5g frequency and bandwidth
5G, or fifth-generation wireless technology, operates on a variety of frequency bands, and the available bandwidth depends on the specific frequency range used. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has defined three main frequency bands for 5G:
- Low-Band Spectrum (Sub-1GHz):
- Frequency Range: Below 1 GHz
- Bandwidth: Typically larger than 20 MHz
- Characteristics: Good coverage and penetration through obstacles, but lower data rates compared to higher frequency bands.
- Mid-Band Spectrum (1GHz - 6GHz):
- Frequency Range: 1 GHz to 6 GHz
- Bandwidth: Ranges from 20 MHz to several hundred megahertz
- Characteristics: Balances coverage and capacity, providing higher data rates than low-band spectrum while still offering reasonable coverage and penetration.
- High-Band Spectrum (Above 24GHz, mmWave):
- Frequency Range: Above 24 GHz (commonly referred to as millimeter-wave or mmWave)
- Bandwidth: Several hundred megahertz to a few gigahertz
- Characteristics: Offers extremely high data rates but has limited coverage and poor penetration through obstacles. It is well-suited for dense urban environments and specific use cases like fixed wireless access.
The use of these different frequency bands allows 5G to provide a combination of wide coverage, high data rates, and low latency, making it suitable for diverse applications, including enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications.