5g what frequency
5G, or the fifth generation of mobile networks, operates across a wide range of frequency bands. These frequency bands can be broadly categorized into three main types: low-band (sub-1 GHz), mid-band (1-6 GHz), and high-band (above 24 GHz), also known as millimeter wave (mmWave). Each frequency band has its own characteristics and trade-offs.
- Low-Band (Sub-1 GHz):
- Frequency Range: Below 1 GHz.
- Characteristics: Low-band frequencies provide good coverage and penetration through obstacles like buildings. However, they have limited capacity for data transmission compared to higher frequencies.
- Mid-Band (1-6 GHz):
- Frequency Range: 1-6 GHz.
- Characteristics: Mid-band frequencies strike a balance between coverage and capacity. They offer better data rates than low-band frequencies and have reasonable coverage. These frequencies are often used in the sub-6 GHz range.
- High-Band / Millimeter Wave (mmWave):
- Frequency Range: Above 24 GHz.
- Characteristics: Millimeter wave frequencies offer extremely high data rates and low latency. However, they have a limited range and are easily attenuated by obstacles like buildings and foliage. To mitigate these limitations, beamforming and advanced antenna technologies are employed.
The use of different frequency bands allows 5G to provide a variety of services with varying trade-offs between coverage and capacity. Low-band frequencies are suitable for wide-area coverage, mid-band frequencies balance coverage and capacity, and high-band frequencies enable ultra-fast data rates but with limited coverage.
Multiple bands are often used together in what is called "frequency spectrum aggregation" to achieve better performance. This involves a device connecting to multiple frequency bands simultaneously, allowing for improved data rates and network efficiency.