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Access to mobile networks is provided by mobile devices via cellular frequencies. We are able to make calls, send text messages, watch videos, and browse the internet thanks to these frequencies.
You can find the best cellular provider and device by understanding cellular frequencies.
The number of sound waves that occur every second is called a frequency, and it is measured in Hertz (Hz). Waves move faster at high frequencies, and vice versa. The sound waves that cellular devices use to keep you connected are known as cellular frequencies. The human ear cannot pick them up.
The radio frequency (RF) spectrum encompasses all cellular frequencies and spans 300 GHz. The allocation of radio frequency (RF) spectrum is the responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the United States. They divide it into bands, which are multiple frequency ranges.
The cellular bands fall roughly between 600 MHz and 39 GHz in the RF spectrum. Instead of a single cellular frequency, cellular frequency bands represent a range of frequencies. The 700 MHz frequency band, for instance, spans 699 MHz to 798 MHz
Multiple government-owned frequencies are purchased by cellular operators. After that, cellular devices communicate with carrier cell towers by employing those particular frequencies.
The FCC issues license to cellular carriers in order to use particular cellular bands. A single license typically grants carriers rights to a small portion of a large band. This is known as a block or channel. Numerous carriers use bands that are similar, as you will see later. However, in order to avoid interfering with one another, they operate on distinct blocks. On the other hand, smaller bands typically only use one carrier and are not composed of multiple blocks.
The blocks that carriers purchase are located in various RF spectrum regions. They can be made up of low or high frequencies. Lower frequencies are able to travel quite a distance and easily penetrate obstacles. Because of this, they are ideal for remote and rural areas. Higher frequencies, on the other hand, are unable to travel as far or penetrate obstacles as well. However, they are able to send more data at a faster rate. As a result, they are ideal for urban and metropolitan areas.
Carriers purchase multiple FCC licenses across the RF spectrum to provide the most reliable network.
In order to reach a wide range of people and locations, each carrier owns numerous frequencies. A cellular device must be compatible with those particular frequencies for it to function. Since most phones today are designed to work with a wide range of frequencies, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Your phone will connect to your carrier’s 4G, LTE, and 5G frequencies when it is activated.
Whether the bands use FDD or TDD techniques will affect how the signal is transmitted:
Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) bands consist of two frequencies separated by a guard band. They can’t interfere with each other because of this. Information is transmitted to a cell tower via one band (uplink). The other is used to get information from a cell tower (a process called a “downlink”). Data can be sent and received simultaneously using this method. Gadgets associated with FDD groups will generally encounter quick voice and information transmissions.
Time Division Duplex (TDD) bands use time slots to send and receive data simultaneously. Each band has a single frequency. Even though this may appear inefficient, the procedure moves fairly quickly. The majority of users do not notice any latency. The likelihood of interference presents the primary obstacle. Therefore, a precise timing and synchronization system is required for TDD bands. Because many 5G frequencies will use TDD, this method is very important for the technology.
The first generation of cellular technology was Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS). At the time, devices transmitted voice over 800 MHz Band 5. The band became insufficient as cell phone use increased. The FCC opened the 1900 MHz Band 2 and called it the Personal Communications Service (PCS) to meet the new demand. AMPS and PCS were the primary cellular frequency bands utilized for a time. The same part of the spectrum was used for both 2G and 3G. More frequencies became available as 3G developed.
The game was changed by smartphones. More bands were created as phones were no longer just used for texting and calling. The 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 1700/2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2500 MHz bands are examples of 4G frequencies. Carriers were able to send 4G/LTE signals to rural and remote areas thanks to the lower frequencies.
Data traffic and the number of connected devices have both significantly increased since then and will continue to do so. However, the network is now accessible to more than just phones. The Internet of Things (IoT) is also part of it. drones, machines, smart sensors, security systems, cars, and more. This brings us to 5G and its expansion to new frequencies.
In order to accommodate a wide range of applications, 5G frequencies are distributed across the radio spectrum. Mid-band 5G covers 1 to 6 GHz, high-band 5G or mmWave covers 29 to 39 GHz, and low band 5G covers 600 MHz to 1 GHz. The C-Band, or mid-band frequencies between 3.7 and 3.98 GHz, is particularly significant.5G provides an experience that is noticeably superior to 4G in this area.
The mobile telecommunications system known as 4G—abbreviated as 4G—changed the way we consume content.4G devices can handle fast internet with a lot of data and texting. YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, and other mobile apps were made possible by it.
