5G Frequency Band

The radio frequency spectrum is like a highway for wireless communication, with different bands serving as lanes for different purposes. In the case of 5G, multiple frequency bands are used to cater to various needs and applications. These bands can be categorized into three main groups:

Low-Band: Low-band frequencies, typically under 1 GHz, offer wide coverage but are limited in data speed and capacity. They are suitable for providing 5G coverage over large areas, making them essential for rural and suburban regions.

Mid-Band: Mid-band frequencies, falling between 1 GHz and 6 GHz, strike a balance between coverage and speed. They provide faster data rates and are crucial for urban areas and industrial applications.

High-Band (mmWave): High-band or millimeter-wave frequencies, ranging from 24 GHz to 100 GHz, deliver extremely high data speeds but have limited coverage. They are primarily used in dense urban areas and venues where high capacity is crucial.

The Role of Frequency Bands in 5G

Each of these frequency bands plays a distinct role in making 5G the game-changer that it is.

1. Low-Band Frequencies (Sub-6 GHz)

Low-band frequencies, including the 600 MHz and 700 MHz bands, are like the workhorses of 5G. They cover extensive areas, making them essential for providing broad 5G coverage in both urban and rural settings. However, they offer moderate speed improvements compared to older 4G networks.
Verizon and AT&T have been utilizing these frequencies to offer nationwide 5G coverage, making it accessible to a larger portion of the population.

2. Mid-Band Frequencies

Mid-band frequencies, such as the 3.5 GHz band, are the sweet spot for 5G. They offer a balance between coverage and speed, making them ideal for urban areas, suburban communities, and industrial applications. Mid-band frequencies provide a substantial boost in data rates and reduced latency compared to low-band frequencies.
T-Mobile has been a major player in deploying mid-band frequencies to create its extensive 5G network. The results are noticeable as consumers experience faster downloads, smoother streaming, and a more responsive network.

3. High-Band (mmWave) Frequencies

High-band or millimeter-wave frequencies, in the range of 24 GHz to 100 GHz, represent the pinnacle of 5G performance. These ultra-high frequencies provide blazing-fast data speeds, making them perfect for high-density urban environments and large event venues.
Verizon, for instance, has rolled out mmWave-based 5G in parts of cities to offer peak data rates. However, mmWave's limitation lies in its shorter range and limited ability to penetrate obstacles, such as buildings, which makes it more challenging to implement widely.

The Significance of Frequency Bands in 5G

Frequency bands are pivotal in shaping the 5G experience. Here's why they matter:

1. Diverse Applications

The use of multiple frequency bands enables 5G networks to cater to diverse applications. Low-band frequencies ensure that 5G is available even in rural areas, while mid-band frequencies enhance the experience in urban environments. High-band frequencies, on the other hand, are perfect for applications that require extremely high data speeds, such as augmented reality and virtual reality.

2. Coverage and Capacity

Different frequency bands offer varying levels of coverage and capacity. Low-band frequencies provide broad coverage, ensuring that even remote areas receive 5G signals. Mid-band frequencies strike a balance between coverage and capacity, catering to densely populated regions. High-band frequencies deliver immense capacity but over shorter distances.

3. Speed and Latency

The higher the frequency, the faster the data speeds. High-band frequencies offer exceptional data speed improvements, a key selling point of 5G. Reduced latency, or the delay between sending and receiving data, is also a significant advantage of using high-band frequencies, making real-time applications like gaming and remote surgery feasible.

The Evolution of Frequency Bands in 5G

The rollout of 5G is an ongoing process, and frequency bands continue to evolve. Here's a glimpse of what's on the horizon:

1. New Frequency Bands

5G is not confined to existing frequency bands. New bands are continuously being identified and allocated. The 6 GHz band, for example, is gaining attention as it offers a balance between coverage and speed, making it a valuable addition to the 5G landscape.

2. Dynamic Spectrum Sharing

Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) is a technology that allows carriers to share the same spectrum bands for both 4G and 5G. This means that 5G can coexist with existing 4G networks, ensuring a smooth transition.

3. Satellite Frequencies

In the race for 5G supremacy, satellite frequencies are also being considered. The use of satellite frequencies can extend 5G connectivity to remote and underserved areas, eliminating the digital divide.

