5G NSA : a key step towards tomorrow’s connectivity

Introduction to 5G NSA

Definition

5G NSA (non-standalone) is a first step towards full 5G. It builds on the existing 4G infrastructure while integrating new 5G antennas to improve network performance. This approach enables rapid deployment of 5G technology with extended coverage, without waiting for a full transition to standalone 5G.

Importance of transition

5G NSA plays a key role in the evolution of mobile networks. It offers gains in broadband, latency and connection capacity, while facilitating a gradual transition to 5G SA (standalone), which will exploit a dedicated infrastructure for optimum performance. Its deployment is favored because it is faster and less costly than 5G SA, enabling operators to offer 5G services without waiting for a complete overhaul of existing infrastructures.

5G NSA architecture

Key components

The 5G NSA architecture combines 4G and 5G infrastructures. It is based primarily on three elements, each with a key function :

• 4G base stations (eNodeB), which remain essential for managing the connection.
• New 5G antennas (gNodeB), to boost data rates and improve latency.
• The 4G network core, essential for providing connectivity services, (EPC), used to ensure smooth communications management.

How it works

5G NSA uses dual connectivity: the signal passes through 4G to establish the connection and switches to 5G to improve performance. This hybrid approach enables operators to offer higher bandwidth and better connectivity, with higher bandwidth and lower latency, while leveraging existing infrastructures to limit costs and accelerate deployment.

Benefits of 5G NSA

Speed and latency

5G NSA brings significant improvements over 4G. It enables significantly higher download speeds and an improved user experience, reaching several Gbps, and reduced latency, offering a smoother experience for users.

Fast polishing

One of the main advantages of 5G NSA is the speed of its deployment. By leveraging existing 4G infrastructure, operators can deploy 5G services more cheaply and quickly than with a standalone network. This enables wider adoption of 5G, particularly in dense urban areas where demand is high.

Application and uses

Use cases

5G NSA enables the development of numerous consumer and professional uses. It improves ultra-high-definition streaming and offers greater stability for demanding applications, latency-free online gaming and facilitates the growth of augmented reality and virtual reality. In industry, it optimizes machine-to-machine communications and accelerates IoT deployment.

Impact on companies

Thanks to 5G NSA, businesses benefit from faster, more stable connectivity, enabling optimized management of connected devices. It enables:

• smoother remote working,
• more responsive cloud services,
• better monitoring of connected equipment.

Sectors such as logistics, healthcare and transport are already exploiting these advances to improve their services.

Challenges and prospects

Technical limitations

Although powerful, 5G NSA still relies heavily on 4G infrastructure, which can limit its capabilities in terms of latency and massive management of simultaneous connections. The absence of a network core entirely dedicated to 5G prevents full exploitation of this technology’s advanced functionalities.

Transition to 5G SA

The natural evolution of 5G NSA is the migration to 5G SA (standalone), based on a 100% 5G infrastructure. This transition will further improve performance, with ultra-low latency and better management of connected objects. However, it requires significant investment and a complete overhaul of the network, which slows down its immediate adoption. In terms of technological evolution, this means that investments will have to be strategically planned.

Orange 5G Lab’s role in 5G NSA

Support for innovation

Orange 5G Lab plays a key role in the adoption of 5G NSA by giving businesses access to secure test environments. Thanks to dedicated platforms, professionals can explore the possible uses of this technology and develop new solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Experimentation and collaboration

Orange provides test infrastructures enabling manufacturers, startups and digital players to evaluate the performance of 5G NSA under real-life conditions. These initiatives encourage co-innovation and accelerate the move to more advanced services, while preparing the transition to 5G SA.

Read also :

• 5G IoT
• 5G industrial
• 5G speed
• 5G antenna
• 5G network infrastructure
• 5G cloud
• lte network
• Digital revolution
• Internet network
• Cellular technology
• New mobile network
• 5G applications
• 4G and 5G speed test
• 5G frequencies
• 5G SA technology
• Wireless technology
• 5G licenses
• 5G network usage

See all sectors