Definition: 5G frequency bands

Within North America, 5G cellular service is able to operate in several frequency bands. The higher the frequency, the faster the speed; however, the signals are less capable of penetrating buildings, and the cell footprints are much smaller. More cell towers are required when transmitting in the high-band.

As of 2020, service is available in selected cities from each carrier. Verizon offers in-home service in the millimeter wave 28 and 39 GHz bands, and AT&T uses low-band and high-band frequencies. T-Mobile touts its low-band 5G as the first nationwide coverage. See 5G, 5G radiation and millimeter wave.


 Frequency                   Wavelength
 Band             Country   (approx. mm)

 Frequency Range 1

 Low-band
 600 MHz          US, Canada   500mm
 700 MHz          Mexico       428mm

 Mid-band (Sub-6)
 2.5 GHz          US           120mm
 3.55-4.2 GHz     US         84-71mm
 5.9-7.1 GHZ      US         51-42mm

 Frequency Range 2

 High-band (Millimeter waves)
 24.25-24.45 GHz  US           12mm
 24.75-25.25 GHz  US           12mm
 26.5-27.5 GHz    Mexico       11mm
 27.5-28.35 GHz   US, Canada   11mm
 37-40 GHz        US, Canada   8-7mm
 47.2-48.2 GHz    US           6mm
 64-71 GHz        US, Canada   5-4mm


 BANDS EMPLOYED BY U.S. CARRIERS

 Sub-6Ghz Frequencies
 Band  Frequency  Carrier
 n2     1900 MHz  AT&T, Verizon
 n5      850 MHz  AT&T, Verizon
 n66    1700 MHz
        2100 MHz  Verizon
 n71     600 MHz  T-Mobile
 n41    2500 MHz  T-mobile
 n77    3700 MHZ  AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile

 Millimeter Wave Frequencies
 Band  Frequency  Carrier
 n260   39 GHz   AT&T, T-mobile
 n261   28 GHz   T-Mobile, Verizon

5G on the Phone

When the 5G symbol appears on a phone as in this example, it refers to the Sub-6 Mid-band. Otherwise, 5G UW or 5G+ symbols would indicate higher frequency bands. See 5G UWB.

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Definition: 5G frequency bands