Telcos begin standalone 5G deployment to unlock true 5G potential
All the current commercial 5G rollouts by telecom companies globally are based on non-standalone (NSA) architecture, which helped them with quick go-to-market to monetize 5G services.
However, NSA technology has limitations in unlocking 5G’s full potential to support the majority of industrial use cases. Against the backdrop, telcos are scaling their NSA 5G network with standalone (SA) infrastructure, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
5G standalone (SA) and 5G non-standalone (NSA) are two different ways to deploy 5G networks.
5G Standalone (SA)
5G SA is a fully independent 5G network that does not rely on the existing 4G LTE network. It has its own core network, which is responsible for routing data and managing connections between devices. This gives 5G SA several advantages, including:
- Lower latency: 5G SA can achieve lower latency than 5G NSA because it does not have to relay data through the 4G LTE core.
- Improved performance: 5G SA can support higher data rates and more connections than 5G NSA because it is not limited by the capacity of the 4G LTE core.
- New use cases: 5G SA can support new use cases, such as massive machine-type communications (mMTC) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), which are not possible with 5G NSA.
However, 5G SA is also more complex and expensive to deploy than 5G NSA. This is because it requires a new core network to be built from scratch.
5G Non-Standalone (NSA)
5G NSA is a transitional mode of operation for 5G networks. It uses a 5G radio access network (RAN) to connect to a 4G LTE core network. This gives 5G NSA some of the benefits of 5G SA, such as higher data rates and more connections, but it also has some of the limitations of 4G LTE, such as higher latency.
5G NSA is a good option for operators who want to start rolling out 5G services while they are still building their 5G core network. It is also a good option for operators who do not have the budget to deploy a fully independent 5G network.
The standalone (SA) mode of 5G NR refers to using 5G cells for both signalling and information transfer. It includes the new 5G Packet Core architecture instead of relying on the 4G Evolved Packet Core, to allow the deployment of 5G without the LTE network.
Venkata Naveen, Senior Disruptive Tech Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “SA 5G is the next crucial step for wireless connectivity, which has the potential to unravel a range of future transformative applications for businesses. It offers faster connection times, low latency, and instant access for diverse industry applications, including smart factories, retail, smart cities, and connected vehicles.”
An analysis of GlobalData’s Disruptor Intelligence Center reveals how various telcos have fared with SA 5G rollouts so far.
T-Mobile rolled out world’s first nationwide SA 5G network in the US that uses its 600 MHz spectrum. Though the company rolled out 600 MHz 5G networks last year, they were based on the NSA architecture. With the shift to SA 5G, the operator expanded its network coverage to over 250 million people and reduced latency by 40%.
AT&T is currently testing SA 5G infrastructure with plans to deploy the network across the US by the end of 2020, while anticipating scaling up in June 2021.
Verizon completed its first trial for end-to-end data transmission successfully over its SA 5G network. It has plans to shift its mobile traffic from NSA by the end of 2020, with full commercialization in 2021.
Vodafone launched the UK’s first live SA 5G deployment at Coventry University. The network will initially be used to boost the training outcomes of student nurses using virtual reality. The move comes a year after the operator launched commercial 5G based on NSA network technology.
In the rest of the world, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom have started upgrading their existing network infrastructure to SA 5G in China; Ericsson in Europe has plans to switch to SA 5G in 2021.
Mr Naveen concludes: “The need for high-speed internet connectivity is becoming crucial now more than ever with an intertwined virtual and physical presence, where demand for remote work, education, healthcare, and e-commerce is increasing. Looking forward, the SA 5G networks have the potential to unleash many direct-to-consumer use cases that have never been possible before.”