Band	Duplex mode	ƒ (MHz)	Common name	Subset of band	Uplink (MHz)	Downlink (MHz)	Duplex spacing (MHz)	Channel bandwidths (MHz)
n1	FDD	2100	IMT	n65	1920 – 1980	2110 – 2170	190	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50
n2	FDD	1900	PCS	n25	1850 – 1910	1930 – 1990	80	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40
n3	FDD	1800	DCS		1710 – 1785	1805 – 1880	95	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50
n5	FDD	850	CLR	n26	824 – 849	869 – 894	45	5, 10, 15, 20, 25
n7	FDD	2600	IMT‑E		2500 – 2570	2620 – 2690	120	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50
n8	FDD	900	Extended GSM		880 – 915	925 – 960	45	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 35
n12	FDD	700	Lower SMH	n85	699 – 716	729 – 746	30	5, 10, 15
n13	FDD	700	Upper SMH		777 – 787	746 – 756	−31	5, 10
n14	FDD	700	Upper SMH		788 – 798	758 – 768	−30	5, 10
n18	FDD	850	Lower 800 (Japan)	n26	815 – 830	860 – 875	45	5, 10, 15
n20	FDD	800	Digital Dividend (EU)		832 – 862	791 – 821	−41	5, 10, 15, 20
n24	FDD	1600	Upper L-band (US)		1626.5 – 1660.5	1525 – 1559	−101.5	5, 10
n25	FDD	1900	Extended PCS		1850 – 1915	1930 – 1995	80	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45
n26	FDD	850	Extended CLR		814 – 849	859 – 894	45	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
n28	FDD	700	APT		703 – 748	758 – 803	55	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
n29	SDL	700	Lower SMH		—	717 – 728	—	5, 10
n30	FDD	2300	WCS		2305 – 2315	2350 – 2360	45	5, 10
n34	TDD	2100	IMT		2010 – 2025		—	5, 10, 15
n38	TDD	2600	IMT‑E	n41, n90	2570 – 2620		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40
n39	TDD	1900	DCS–IMT Gap		1880 – 1920		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40
n40	TDD	2300	S-Band		2300 – 2400		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n41	TDD	2500	BRS		2496 – 2690		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n46	TDD	5200	U-NII-1–4		5150 – 5925		—	10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100
n47	TDD	5900	U-NII-4	n46	5855 – 5925		—	10, 20, 30, 40
n48	TDD	3500	CBRS (US)	n77, n78	3550 – 3700		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n50	TDD	1500	L‑Band (EU)		1432 – 1517		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80
n51	TDD	1500	L‑Band Extension (EU)		1427 – 1432		—	5
n53	TDD	2400	S band		2483.5 – 2495		—	5, 10
n54	TDD	1600	L-band		1670 – 1675		—	5
n65	FDD	2100	Extended IMT		1920 – 2010	2110 – 2200	190	5, 10, 15, 20, 50
n66	FDD	1700	Extended AWS		1710 – 1780	2110 – 2200[B 8]	400	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45
		2100
n67	SDL	700	EU 700		—	738 – 758	—	5, 10, 15, 20
n70	FDD	2000	Supplementary AWS		1695 – 1710	1995 – 2020	300	5, 10, 15, 20, 25
n71	FDD	600	Digital Dividend (US)		663 – 698	617 – 652	−46	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35
n74	FDD	1500	Lower L‑Band (US)		1427 – 1470	1475 – 1518	48	5, 10, 15, 20
n75	SDL	1500	L‑Band (EU)		—	1432 – 1517	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50
n76	SDL	1500	L‑Band Extension (EU)		—	1427 – 1432	—	5
n77	TDD	3700	C-Band		3300 – 4200		—	10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n78	TDD	3500	C-Band	n77	3300 – 3800		—	10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n79	TDD	4700	C-Band		4400 – 5000		—	10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n80	SUL	1800	DCS		1710 – 1785	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40
n81	SUL	900	Extended GSM		880 – 915	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20
n82	SUL	800	Digital Dividend (EU)		832 – 862	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20
n83	SUL	700	APT		703 – 748	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30
n84	SUL	2100	IMT		1920 – 1980	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50
n85	FDD	700	Extended Lower SMH		698 – 716	728 – 746	30	5, 10, 15
n86	SUL	1700	Extended AWS	n80	1710 – 1780	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 40
n89	SUL	850	CLR		824 – 849	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 50 (sic)
n90	TDD	2500	BRS		2496 – 2690		—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n91	FDD	800	DD (EU)	n20, n51	832 – 862	1427 – 1432	570 – 595[B 11]	5, 10[B 12]
		1500	L-Band (EU)
n92	FDD	800	DD (EU)	n20, n50	832 – 862	1432 – 1517	600 – 660[B 11]	5, 10, 15, 20
		1500	L-Band (EU)
n93	FDD	900	Extended GSM	n8, n51	880 – 915	1427 – 1432	527 – 547[B 11]	5, 10[B 12]
		1500	L-Band (EU)
n94	FDD	900	Extended GSM	n8, n50	880 – 915	1432 – 1517	532 – 632[B 11]	5, 10, 15, 20
		1500	L-Band (EU)
n95	SUL	2100	IMT		2010 – 2025	—	—	5, 10, 15
n96	TDD	6000	U-NII-5–8		5925 – 7125		—	20, 40, 60, 80, 100
n97	SUL	2300	S-Band		2300 – 2400	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n98	SUL	1900	DCS–IMT Gap		1880 – 1920	—	—	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40
n99	SUL	1600	Upper L-band (US)		1626.5 – 1660.5	—	—	5, 10
n100	FDD	900	Rail Mobile Radio (RMR)		874.4 – 880	919.4 – 925	45	5
n101	TDD	1900	Rail Mobile Radio (RMR)	n39	1900 – 1910		—	5, 10
n102	TDD	6200	U-NII-5	n96	5925 – 6425		—	20, 40, 60, 80, 100
n104	TDD	6700	U-NII-6–8		6425 – 7125		—	20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100
n105	FDD	600	Digital Dividend (APT)		663 – 703	612 – 652	−51	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35

Band	Duplex mode	ƒ (MHz)	Common name	Uplink (MHz)	Downlink (MHz)	Duplex spacing (MHz)	Channel bandwidths (MHz)	Notes
n255	FDD	1600	L-band	1626.5 – 1660.5	1525 – 1559	−101.5	5, 10, 15, 20	US
n256	FDD	2100	S-band	1980 – 2010	2170 – 2200	190	5, 10, 15, 20	IMT

Band	ƒ (GHz)	Common name	Subset of band	Uplink / Downlink (GHz)	Channel bandwidths (MHz)	Notes
n257	28	LMDS		26.50 – 29.50	50, 100, 200, 400
n258	26	K-band		24.25 – 27.50	50, 100, 200, 400
n259	41	V-band		39.50 – 43.50	50, 100, 200, 400
n260	39	Ka-band		37.00 – 40.00	50, 100, 200, 400
n261	28	Ka-band	n257	27.50 – 28.35	50, 100, 200, 400
n262	47	V-band		47.20 – 48.20	50, 100, 200, 400
n263	60	V-band		57.00 – 71.00	100, 400, 800, 1600, 2000	[D 1]

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