A new benchmark: 3.3 – 4.2 GHz

The C-Band (3.3 – 4.2 GHz) is almost universally acknowledged as the major mid-band 5G frequency.

But despite this agreement, there are infinite shades of difference regarding how, and how much of the spectrum is made available. Some countries award the spectrum to mobile operators on a nationwide basis, but others make it available on a regional basis. Some countries assign enough spectrum for each operator to have more than 100 MHz of spectrum, while others opt to award less spectrum. Mobile operators have to participate in auctions sometimes, but other times have to apply for the spectrum in other ways.

Because each country makes unique choices, the overall situation is confusing.

To address this issue, we have set up new 3.3 – 4.2 GHz benchmarking tools to help spectrum managers easily access relevant information. The data is summarised in an interactive map illustrated below.

And the benchmarking study also includes the following tables:

• Planned assignments
• Bands assigned by country
• Assignment mechanisms used
• A simple comparison of national and regional licensing
• Full details of local and national licenses

We have also published three Research Notes comparing the different approaches:

• 3.3 – 4.2 GHz benchmarking: a global overview of recent awards
• 3.3 – 4.2 GHz: forthcoming assignments – a regional perspective
• 3.3 – 4.2 GHz benchmarking: wide variance in national assignments

The 3.3 – 4.2 GHz benchmark is available to Spectrum Research Service subscribers.