Spectrum for 5G NR

Last updated on Apr 9, 2023

The deployment of 5G NR (New Radio) technology is expected to deliver faster data rates, lower latency, higher reliability, and increased capacity compared to the previous generations of mobile networks. However, these benefits can only be realized if there is sufficient spectrum available for 5G NR deployment.

Spectrum refers to the range of electromagnetic frequencies that can be used to transmit information wirelessly. In the context of mobile networks, the available spectrum is divided into frequency bands that are allocated to mobile network operators for their use. Each frequency band has different characteristics and properties that can affect the performance and capabilities of the mobile network.

5G NR Spectrum Bands:

The 5G NR standard defines several frequency bands that can be used for 5G NR deployment. These frequency bands are categorized into three main types: low-band, mid-band, and high-band.

Low-Band Spectrum:

Low-band spectrum refers to the frequency bands below 1 GHz. These bands are suitable for providing wide-area coverage and good indoor penetration. The low-band spectrum is suitable for providing coverage in rural and suburban areas where the population density is low. The low-band spectrum is also suitable for providing coverage in indoor environments such as office buildings, shopping malls, and airports. The low-band spectrum is also suitable for supporting IoT (Internet of Things) devices that require low data rates and long battery life.

The 5G NR standard defines two low-band spectrum bands: the 600 MHz band and the 700 MHz band. These bands are already used for mobile networks in some countries, and mobile network operators can deploy 5G NR technology in these bands to provide wider coverage and better indoor penetration.

Mid-Band Spectrum:

Mid-band spectrum refers to the frequency bands between 1 GHz and 6 GHz. These bands are suitable for providing a balance between coverage and capacity. The mid-band spectrum is suitable for providing coverage in urban areas where the population density is high. The mid-band spectrum is also suitable for providing coverage in suburban areas where the population density is moderate.

The 5G NR standard defines several mid-band spectrum bands that can be used for 5G NR deployment. These bands include the 2.5 GHz band, the 3.5 GHz band, and the 4.9 GHz band. The 2.5 GHz band is already used for mobile networks in some countries, and mobile network operators can deploy 5G NR technology in this band to increase the capacity of their networks. The 3.5 GHz band is widely used for 5G NR deployment in many countries, and it is considered as a key frequency band for 5G NR deployment. The 4.9 GHz band is primarily used for public safety and emergency services.

High-Band Spectrum:

High-band spectrum refers to the frequency bands above 24 GHz. These bands are also known as mmWave (millimeter wave) bands. The high-band spectrum is suitable for providing very high data rates and low latency. The high-band spectrum is suitable for providing coverage in dense urban areas where the population density is very high.

The 5G NR standard defines several high-band spectrum bands that can be used for 5G NR deployment. These bands include the 26 GHz band, the 28 GHz band, and the 39 GHz band. The high-band spectrum is not yet widely used for mobile networks, but it is expected to be deployed in the future to support the increasing demand for high data rates and low latency.

The availability of spectrum for 5G NR deployment is limited, and there is a need to maximize the use of the available spectrum. Spectrum sharing is a technique that allows multiple users to share the same frequency band without interfering with each other. Spectrum sharing can increase the efficiency of spectrum utilization and reduce the cost of deploying new spectrum.

The 5G NR standard defines several spectrum sharing techniques that can be used for 5G NR deployment. These techniques include dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS), licensed-assisted access (LAA), and CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service).

Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) is a technique that allows mobile network operators to share the same frequency band between 4G LTE and 5G NR devices. DSS enables mobile network operators to deploy 5G NR technology in the existing 4G LTE frequency bands, which can reduce the cost of deploying new spectrum for 5G NR. DSS allows mobile network operators to allocate the available spectrum dynamically between 4G LTE and 5G NR devices based on the traffic demand and network conditions.

Licensed-Assisted Access:

Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA) is a technique that allows mobile network operators to use unlicensed spectrum to increase the capacity of their networks. LAA enables mobile network operators to use the unlicensed spectrum bands, such as the 5 GHz band, to complement their licensed spectrum bands. LAA allows mobile network operators to aggregate the available spectrum from both licensed and unlicensed bands to increase the capacity of their networks.

CBRS:

Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) is a spectrum sharing framework that allows different users to share the same frequency band in a controlled manner. CBRS allows mobile network operators to share the same frequency band with other users, such as enterprises, public safety agencies, and private network operators. CBRS enables mobile network operators to deploy 5G NR technology in the shared frequency bands, which can reduce the cost of deploying new spectrum for 5G NR.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the availability of spectrum is critical for the deployment of 5G NR technology. The 5G NR standard defines several frequency bands that can be used for 5G NR deployment, including low-band, mid-band, and high-band spectrum. The low-band spectrum is suitable for providing wide-area coverage and good indoor penetration, while the mid-band spectrum is suitable for providing a balance between coverage and capacity. The high-band spectrum is suitable for providing very high data rates and low latency. Spectrum sharing is a technique that allows multiple users to share the same frequency band without interfering with each other. Spectrum sharing can increase the efficiency of spectrum utilization and reduce the cost of deploying new spectrum for 5G NR. Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA), and CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) are the spectrum sharing techniques defined by the 5G NR standard. These techniques enable mobile network operators to share the same frequency band with other users and allocate the available spectrum dynamically between 4G LTE and 5G NR devices based on the traffic demand and network conditions.