end high-speed performance and full-service assurance, it introduces additional infrastructure costs and the complexity of managing multiple cores within the network.

In contrast to 5G NSA, which uses a new Radio Access Network (RAN) alongside the existing 4G LTE Core (EPC), 5G SA requires the installation of both a new radio and the 5G Core (5GC). Additionally, 5G SA demands the development of a fully virtualized, cloud-native architecture (CNA) to facilitate the creation, deployment, and management of 5G services.

What is 5GC?

The 5G Core (5GC) enables high throughput, offering performance that exceeds standard 5G network demands. Virtualized SBA implementation allows MNOs to deploy complete 5G software network functions efficiently.

5G NSA vs 5G SA: Key Differences

Although both architectures aim to deliver high-speed data, their design and operation differ significantly.

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5G Non-Standalone Architecture (NSA) vs. 5G Standalone Architecture (SA)

5G Non-Standalone Architecture
The Network Radio (NR) of NSA 5G is the early version of SA 5G Network Radio, supported by the existing LTE infrastructure. This architecture focuses on enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), where 5G devices use mmWave frequencies for increased data capacity but rely on 4G infrastructure for voice communication. It allows businesses to quickly launch 5G with minimal budget and infrastructure changes, offering them a competitive advantage. By leveraging existing LTE/VoLTE infrastructure, MNOs can increase capacity and improve efficiency. However, it does not support network slicing, ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), or machine-type communications (MTC). Despite this, users will benefit from enhanced broadband speeds, enabling high-quality video streaming, augmented reality, virtual reality, and immersive media experiences.

5G Standalone Architecture
SA 5G features a cutting-edge NR that integrates enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (MTC). It provides higher multi-gigabit data rates, improved efficiency, and lower costs. This architecture is built on a new 5G Core infrastructure, exclusively supporting 5G devices and offering high-quality communication. The SA 5G NR utilizes a new end-to-end structure that uses both mm-waves and sub-GHz frequencies. Unlike NSA, it does not rely on 4G LTE infrastructure, resulting in higher upfront costs for implementation. The high reliability and low latency of 5G SA are essential for demanding applications like smart-grid control, robotics, drone management, and industrial automation. Additionally, it supports advanced operations such as network slicing, URLLC, and mMTC, enabling ultra-low latency for a wide range of next-gen use cases, including remote control of critical infrastructure and self-driving vehicles.

Mobile Network Operators aiming to provide 5G services to their customers quickly are currently focusing on NSA deployments. This approach allows them to compete by delivering 5G speeds without heavy investment. However, many MNOs plan to transition to 5G SA as the technology matures. Although NSA is a practical solution in the short term, SA will offer a more robust and future-proof option as 5G becomes widespread.

Author: AJ

As a passionate blogger, I'm thrilled to share my expertise, insights, and enthusiasm with you. I believe that technical knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. That's why I take the time to craft detailed, well-researched content that's easy to follow, even for non-tech. I love hearing from you, answering your questions, and learning from your experiences. Your feedback helps me create content that's tailored to your needs and interests