An electronic device performs data exchange with a network side device through a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) link. When the electronic device meets a first preset condition, the electronic device actively sends first user equipment (UE) assistance information to the network side device. The first UE assistance information includes a first field. An uplink secondary component carrier count (reducedCCsUL) sub-information element carried in the first field is a first value or the first field does not carry any sub-information element. The first value is greater than 0. In response to the first UE assistance information, the network side device establishes a new radio (NR) link to the electronic device.