Operator facing challenges for adapting 5G SA core
It has been observed that operators are facing various challenges for adapting 5G SA core. The reasons are
The first challenge is to build all the systems as cloud- native.
This is not just virtualizing the network functions. Cloud native means complete re-architecture and re-building of software application based on container and micro-service architecture.
Right now many operators have already deployed so many VNF's in their network. Replacing all the VNF's will be challenging and very huge investment.
The second challenge is 5G coverage. In 5G NSA deployment, it rely on existing 4G coverage. 5G deployments are on higher band and naturally coverage area will be less.
So, most of the people will not have 5G coverage
Third challenge what operators are seeing that carrier aggregation issue.
The carrier aggregation is nothing but running low band and high band together.
Operator could push all uplink signaling into frequencies that provide better coverage. But this would still leave the service provider with fewer bands and less quality than it probably enjoys with NSA.