5G has been heralded as the next big thing in wireless technology, and for good reason. It promises fast speeds and more reliable connections than ever before. But what are the different bands that make up 5G? Keep reading for a breakdown and what each band has to offer. 

Types of 5G Bands

The bands are categorized as a low band, mid-band, and high band. Each band has unique properties, ideal for specific situations.

Low Band

Low-band 5G is similar to 4G, in the sense that it provides coverage over a broad area. It penetrates obstructions, but also, like 4G, it’s not particularly good at carrying large amounts of data. 

Low-band 5G is expected to have speeds around 1 Gbps, perfect for smartphones and usage where mobility isn’t an issue. The low band is excellent for broad coverage and redundancy of service. It has the potential to bring 5G speeds of 1 Gbps to rural areas, where it might otherwise take years before carriers could upgrade their infrastructure enough to handle rates of that magnitude.

Mid Band

Mid-band 5G is expected to have speeds around 10 Gbps and carries a lot more data than low-band. This makes it ideal for usage where data demands are high, and mobility isn’t required like self-driving cars and remote robotics.

Mid-band 5G is faster than low-band due to its higher frequency, but it doesn’t have the same range as low-band; it’s faster than the low-band but has a shorter range because of higher frequency. 

It means it won’t be as good for coverage or redundancy, which may make carriers reluctant to adopt mid-band 5G unless they already have extensive low-band networks in place.

High Band

The high band is somewhere between low and mid-band for speed, but it can carry more data than both low and mid bands.

Also, unlike standard 5G, which is projected to have around 1 Gbps, the high band has been said to offer speeds up to 10 Gbps or more with additional spectrum.

The high band is the carrier of choice when usage requires speed and high data volumes. Since it can carry so much data, carriers may opt for high-band 5G as a way to compete with those who have low or mid-band 5G service. 

However, its incredible speeds also come at a cost: it’ll be the most expensive band for carriers to implement since it requires significant infrastructure changes.

Why Should You Care about 5G Bands?

As you can see, different 5G bands are meant for specific applications. If 5G is expected to take over the world, your investments in both technology and infrastructure must be made with care. 

To ensure you have an optimal 5G experience, consider the following things when upgrading or building out:

Data Demand: If you need high-speed connections for smartphones, 4G networks are more than capable of meeting your needs. We recommend Cox internet plans.  

However, if you’re launching new products that require the power of 5G to perform optimally, consider investing in mid or high-band 5G to ensure that your data demands are fulfilled.

Mobility: If you need a connection that’ll move with you, choose low band 5G. Mid and high bands are stationary and better suited for use cases where devices remain in one place, like self-driving cars or a vending machine at a baseball stadium.

Key Takeaway

There’s no standard 5G band. Despite what some people might say, there are various ways of implementing the technology that’ll suit different needs.

The skepticism about trying out a 5G band is reasonable, but you can break down the stigma by doing adequate research. Many of us already have a hard time understanding the existing realm of the internet. Ease yourself in the process and be patient with your pace. 

5G Is The Next Big Thing

At this point, it can’t be said for sure if 5G will live up to all the hype, but what is certain is that it offers blazing fast speeds and low latency. 

The rollout is happening now, so it’s only a matter of time before 5G is available across the globe. Keep in mind these different bands when upgrading or building out your infrastructure so you can take advantage of the highest speeds when they’re available.

Quick Recap

5G is not one standard; it’s a spectrum defined by different bandwidth levels. Each band has rule-specific applications and limitations corresponding to the application. Low band 5G for large areas with little data demand, mid-band 5G where speed rather than coverage is essential, high band 5G for momentum demanding places like self-driving cars and stadiums.