Tag: frequency

5G: How Does mmWave Compare to Sub-6GHz

5G networks come in two main forms. First, we have sub-6GHz, which is what most users are running off at this time. Second, we have mmWave, which is the super-fast 5G that is hard to find right now, but it’s capable of changing the future of technology. 

Before we break down some more details and differences, let’s go back to the basics. Cellular devices transmit data over the air using electromagnetic radio frequencies. These frequencies are organized into different frequency bands. Some of these bands have more capacity than others and are able to deliver information faster. This is the case with mmWave.  

In comparison, Sub-6GHz 5G isn’t much different than LTE. Some bands are actually similar frequency ranges as what was used in 3G and 4G/ LTE. While the frequencies themselves only offer a small improvement in terms of speed over LTE, more spectrum with sub-6GHz means more bandwidth and faster user speeds.

mmWave covers higher frequency radio bands than we’ve ever used for cellular. These range from 24GHz to 40GHz. Sub-6GHz refers to mid and low-frequency bands under 6GHz. Low-frequency bands are under 1GHz, while mid-bands range from 3.4GHz to 6GHz and are not considered “mmWave.”

Due to its wide availability and range, mid-band will be the most practical for users. Mid-band 5G can cover wide distances and also has capabilities to carry high volumes of data at high speeds. It can deliver real-world speeds of around 100 to 500 Mbps. mmWave 5G devices can offer maximum speeds of around 4-5Gbps, although consumer speeds are often lower. In reality, you might only see a few hundred megabits per second, unless you have a direct line of sight with a mmWave cell tower. 

5G FREQUENCY BANDS

Some of the most widely used mid-band 5G frequencies include n77 (TD 3700), n78 (TD 3500) and n79 (TD 4700). The n78 band — at 3.5GHz — is one of the most popular 5G frequencies in use worldwide. Unfortunately, since it falls into the sub-6GHz spectrum, you won’t get mount-dropping speeds, but it will help offer better coverage and a stronger signal. Similarly, the n41 band is also pretty popular. This the same 2.5GHz frequency that carriers have used for 4G and 3G deployments on Sprint’s network in the past. Now, T-Mobile has repurposed it from LTE to 5G Standalone use in the US.

While browsing 5G cellular devices, you may also see 5G bands such as n1 (2100 MHz), n2 (1900 MHz), n3 (1800 MHz), n5 (850 MHz), n7 (2600 MHz), n8 (900 MHz), n12 (700 MHz), n40 (TD 2300), n41 (TD 2500), n48 (TD 3600), n66 (AWS-3), etc. These are low-band 5G frequencies that have a much wider reach in comparison to mid-band and mmWave. mmWave includes 5G bands like n258 (26 GHz), n260 (39 GHz) and n261 (28 GHz). 

When purchasing a new cellular modem, make sure you don’t get stuck on how many 5G bands it supports. Instead, look at the type of 5G network in your location and choose accordingly. Mid-band 5G is emerging as the preferred choice in most parts of the world. That’s where most carriers will focus in the coming years. So we should expect to see more speed and capability out of these frequencies. 


For more about 5G frequency bands, check out our blog here.

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5G Frequency Band Information

With the growing 5G coverage and release of more 5G modems on the router market, we thought it would be nice to ring in the new year with some facts about 5G frequency bands. 

  • Low-band 5G operates between 600-850 MHz. This is similar to what 4G networks currently use and is only moderately faster than 4G, between 50-250 Mbps offering similar coverage areas for each cell tower. Not all cities and regional operators are deploying low-band 5G towers; some are opting to start with mid-band towers. Even so, it’s possible for a 5G device to connect to a low-band 5G network and achieve speeds similar to 4G/LTE.                                                                       
  • Mid-band 5G operates in the 2.5-3.7 GHz range and delivers speeds between 100-900 Mbps. While offering less range per cell tower, this type of 5G is going to be the most common implementation of 5G networks for many years to come. It’s a reasonable compromise between network speed and range in both medium-density urban areas and less dense rural regions. 
  • High-band 5G is the band that is most commonly associated with 5G. Operating at 25-39 GHz, this is known as the “millimeter wave” spectrum and delivers gigabit speeds (some tests have shown as high as 3 Gbps). The tradeoff is that millimeter wave transmitters have very limited range and require the deployment of many small transmitters, so it’s only viable in urban areas where transmitters can be near closely spaced homes and buildings.
  • ISM Band (Industrial, Scientific and Medical band) This is not usually discussed, but it is a part of the radio spectrum that can be used for any purpose without a license in most countries. In the US, the 902-928 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.7-5.8 GHz bands were initially used for machines that emitted radio frequencies, such as RF welders, industrial heaters and microwave ovens, but not for radio communications. In 1985, the FCC Rules (Part 15.247) opened up the ISM bands for wireless LANs and mobile communications. In 1997, it added additional bands in the 5 GHz range under Part 15.407, known as the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII). Europe’s HIPERLAN wireless LANs use the same 5 GHz bands, which are titled the “Broadband Radio Access Network.” Numerous applications use the ISM/U-NII bands, including cordless phones, wireless garage door openers, wireless microphones, vehicle tracking and amateur radio.

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To Be, or Not to Be 5G…

That is the question indeed, on many of our minds! Much like the confusion around AT&T and T-Mobile’s 4G HSPA+ – an update to 3G, but not quite comparable to LTE performance – carriers are leading customers to believe they’ll be getting all that 5G service has been promising – faster speeds and lower latency. However, that’s not quite the case. 5G operates on many different bands, some of which are simply repurposed from LTE. This makes it typically better than LTE, but not quite at the level of 5G (or at least our perceptions of what it should be). 

So what about the coverage maps showing 5G service? And your phone says 5G sometimes, right? Here’s what that can mean…

  • 5G running on Low Band spectrum is the slowest, but it has the advantage of considerable range
  • Mid-band can’t travel as far, but is faster
  • High Band spectrum, which is sparsely available, may travel only a mile but is by far the fastest.

An analysis done by OpenSignal released last week found that their testers connected with T-Mobile 5G just 34.7% of the time, AT&T 16.4% of the time and Verizon just 9.7%. And that’s generally not for the fastest 5G service.

In comparison, the numbers shown have quite a significant difference to what the carriers promise about 5G in their advertisements. This just goes to show you that not everything advertised is in fact true. Carriers admit they are still working on their 5G networks and that there is quite a bit of “dishonesty in advertising.” Still, we can see in the fine print how they manage to get away with it. Though, you wonder for how long? 

National Advertising Division – a division of the independent non-profit organization BBB National Program – has criticized claims made about 5G by all three of the companies. “5G right now is (in) the fake it until you make it stage,” said Harold Feld, of advocacy group Public Knowledge which promotes affordable communication, adding that when new technology is developed, advertising often gets ahead of actual deployment.

For more on this story, head to the Washington Post.

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