You may have heard the term “Cat” before when it comes to Ethernet cables (e.g. Cat 5, Cat 6), but what about when someone is talking about cellular? “Cat” refers to the category of a 4G LTE modem (5G does NOT use categories). 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a cellular technology in which both voice and data service can operate.

Categories are used to define the performance specs of the LTE device. They range from 1 to 22 and differ with regards to the frequency band support as well as the upload and download speeds they are capable of running. For example, Cat 1 modems can download at up to 10 Mbps (megabits), while Cat 22 modems are going to receive download speeds of up to 4 Gbps (gigabits).

Cat 7/ Band 48

Private LTE (as well as 5G) networks (referred to as “non-public networks” by 3GPP, the mobile telecommunications standards organization) are networks that use licensed, shared, or unlicensed wireless spectrum and LTE or 5G cellular networking base stations, small cells, and other Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure to transmit voice and data to edge devices, including smart phones, embedded modules, routers, and gateways. Band 48 in particular is used for CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service), which is a band of radio frequency covering between 3.5GHz to 3.7GHz. There are 3 types of users of CBRS - Incumbent users (e.g. US Naval Radar systems), Priority Access Licensees (PAL) (e.g. businesses, hospitals, colleges, factories), General Authorized Access (GAA) (e.g. phones, tablets, laptops, home routers). While download speeds will stay within 300Mbps, upload speeds can get up to 100Mbps with these modems.

LTE Category	Max Download Speed	Max Upload Speed
Cat 1	10 Mbps	5 Mbps
Cat 3	100 Mbps	50 Mbps
Cat 4	150 Mbps	50 Mbps
Cat 6	300 Mbps	50 Mbps
Cat 7	300 Mbps	100 Mbps
Cat 11	600 Mbps	75 Mbps
Cat 12	600 Mbps	100 Mbps
Cat 15	800 Mbps	226 Mbps
Cat 18	1200 Mbps	300 Mbps
Cat 20	2000 Mbps	300 Mbps
Cat 22	4000 Mbps	450 Mbps

Q&A

How does CBRS affect the future of 5G?

CBRS plays a significant role in expanding the reach of 5G beyond consumer-based services into the enterprise footprint. By investing in private LTE infrastructure using CBRS, businesses can position themselves for easy upgrades to 5G when the technology becomes more prevalent. CBRS will likely continue to be utilized in future technology standards, giving early adopters an advantage.

How does CBRS work?

CBRS works through a series of standards, including security measures, licensing details, and protocols for communication with devices. It utilizes a Spectrum Access System (SAS) that coordinates access between different user tiers and communicates with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) databases.

Is CBRS exclusively available in the United States?

CBRS is primarily based in the United States, but other countries such as Germany, Brazil, Japan, and the UK are expected to develop their own divisions and auctions of the C-band for similar privatization of radio services.

What are some benefits to using CBRS?

CBRS access points deliver up to 10x wider coverage, indoors or outdoors. CBRS is more secure. It uses SIM authentication and relies on centralized encryption, by default. Mobile devices can switch between access points at an unnoticeable speed.

What are some use cases for CBRS?

Some use cases for CBRS include college campuses, hospitals, mines, industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in manufacturing, warehouses, skyscrapers, sport stadiums, event venues, hotels, airports, and public transportation.

What does CBRS stand for?

CBRS stands for Citizens Broadband Radio Service.

What is the frequency range of CBRS?

CBRS operates in the frequency range of 3.5 GHz to 3.7 GHz.

Why should CBRS matter to organizations?

CBRS enables organizations to build their own private LTE or 5G networks, offering wider coverage, interference-free spectrum, and guaranteed service level agreements. It provides a foundation for powerful technologies and new use cases, particularly for industries currently underserved by traditional enterprise wireless.