Sign in Subscribe

lte nr bands

Last updated on 

LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and NR (New Radio) are wireless communication standards developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). These standards define various frequency bands to accommodate different deployment scenarios, network capacities, and user requirements.

Let's delve into the technical details of LTE and NR bands.

LTE Bands:

LTE operates in a range of frequency bands categorized by their frequency range and geographic region. Some of the widely used LTE bands include:

  1. FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing) Bands: These bands use different frequencies for uplink and downlink transmissions.
    • Band 1 (2100 MHz)
    • Band 3 (1800 MHz)
    • Band 5 (850 MHz)
    • Band 7 (2600 MHz)
    • Band 8 (900 MHz)
    • Band 20 (800 MHz)
  2. TDD (Time Division Duplexing) Bands: These bands use the same frequency for both uplink and downlink but separated by time.
    • Band 38 (2600 MHz)
    • Band 40 (2300 MHz)
    • Band 41 (2500/2600 MHz)

NR Bands:

NR is designed to operate in a wider range of frequencies compared to LTE to support various use cases, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC).

  1. FR1 (Frequency Range 1): This is the standard frequency range that encompasses the sub-6 GHz spectrum. NR bands within FR1 include:
    • Band n1 (2100 MHz)
    • Band n3 (1800 MHz)
    • Band n5 (850 MHz)
    • Band n7 (2600 MHz)
    • Band n8 (900 MHz)
    • Band n20 (800 MHz)
  2. FR2 (Frequency Range 2): This is the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum range, which offers significantly higher data rates but has limited coverage due to higher propagation losses. NR bands within FR2 include:
    • Band n257 (28 GHz)
    • Band n258 (26 GHz)
    • Band n260 (39 GHz)

Technical Considerations:

  • Bandwidth: Different bands offer varying bandwidths, which directly influence the data rates and capacity of the network. For example, mmWave bands in FR2 offer wider bandwidths suitable for high-speed applications.
  • Coverage vs. Capacity: Lower-frequency bands like 700 MHz (LTE Band 28) provide better coverage due to their ability to propagate over longer distances and penetrate buildings, whereas higher-frequency bands offer higher capacity but limited coverage.
  • Interference and Congestion: The selection of bands also depends on the interference level and network congestion. Operators often utilize multiple bands to balance the load and ensure seamless connectivity.