WiMAX: WiMAX (Overall Interoperability for Microwave Access) was perhaps the earliest 4G norm. However, LTE gained popularity. Prior to switching to LTE, Clear, which is owned by Sprint Nextel, supported WiMAX up until the end of 2015.
The most recent network standard is 5G, which stands for fifth-generation. intended to offer blazing-fast speeds, extremely low latency, a huge capacity, and increased dependability. A minimum download speed of 1 Gbps and a latency of one millisecond are required for true 5G. Much more quickly than 4G, but not all 5G is created equal. There are three sorts of 5G – low-band 5G, mid-band 5G, and high-band 5G.
Low-Band 5G: Low-band 5G, which is located below 1 GHz and provides coverage that is comparable to that of 4G, is frequently referred to as the blanket layer for nationwide coverage. Mid-Band 5G: Speed is not much faster than 4G. Mid-band 5G, which operates at frequencies between 1-6 GHz, provides greater coverage and faster speeds than high-band. It is thought to have the best combination of speed, range, penetration, and power. The majority of its use will occur in densely populated areas with high connectivity demands.
C-Band: Recently utilized by satellite television administrators, C-Band is the most famous 5G band on the planet. It is perfectly situated between the 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands to provide adequate coverage at speeds that are noticeably faster than 4G. High Band 5G or mmWave:5G mmWave frequencies range from 24-39 GHz. These frequencies, which are at the top of the RF spectrum, are able to carry a lot of data at very high speeds with little latency. However, they are unable to penetrate buildings or travel as far. As a result, coverage is only available in areas with a high density of people and infrastructure.
LTE: True 4G networks are referred to as 4G LTE-A (Verizon), 5Ge (AT&T), or 4G LTE+ (AT&T). LTE or 4G LTE is a “Long Term Evolution” standard. Click here to learn more about the differences between 4G and LTE.
You can benefit from knowing which frequency bands devices and carriers support:
Buy an unlocked device that will work with your provider to switch carriers without having to buy a new phone. Your device must be compatible with the bands and networks of your current or desired carrier. If not, it won’t work. There may be connectivity issues if it works even though it is not 100% compatible.
In addition, if you decide to buy a signal booster, knowing which bands your phone and carrier use will assist you in selecting the best one.
To work with another carrier using 3G, phones had to support the same frequencies and utilize the same cellular technologies (CDMA or GSM). This will not be the case because CDMA and GSM will cease operations by the end of 2022.
It should work as long as your 4G/5G device supports the frequencies of the other carrier. However, be cautious. Antennas for some 5G-capable devices may only be compatible with one carrier’s 5G network. As a result, reviewing the device’s specifications is crucial. The better your experience, the more bands your device shares with the other carrier.
It can be difficult to determine which bands your mobile device supports. Neither the settings nor the majority of device packaging contain the information.
Comparing your carrier’s bands to those of other carriers is the simplest method for determining which bands your device supports. You can get assistance with that from the chart above, or you can talk to your cellular provider. The two networks ought to have as much overlap as possible.
Additionally, you can go to wirelessadvisor.com. It will display the frequencies that your local cellular provider uses. Simply press search after entering your zip code. A list of mobile phone service providers with information about supported technologies and frequencies will appear.
The approaches described above only provide a partial picture. The majority of devices can operate in more bands than a cellular carrier can. Go to the website of the vendor from which the device was purchased to locate all of the bands. Look for the device you need. There is a section titled “Wireless Technology,” “Frequency,” or “Network” under the specs. You will see all of the bands and technologies that your device supports in this section. Unfortunately, this information is not available on every website.
If you’re having trouble, go to the page for the carrier you want. You can determine whether your unlocked phone is compatible with their service by using the free online tools provided by most carriers. However, these tools will not display the frequencies of your device.
Bftsync’s signal boosters are 5G-ready signal boosters that work with all carriers and devices on all major 4G/LTE frequency bands. However, cross-referencing the bands between the booster, carrier, and device is always recommended.
Wilson Amplifiers is here to help if you have any additional inquiries about frequency bands or need assistance selecting the appropriate booster. We are the best supplier of signal boosters for cars, businesses, and homes. Send us an email at sales@bftsync.com or give us a call at 1-281-616-5786. We’d love to help!
The most well-known manufacturer of cellular signal boosters is Bftsync. For home, office, or vehicle use, cell phone boosters can amplify 5G, 4G, LTE, and other networks for any phone with any carrier. They work best with an antenna pointed toward the nearest cell tower.
We truly detest dropped calls and poor coverage, so one satisfied customer at a time, we want to rid the world of spotty signals:
If you have any questions, we are happy to assist.