G non-standalone (5G NSA) architecture uses a 4G network as an anchor to deliver eMBB or FWA services and enables operators to deploy a 5G network relatively quickly. Operators will be able to continue to use the technology and spectrum investments needed to support NSA when future use cases are rolled out using SA architecture.
5G standalone (5G SA) architecture is the full implementation of 5G capabilities and includes a new core cloud-based network that is not required for NSA architecture. Use cases that require ultra-reliable, low-latency communications (URLLC) and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) will create more demand on the network, which will only be met with SA architecture.