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You are here: Home / 5G / What are 5G frequency bands

What are 5G frequency bands

Last Modified: June 24, 2023 by Rajiv 10 Comments

5g-frequency-band

Like any wireless transmission system, 5G – the fifth-generation mobile communication network also requires to use the frequency spectrum to transmit data. In order to support higher bandwidth, 5G requires a high-frequency range of sub 6 GHz and millimeter waves. What are the radio frequency bands used in 5G communication system?

Page Contents hide
1 Why does 5G require a high-frequency spectrum?
2 Relationship between Frequency and Bandwidth
3 Sub 6GHz spectrum
4 Advantages of sub-6GHz spectrum
5 5G – NR (New Radio)
6 5G Frequency Bands
6.1 Low Band 5G Spectrum
6.1.1 Common Low Bands used in 5G
6.2 Mid Band 5G Spectrum
6.2.1 Common Mid Bands used in 5G
6.3 High Band 5G Spectrum
6.3.1 Common High Bands used in 5G

Why does 5G require a high-frequency spectrum?

Conventional GSM and LTE network uses a frequency range below 4 GHz range. It has limitations due to bandwidth. A significant increase in bandwidth is necessary to support an enhanced mobile broadband experience. At higher frequency ranges, such as millimeter waves, many unused spectrums can be utilized efficiently with higher bandwidth.

Relationship between Frequency and Bandwidth

Technologies like 5G have to support higher data rate requirements which traditional GSM or LTE network is not capable of. The bandwidth of a transmitting signal is the distance between the lower and upper cut-off frequency. If a higher frequency is used, wider bandwidth can be utilized for data transmission.

In 5G systems, service providers are planning to use bandwidth of 500MHz to even up to 1-2 GHz.

Sub 6GHz spectrum

Sub 6GHz spectrum is the candidate for early deployment of 5G networks globally. It will use unused spectrum below the 6GHz range; it can support higher bandwidth than LTE frequency bands.

Advantages of sub-6GHz spectrum

Compared to the millimeter wave spectrum, frequency below 6GHz is less complex in infrastructure development, deployment, and future network enhancements. Modifying existing systems at lower frequencies (700MHz or 3GHz range) is possible for earlier deployments of 5G systems.

Moreover, the unlicensed spectrum doesn’t require authorities’ approval (in many countries). Network operators can quickly develop, test and deploy unlicensed spectrum more efficiently than costly GSM/LTE bands.

5G – NR (New Radio)

5g-new-radio

5G NR – new radio is a new standard for ultra-fast 5G networks. It will make use of unlicensed spectrum below 6 GHz and above 6 GHz (millimeter range). 5G NR is designed to support a highly scalable network capable of future enhancements.

5G frequency bands are categorized into two groups based on the frequency spectrum. 

FR1: Sub 6GHz range of the radio frequency spectrum is known as frequency range 1 (FR1). Any LTE/5G frequency band under the 6GHz range is categorized under the FR1 group.

FR2: frequency bands in the millimeter wave (above 24GHz) spectrum are categorized under FR2. Due to the higher bandwidth of millimeter waves, these bands can achieve gigabits per second speed on a 5G network.

Find: What is 5G-NR (New Radio) and how it works?

5G Frequency Bands

Radio Frequency bands used in the 5G system are subdivided into three groups according to their frequencies: 

Low Band 5G Spectrum 

A usable frequency spectrum below 1GHz is known as Low Band in 5G. Low-frequency spectrum provides more comprehensive coverage and can penetrate obstacles better. Service providers are familiar with these bands since the introduction of 2G networks, and they are commonly used globally. 

Common Low Bands used in 5G

NR Operating BandUplinkDownlinkDuplex Mode
LowHighLowHigh
n71663 MHz698 MHz617 MHz652 MHzFDD
n28703 MHz748 MHz758 MHz803 MHzFDD
n5824 MHz849 MHz869 MHz 894MHzFDD
n8880 MHz915 MHz925 MHz  960 MHzFDD

5G-Frequency-Bands-Low

Mid Band 5G Spectrum 

The mid-band frequency is a good choice for both urban and suburban areas because it provides a balance between coverage and capacity. Mid bands were commonly used in earlier 5G deployments due to their higher bandwidth to provide higher data rates than low bands. 

Common Mid Bands used in 5G

NR Operating BandUplinkDownlinkDuplex Mode
LowHighLowHigh
n11920 MHz 1980 MHz 2110 MHz  2170 MHzFDD
n21850 MHz 1910  MHz1930 MHz 1990 MHzFDD
n31710 MHz 1785 MHz1805 MHz 1880 MHzFDD
n801710 MHz1785 MHzN/AN/ASUL
n402300 MHz 2400 MHz2300 MHz 2400 MHzTDD
n412496 MHz2690 MHz2496 MHz2690 MHzTDD
n72500 MHz2570 MHz2620 MHz 2690 MHzFDD
n783300 MHz3800 MHz3300 MHz3800 MHzTDD
n773300 MHz4200 MHz3300 MHz4200 MHzTDD
n794400 MHz5000 MHz4400 MHz5000 MHzTDD

5G-Frequency-Band-Mid

High Band 5G Spectrum 

High-frequency bands provide fast data transfer and quick response times, but their coverage is limited and mainly utilized in crowded cities. High band spectrum operates in the millimeter wave frequency range, suitable for higher bandwidth applications for ultrafast data. 

Common High Bands used in 5G

NR Operating BandUplinkDownlinkDuplex Mode
LowHighLowHigh
n25726.5 GHz 29.5 GHz 26.5 GHz  29.5 GHzTDD
n25824.25 GHz 27.5 GHz24.25 GHz 27.5 GHzTDD
n26037 GHz 40 GHz37 GHz 40 GHzTDD
n26127.5 GHz28.35 GHz 27.5 GHz 28.35 GHzTDD
5G-Frequency-Band-High

The FCC is driving key spectrum initiatives to enable 5G across Low-band, Mid-band, and High-Band

 

In many countries, 5G systems are still in trial, and frequency bands are yet to be finalized. We will update once each country/region officially announces its 5G network deployment spectrum.

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Filed Under: 5G

About author

I'm Rajiv, a senior application engineer with 15 years of experience in RF Test & Measurement solutions. Interested in LTE, 5G, IoT, Wireless technologies, LabVIEW and C#.

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