Spectrum - 5G Spectrum Snapshot October 2020

5G Spectrum Snapshot October 2020

229 operators hold licences issued for 5G bands worldwide

Between them they hold more than 374 licences to use 5G spectrum bands- Excluding spectrum awarded historically on a technology neutral basis and currently used for 2G, 3G or 4G networks, and excluding CBRS

PAL licences where not known to be used for 5G

As of October 2020 GSA’s NTS database showed:

C-band spectrum has been a key early focus of investment by operators. 188 operators were investing in C-band spectrum at 3300- 4200 MHz, with 90 of those known to be actively deploying networks using Band n77 or Band n78.

C-band spectrum was already well supported in devices at that point. By August GSA had catalogued 235 announced 5G devices positioned as supporting Band n78 or Band n77. The majority (146) of those were phones, followed by modules at 31 devices, with non-industrial CPE making up the next largest category at 28 devices.

The mmWave spectrum bands n257, n258, n261 have also been a focus of investment with 130 operators identified as investing in 5G using spectrum between 24250 MHz and 29500 MHz.

By October 2020 GSA had identified 37 devices (commercial and pre-commercial) with announced support for Band 257, n258 or n261. 19 of those were phones, and eight were CPE devices.

More detail can be found in the GSA GAMBoD database available for Members and Associates.

About GAMBoD:

GAMBoD, the GSA Analyser for Mobile Broadband Data, is a unique search and analysis tool we developed to support our Members and Associates with the most up to date information on 4G & 5G devices networks, technologies and spectrum. Search results are presented as a list, or as a spreadsheet, or in charts that may be inserted into documents or presentations, subject to accreditation of GSA as the source.

5G Spectrum Snapshot October 2020

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©GSA 2020