Question

What is 5G NR?

Solution

5G New Radio (NR) is the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks which offers higher data capacities and download speeds with less latency than its predecessors. With increased bandwidth 5G makes it possible for many different devices to be connected on a smaller surface.

The 5G technology does not consist of a single framework but multiple different technologies. It’s important to know about these so you can make the right decisions for your IoT products. 

NSA or SA?

When you connect to a 5G network this could be either to a Non-Standalone (NSA) or Standalone (SA) network. 

5G NSA, as the name suggests, does not only utilize 5G but 4G as well. The 4G LTE network is still the core and controlling network, and 5G technology is used concurrently to offload the 4G network.

The 5G SA network however consists only of its own 5G NR core network which handles everything. 

Note that not every module supports both these technologies and may not support 5G SA for every band. Make sure you read through the product’s data sheet and hardware guide for the specifics. These can be found on every product’s page on our web shop. 

FR1 and FR2

The frequency bands for 5G NR technology are classified into so-called FR1 and FR2 frequency ranges. The FR1 class is in the Sub-6 GHz band range. Other technologies such as 3G and 4G also have frequencies transmitted that are below 6 GHz. Whereas the FR2 class consists of frequency bands above 24 GHz, also called millimeter wave (mmWave). 

FR1 bands are fit for better range. While the higher frequencies of FR2 with larger bandwidths are used for short-range, higher data rates and lower latency. 

Are you having trouble connecting to a 5G NR network? See FAQ “How to troubleshoot your 5G connection issues”