What frequency bands are commonly used for 4G communication?
4G communication primarily operates using various frequency bands, which vary across regions and countries due to regulatory differences and spectrum availability. Some of the commonly used frequency bands for 4G communication include:
- 700 MHz band: This lower frequency band offers better coverage and penetration through buildings and obstacles. It's often used in rural areas and for expanding coverage in suburban or urban regions. In some regions, this band is also known as the 698–806 MHz band.
- 800 MHz band: Similar to the 700 MHz band, this lower frequency range provides good coverage and is commonly utilized for 4G networks, especially in rural areas. It's also known as the 791–821 MHz and 832–862 MHz bands.
- 900 MHz band: This band is used for 4G services, particularly in regions where the 800 MHz band is unavailable. It offers decent coverage and is suitable for both urban and rural areas. The specific frequency ranges might vary slightly in different countries.
- 1800 MHz band: Also known as the 1710–1785 MHz and 1805–1880 MHz bands, this mid-range frequency is widely used for 4G networks in urban areas due to its ability to support higher data transfer rates and capacity.
- 2100 MHz band: Commonly referred to as the 1920–1980 MHz and 2110–2170 MHz bands, this higher frequency range is utilized in urban and suburban regions to enhance network capacity and data speeds.
- 2600 MHz band: This higher frequency band, often known as the 2500–2570 MHz and 2620–2690 MHz bands, is utilized in densely populated urban areas or areas with high data demand, as it offers high data transfer rates but has limited coverage compared to lower frequency bands.
- Other bands: There are also other less commonly used bands like the 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz bands that are deployed in some regions to enhance capacity and data speeds, especially in urban environments.
Different smartphones and devices are designed to support multiple frequency bands to ensure compatibility with various 4G networks worldwide. Carriers and network operators might utilize different bands based on their available spectrum licenses and network requirements to provide adequate coverage and capacity for their users.