Sub 1 GHz Spectrum-December 2020
INTRODUCTION
This report provides a snapshot of the global status of national usage of spectrum below 1 GHz for LTE and 5G services. It is part of a series of reports which separately also cover spectrum from 1 to 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz.
Sub-1 GHz spectrum bands are very important for expanding network coverage in all urban/suburban/rural deployment scenarios, ensuring service continuity across different geographies, enhancing service quality in indoor environments and helping to close the digital divide. Mobile operators are demanding spectrum below 1 GHz, and these spectrum bands will also play an important role in industry for the creation of private networks. For these reasons, GSA foresees an increase in the number of auctions of sub-1 GHz spectrum in the coming years, as well as 5G NR deployments using already assigned spectrum licences.
This report reflects a market that is in constant evolution and feedback is greatly appreciated to keep it current. Please send comments and information to research@gsacom.com.
Key statistics:
507 operators in 169 countries/territories hold licences enabling launch of LTE or 5G using spectrum below 1 GHz
392 operators in 156 countries/territories are known to have launched LTE or 5G networks using spectrum below 1 GHz
14,513 LTE devices support one or more bands below 1 GHz (out of 18,386 LTE devices in GSA’s GAMBoD database); in addition GSA has identified 183 announced 5G devices that support sub-1 GHz spectrum bands for NR, 137 of which are already commercially available.
39 countries/territories have announced formal (date-specified) plans for allocating 5G-suitable frequencies below 1 GHz between now and 2022 (including technology-neutral licences or licences for mobile broadband services).
34 of those are planning to auction/allocate spectrum at 700 MHz.
Several key spectrum bands below 1 GHz are used for LTE and 5G. Many of the same bands are also used for networks based on 2G or 3G technologies (but those are not analysed in this report).
Deployment details for the various bands are:
450 MHz (Band 31): GSA has identified 14 operators as investing in LTE at 450 MHz. At least ten of them have launched LTE in this band.
600 MHz (Band 71): 37 operators are identified as investing in spectrum at 600 MHz, at least three of which have launched both LTE and 5G services in the range and another two have launched 5G.
700 MHz: 200 operators investing in LTE across the key 700 MHz bands:
132 operators have been identified as investing in APT 700 MHz spectrum (Band 28 and Band n28: 703–748/758–803 FDD), including 127 with licences, of which 63 have launched commercial LTE or 5G services in the band. Two operators have launched both, 55 have launched LTE and six have launched 5G.
GSA has also identified 99 operators investing in LTE in one of the American 700 MHz bands (Bands 12, 13 ,14 or 17, between them covering 75 MHz within 699 MHz and 798 MHz). Of those, 81 have used one of the bands to launch their LTE network. GSA has not identified any 5G launches in Bands n12, n13, n14, or n17.
Band 20: (832–862 MHz/791–821 MHz) is the most used individual band, with 224 operators investing in LTE using this frequency range, including 198 that are understood to have launched networks, 24 other licensed operators and two more planning networks. No operators have been recorded with 5G networks using Band n20, although two have been engaged in 5G trials in that band.
Sub 1 GHz Spectrum-December 2020
©GSA 2020
