5G Devices SA Migration Scenarios

3GPP has defined two major 5G architectures- 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) and 5G Standalone(SA). NSA architectures feature the use of both LTE and 5G New Radio (NR) to connect to either an existing 4G Core Network (CN) or to a (new) 5G Core Network. By defining the two major architectures and the possible options (RAN and CN) within each approach the industry has created a toolbox for evolving from 4G to 5G.

Taking a devices perspective, this white paper looks specifically at how Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) who currently operate 4G and 5G NSA networks can evolve to support 5G SA networks.To ensure the coexistence of 5G and 4G Devices, enabling the use of the new 5G Core Network,operators need to manage a transition period in which both 5G deployment architectures are present.This paper presents a way to handle and optimize this transition. The goal is not only to guarantee an effective usage of the most valuable FDD and TDD Sub-6 bands (< 6GHz) but also effective usage of all frequency assets.