3GPP Explainer

Radio Technologies and Frequency Bands

Overview of 4G and 5G radio technologies

Radio access technologies and frequency bands are fundamental to the performance and capabilities of mobile networks. This page provides an overview of key radio technologies used in 4G LTE and 5G NR systems, as well as the frequency bands allocated for these technologies.

Radio Access Technologies
Key radio technologies used in 4G and 5G networks
mmWave

High-frequency bands (24-100 GHz) offering extremely high data rates and low latency for short-range communications.

Advantages:

  • Ultra-high bandwidth
  • Low latency
  • Massive device connectivity

Challenges:

  • Limited coverage
  • Susceptible to obstacles
  • Higher power consumption
Sub-6 GHz

Frequency bands below 6 GHz, providing a balance between coverage and capacity.

Advantages:

  • Better coverage than mmWave
  • Good balance of speed and range
  • Improved building penetration

Challenges:

  • Lower peak data rates compared to mmWave
  • More congested spectrum
Massive MIMO

Use of a large number of antennas to improve spectral efficiency and network capacity.

Advantages:

  • Increased network capacity
  • Improved energy efficiency
  • Enhanced signal quality

Challenges:

  • Complex signal processing
  • Higher hardware costs
5G NR Key Features
Explore the key features of 5G New Radio (NR) technology
3GPP Frequency Bands
Key frequency bands used in 4G LTE and 5G NR
BandFrequency RangeTypeCommon Name
n11920-1980 MHz (UL) / 2110-2170 MHz (DL)FDD2100 MHz
n31710-1785 MHz (UL) / 1805-1880 MHz (DL)FDD1800 MHz
n28703-748 MHz (UL) / 758-803 MHz (DL)FDD700 MHz
n412496-2690 MHzTDD2.5 GHz
n773300-4200 MHzTDDC-Band
n783300-3800 MHzTDDC-Band
n25824250-27500 MHzTDD26 GHz (mmWave)

Note: This table shows a selection of commonly used frequency bands. For a complete list of 3GPP frequency bands, please refer to the official 3GPP specifications.

5G NR Frequency Ranges
Key frequency ranges used in 5G New Radio
  • FR1 (410 MHz - 7125 MHz): Sub-6 GHz bands, including low-band and mid-band spectrum
  • FR2 (24.25 GHz - 52.6 GHz): mmWave bands for high-capacity, short-range communications
  • C-Band (3.3 GHz - 4.2 GHz): Important mid-band spectrum for 5G deployments
  • n41 (2.5 GHz): Popular band for 5G deployments, offering a good balance of coverage and capacity
  • n78 (3.3 GHz - 3.8 GHz): Widely used C-Band spectrum for 5G in many countries
Illustration of 5G NR frequency ranges
4G LTE Frequency Bands
Common frequency bands used in 4G LTE networks
  • Band 1 (2100 MHz): Widely used FDD band for LTE
  • Band 3 (1800 MHz): Popular band for LTE deployments globally
  • Band 5 (850 MHz): Provides good coverage, especially for indoor use
  • Band 7 (2600 MHz): Offers high capacity for urban areas
  • Band 20 (800 MHz): Digital Dividend band, providing excellent coverage
  • Band 40 (2300 MHz): TDD band used in various regions
Illustration of common 4G LTE frequency bands
Importance of Frequency Bands in 3GPP Standards
Understanding the role of different frequency ranges in mobile networks
  • Low-band (sub-1 GHz): Provides wide coverage and good building penetration, ideal for rural areas and indoor use
  • Mid-band (1-6 GHz): Offers a balance between coverage and capacity, suitable for urban and suburban areas
  • High-band (mmWave, above 24 GHz): Enables extremely high data rates and low latency, but with limited coverage, ideal for dense urban areas and specific use cases
  • Spectrum allocation varies by country and region, influencing network deployment strategies
  • Carrier aggregation techniques allow operators to combine multiple frequency bands for improved performance
Illustration of low-band, mid-band, and high-band frequency ranges
Future Trends in Radio Technologies
Emerging concepts and technologies for future mobile networks
  • Advanced antenna technologies, such as Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)
  • Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in radio resource management
  • Exploration of Terahertz (THz) frequencies for ultra-high-speed, short-range communications
  • Enhanced spectrum sharing techniques for improved spectrum efficiency
  • Further development of Full-Duplex radio systems
Futuristic visualization of advanced radio technologies

Learn more about the future of mobile networks in our Future Trends page.

References
Sources used in this content
  1. TS 23.501 - System Architecture for the 5G System. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
  2. TS 38.300 - NR and NG-RAN Overall Description. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
  3. TS 23.401 - General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
  4. 3GPP - About 3GPP Home. Accessed on 2025-01-23.
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