5G NSA Evidence and Diagnosis | Generated by AI
Yes, almost certainly 5G NSA. Here’s the evidence from your diagnostics:
Definitive proof:
1. Same CGNAT IP on both: 14.31.170.218
→ Core network didn't change, only the radio layer did
→ SA would give you a different IP range and different routing
2. Same traceroute structure: 172.20.10.1 → 192.168.147.x → 192.168.242.x
→ Same private IP hops = same 4G EPC core
→ SA would show different gateway paths
3. Same NAT type: Port-Restricted Cone
→ Determined by the core network, not the radio
→ Unchanged = same core = NSA
4. Worse latency + jitter: 89ms→136ms, ±3.6ms→±44ms
→ NSA adds 4G/5G coordination overhead
→ SA would show LOWER latency than 4G
You can also confirm on your iPhone directly:
Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Voice & Data
If it shows “5G Auto” or “5G” (not “5G SA” or “5G+ Standalone”), that’s NSA. China Telecom’s 5G rollout is predominantly NSA — SA is only available in select test cities and requires specific plan/SIM support.
Bottom line: Your 5G is running on a 4G core with 5G radio bolted on. The 2x speed boost is real (fatter pipe), but the latency penalty is the NSA tax. You’ll only see true 5G latency (<10ms) when China Telecom deploys SA in your area — which is probably years away.