Frequency Bands in Mobile Networks
Frequency bands are crucial in determining the performance, coverage, and capacity of mobile networks. This page provides an overview of the frequency bands used in 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies.
Frequency Band Categories
- Low-band: Below 1 GHz, excellent coverage and building penetration
- Mid-band: 1-6 GHz, good balance of coverage and capacity
- High-band (mmWave): Above 24 GHz, extremely high capacity but limited coverage
5G Frequency Bands
Key frequency bands used in 5G networks
| Band | Frequency Range | Type | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| n1 | 1920-1980 MHz (UL) / 2110-2170 MHz (DL) | FDD | 2100 MHz |
| n3 | 1710-1785 MHz (UL) / 1805-1880 MHz (DL) | FDD | 1800 MHz |
| n28 | 703-748 MHz (UL) / 758-803 MHz (DL) | FDD | 700 MHz |
| n41 | 2496-2690 MHz | TDD | 2.5 GHz |
| n77 | 3300-4200 MHz | TDD | C-Band |
| n78 | 3300-3800 MHz | TDD | C-Band |
| n258 | 24250-27500 MHz | TDD | 26 GHz (mmWave) |
Importance of Frequency Bands
- Determine network coverage and capacity
- Influence signal penetration through buildings and obstacles
- Affect device power consumption and battery life
- Impact network deployment strategies and costs
- Enable global roaming capabilities