In some ways, using mobile devices and wireless networks is similar to driving a car.
You don’t have to be an engineer to appreciate reliable, high-performance cars. What matters is that it works the way you want it, when you want it. That said, understanding what’s going on under the hood can help you see the differences between makes and models, and give you new insight into a reliable ride.
The same is true for wireless networks. Understanding what’s happening under the hood can help reveal factors that drive performance and reliability. And that’s important to everyone.
Verizon gave a glimpse inside when it announced it would begin moving commercial traffic to the 5G core, a key component of its network, in late 2022. This core features an all-new design that can support standalone and non-standalone 5G. Among other advanced technologies. These are great advances, but what do they actually mean and why do they matter to businesses and consumers?
What is 5G Standalone (SA) technology?
When thinking about 5G SA technology, it’s helpful to think about the Radio Access Network (RAN) and its core, the part of the network that wirelessly sends and receives data to and from devices (such as mobile phones and tablets). This is a backend system that connects to the wider world of the Internet and provides access to computing and workload capabilities.
When 5G first started being rolled out around 2018, it was typically built on 5G radio access networks that used a 4G core. This means you can deploy 5G while achieving faster speeds and increased reliability without creating an entirely new network infrastructure. This approach was called 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) and was a necessary intermediate step as the world transitioned from his 4G to 5G.
