The document discusses the 5G icon and its implications in mobile networks, detailing various deployment options and migration strategies between different network generations. It highlights the role of the GSMA in representing the interests of mobile operators and outlines the ongoing agreement from the 5G status indicator (5GSI) task force. Additionally, the document notes that the experience of 5G connectivity can vary significantly among operators, regardless of icon representation.

1. The 5G Icon Story
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2. 4.5G Claro
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• https://www.claro.com.br/static/landing/novaera/
• BBB
• CCC

3. AT&T 5GE (E = Evolution = 4.5G = LTE-A Pro)
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Further Details: Tom’s Guide

4. Verizon 5G Ultra-Wideband (5G UWB)
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Verizon 5G website

5. Swisscom 5G (WIDE & FAST)
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More details at Operator Watch Blog
Source: Klaus Liechti, Twitter

6. Sunrise 5G
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Source: Rafael Zeier, Twitter

7. EE 5G (#5GEE)
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Source: Tom Warren, Twitter
Source: Gabriel Brown, Twitter

8. ©3G4G
When does the Smartphone show 5G Icon?

9. 2G/3G/4G Icons
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BSC
BTS
MSC
Voice (PSTN)
Network
SGSN
Data (IP)
Network
RNC
Node BeNodeB
MME
GGSN
Access
Network
Core
Network
Air
Interface
MSUEUE
BSSRNS
S-GW
P-GW
EPC
GSM
GPRS
EDGE
3G
H
HSPA
H+
4G
LTE
4G+
4.5G

10. 5G Deployment Options and Migration Strategy
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EPC 5GC (NGCN)
SA
NSA
eNB EPC
Option 1: SA LTE connected to EPC Option 2: SA NR connected to 5GC
(Standalone)
(Non-Standalone)
[Dual Connectivity]
ng-eNBgNB 5GC
Option 5: SA LTE connected to 5GC
Option 3: NSA LTE assisted NR
connected to EPC
Option 4: NSA NR assisted LTE
connected to 5GC
Option 7: NSA LTE assisted NR
connected to 5GC
Migration
Strategy Option 1
↗ Option 2
↘ Option 3
Option 3
↗ Option 7
↘ Option 5
Option 3
↗ Option 3
↘ Option 2
Option 3
↗ Option 4
↘ Option 2
[EN-DC] [NE-DC] [NGEN-DC]
5GC
5GC
gNB
ng-eNB
5GC
gNB
ng-eNB
EPC
eNB
en-gNB

11. 5G Deployment Options and Migration Strategy
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EPC 5GC (NGCN)
SA
NSA
eNB EPC
Option 1: SA LTE connected to EPC Option 2: SA NR connected to 5GC
(Standalone)
(Non-Standalone)
[Dual Connectivity]
ng-eNBgNB 5GC
Option 5: SA LTE connected to 5GC
Option 3: NSA LTE assisted NR
connected to EPC
Option 4: NSA NR assisted LTE
connected to 5GC
Option 7: NSA LTE assisted NR
connected to 5GC
Migration
Strategy Option 1
↗ Option 2
↘ Option 3
Option 3
↗ Option 7
↘ Option 5
Option 3
↗ Option 3
↘ Option 2
Option 3
↗ Option 4
↘ Option 2
[EN-DC] [NE-DC] [NGEN-DC]
5GC
5GC
gNB
ng-eNB
5GC
gNB
ng-eNB
EPC
eNB
en-gNB
Non-Standalone 5G
Networks, Release-15, all 5G
networks today (SRIT)

12. Option 3: NSA LTE assisted NR, connected to EPC
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• en-gNB: node
providing NR user
plane and control
plane protocol
terminations towards
the UE, and acting as
Secondary Node in EN-
DC.
• In simple English, it’s a
gNB that supports
legacy E-UTRAN
interface
MME/S-GW MME/S-GW
EPC
E-UTRAN
S1-U
X2
X2- U
eNB eNB
en-gNB
en-gNB
Based on:
3GPP TS 37.340 V15.4.0 (2018-12)
Figure 4.1.2-1:EN-DC Overall Architecture

13. Active Data Transfer: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
4G UE
5G UE
4G
5G
5G UE
?

14. Active Data Transfer: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
5G UE
?
5G 5G 5G

15. Idle Mode: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
5G UE
?
5G 5G 5G

16. Idle Mode: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
5G UE
?
5G 5G 5G

17. GSMA (GSM Association)
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The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting more
than 750 operators with almost 400 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem,
including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers
and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The
GSMA also produces the industry-leading MWC events held annually
in Barcelona, Los Angeles and Shanghai, as well as the Mobile 360 Series of regional
conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com.
Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

18. GSMA Proposal on UE state/indicator
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More details on The 3G4G Blog

19. GSMA 5GSI Task Force Reaches Agreement
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5GSI - 5G Status Indicator
More details on this ‘Liaison
Statement’ available on
3GPP website here.

20. UpperLayerIndication in LTE Release-15 SIB 2
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• ENDC-Indication
PLMN-Info-r15 ::= SEQUENCE {
upperLayerIndication-r15 ENUMERATED {true}
OPTIONAL -- Need OR
}
upperLayerIndication
Indication to be provided to upper layers.
The 5GSI task force has reached consensus on a proposal for the definition
of the upperLayerIndication bit. The proposed definition is:
The UE has entered a coverage area that offers 5G capabilities.

21. Active Data Transfer: Based on 5GSI Proposal
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
4G UE
5G UE
4G
5G
5G UE
5G

22. Active Data Transfer: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
5G UE
5G
5G 5G 5G

23. Idle Mode: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
5G UE
5G
5G 5G 5G

24. Idle Mode: 4G or 5G Icon?
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4G 4G 4G 4G
5G 5G5G
5G UE
5G
5G 5G 5G

25. Conclusions and Some Final Words
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• We saw the guidelines and recommendations based on 3GPP and
GSMA 5GSI task force
• The operators are free to follow or ignore this guidance
• Some operators will implement the guidelines in a much stricter
way than specified by the proposal
• While some other operators will implement them in a much more
flexible way
• In addition to above, the following should be borne in mind:
• Some 5G networks will have small bandwidths and would provide
poor speeds, regardless of how 5G icon is implemented
• The 5G icon just by itself does not guarantee a perfect experience. It
will vary widely from operator to operator.

26. Thank You
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