When you want to select best 5g wifi router with sim card slot, you’ll face the problem of 5G NSA and SA, what’s NSA and SA, and what’s the difference between them?

NSA is Non-standalone, full name is non-independent networking, which refers to the deployment of 5G network using existing 4G infrastructure, it is a one-to-many networking method, which means one core network has two base stations. 5G network is placed in 4G infrastructure, 4G base stations coexist with 5G base stations on the base station side. It can be understood that 4G core network remains same, 5G network is implemented by changing base station to a 5G base station. 5G bearer based on NSA architecture only carries user data, control signaling is still transmitted through 4G network.

SA is standalone, full name is independent networking, which refers to the newly built 5G network, not only include base station but also backhaul links and core, which is core network with base station. 5G technology is used from core network to base station, providing better low-latency Experience, SA is building 5G network from scratch, of course the initial coverage is limited due to high construction cost, but it is indeed the future development direction and final form of 5G.

What’s the difference between NSA and SA?

1.NSA doesn’t have 5G core network, while SA has 5G core network, this is a key difference. In NSA network, terminal device connect to both LTE and NR wireless access technologies; In SA network, terminal device connect to NR wireless access technology only.

2.Under NSA networking, 5G and 4G interoperate at access network level, complex interconnection leads to higher latency; Under SA networking, 5G network is independent from 4G network, 5G and 4G interoperate at the core network level only, interconnection is simple so the latency is low.

3.From theoretical rate point of view, the peak rate of NSA exceeds 300Mbps, while SA can reach 2Gbps, indicating that SA has more advantages in speed.

4.NSA fixes 5G control signaling on 4G base station; SA solution is that 5G base station is directly connect with 5G core network, control signaling does not rely on 4G network at all.

5.NSA is a 5G network deployed by integrating current 4G base station and network architecture; SA needs to rebuild 5G base station and back-end 5G networks to fully realize all the features and functions of the 5G network.

Advantages of 5G NSA+SA

Flexible deployment: 5G NSA+SA mode can choose networking method flexibly according to different scenarios and requirements. In scenarios that require rapid deployment and cost savings, NSA mode can be used; In scenarios that require high speed and low latency, SA mode can be used.

Efficient coverage: Combining NSA and SA can achieve wider network coverage to meet different regions and users’ requirements.

Reduce cost: Using NSA mode to deploy 5G networks quickly in initial stage can reduce construction cost, it will transition to SA mode gradually to achieve comprehensive 5G network coverage as 5G technology matures.

Promote industry innovation: 5G NSA+SA mode provides a variety of application scenarios for various industries such as intelligent manufacturing, unmanned driving, telemedicine, smart city, smart home, environmental monitoring etc., accelerating digital transformation of the industry.