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What is the 5G Spectrum?

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The 5G spectrum is a range of radio frequencies in the sub-6 GHz range and the millimeter-wave frequency range that is 24.25 GHz and above. The 5G spectrum refers to the radio frequencies that carry data from user equipment (UE) to cellular base stations to the data's endpoint. LTE networks use frequencies in the sub-6 GHz range and will be sharing the space with 5G traffic. The lower frequency bands will be used for less-densely populated areas because data can travel further, though slower, on them.

1. LTE vs 5G Spectrums

According to the standards body, 3GPP, the radio frequency spectrum used by LTE networks ranges from 700 MHz to 2.7GHz. In theory, LTE peak data rates are 75 Mb/s for the uplink and 300 Mb/s for the downlink when using a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system, also referred to as spatial multiplexing.

The frequency bands for 5G networks come in two sets. Frequency range 1 (FR1) is from 450 MHz to 6 GHz, which includes the LTE frequency range. Frequency range 2 (FR2) is from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. The sub-6 GHz range is the name for FR1 and the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum is the name for FR2. In theory, the peak data rates for a fully mature 5G network are 20 Gb/s downlink and a 10 Gb/s uplink, as standardized by the International Telecommunications Union.

2. Spectrum Sharing

5G and LTE networks share LTE's frequencies because 5G is not wholly and immediately replacing LTE. A network operator can use frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) technologies to share spectrum. FDD is where different bands of frequency are used by users; one for uplink and the other for downlink. TDD is where one frequency band will be used for uplink and downlink, switching between the two from moment to moment. According to an approved United States patent assigned to AT&T, bands can be dynamically allocated between LTE and 5G in tens of milliseconds.

By the way, you can check the price of 5G Devices.