New benchmark explains 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands

Although the current 5G focus is firmly on mid-bands such as 3.3 – 3.8 GHz, high-bands such as the 26 GHz and 28 GHz will surely play an important role in bringing 5G’s true potential to fruition.

Indeed, billions of dollars and thousands of billable hours have been spent on securing high-band spectrum access for 5G. The fastest moving countries made the 28 GHz band available, but other countries, especially those more mindful of Ka-band satellite uplinks and the normative value of the ITU-RThe International Telecommunication U..., have chosen the 26 GHz band.

Although considered two distinct bands, the two ranges actually overlap to a significant degree, as shown in an excerpt in the illustration below.

To add to the confusion, some countries are opting to make different parts of the spectrum available under different conditions or for different licence areas.

To shed light on this confusing area of spectrum policy, we have now made available a new benchmark. This includes searchable datasets providing information from 46 countries, and three Research Notes providing narrative explanations.

The benchmark is available to Spectrum Research Service subscribers here.