What is mmWaves?

For wide service, 5G networks operate on up to three frequency bands – low, medium, and high . 5G can be implemented in low-band, mid-band or high-band millimeter-wave 24 GHz up to 54 GHz.

Low-band spectrum is any spectrum that is lower than 1 GHz on the spectrum chart . Early wireless networks, often referred to as analog cellular, were deployed in low-band 800 MHz spectrum. At the time operators often referred to low-band spectrum as “beachfront property” because it was so desirable.29 Tem 2020

Millimeter waves — often referred to as mmWaves or high-band 5G — are frequencies starting at 24 GHz and beyond . As radio waves increase in frequency, each wave narrows in length. Because of its high frequencies, mmWave has a limited range of only 300 to 500 feet and struggles to penetrate buildings.

Spectrum determines 5G speed and coverage High-band spectrum may give you blazing fast speeds and lots of capacity —but only if you are close to the cell site. Low-band may provide excellent coverage but the network performance may only be a small step up from 4G.