MID-BAND SPECTRUM

SUMMARY REPORT:
March 2021
Mid-band Spectrum for Terrestrial LTE and
5G Networks: Licensing Developments
Worldwide

Introduction
Many LTE networks have been launched using mid-band spectrum and operators and regulators have come to recognise the value of mid-
band spectrum for 5G networks, offering as it does a combination of coverage and capacity.

This report provides a snapshot of the global status of national usage of mid-band spectrum between 1 GHz and 6 GHz for LTE and 5G
services. It is part of a series of reports which separately also cover spectrum below 1 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz.

During 2020, a number of countries/territories allowed operators to make emergency use of spectrum resources to meet demand for
broadband services during COVID-19 lockdowns. This report does not track this short-term, emergency spectrum usage.

(Note: all references to countries/territories in this document can be read as also including territories, special administrative regions, disputed
territories and dependencies.)

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.

LTE and 5G in bands between
1 and 6 GHz
Several key spectrum ranges between 1
and 6 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).
• 3300–4200 MHz TDD (C-Band spectrum)
• 4400–5000 MHz (Band n79)
• 1700 MHz (Band 4 AWS)
Spectrum at 1700 MHz is widely used in the
Americas for LTE. In total 75 operators in 23
countries/territories have been identified as
holding licences to deploy networks at 1700
MHz, of which at least 54 have launched
or are deploying their networks in this
spectrum range.

The 1800 MHz band is most used, followed Figure 1: Countries/territories that have assigned AWS-4 licences for LTE or 5G
by C-Band spectrum and spectrum at 2.6
GHz. The key spectrum bands licensed/
deployed for LTE and 5G are:

• 1700 MHz (Band 4 AWS)

• 1800 MHz (Band 3 and Band n3)

• 1900 MHz FDD (Bands 2 and 25, n2 and

n25)

• 2100 MHz (Band 1 and Band n1)

• 2300 MHz TDD (Band 40 and Band n40)

• 2600 MHz FDD (Band 7 and Band n7)

• 2600 MHz TDD (Bands 38 and 41, n38 and

n41)

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1800 MHz (Band 3 and Band n3) Figure 2: Usage of spectrum at 1800 MHz for LTE or 5G, by country/territory

Spectrum at 1800 MHz is widely used

worldwide for LTE and more recently has
started to be used in a limited way for 5G. In
total, 421 operators have been investing in
LTE or 5G at 1800 MHz, of which 383 have
launched or are deploying their networks in
this spectrum range, 37 others hold licences
or are planning to deploy networks and
one more is known to have been engaging
in tests/trials. One hundred and fifty-nine
countries/territories have awarded spectrum
for LTE or 5G in Band 3 or Band n3 and
networks are being deployed or have been
launched in 156 of those so far. GSA has
catalogued 17 operators investing in 5G in
Band n3, including seven that are actively
deploying their 5G networks in Band n3.

Figure 3: Countries/territories with launched LTE networks at 1900 MHz

1900 MHz (Bands 2 and 25, n2
and n25)
Spectrum at 1900 MHz is used in some
regions for LTE, with 25 countries/territories
having assigned spectrum in Band 2 or Band
25. GSA has not identified any usage for 5G.
In total, 65 operators have been identified as
investing in LTE at 1900 MHz (all hold licences
enabling them to deploy their networks in
this spectrum range).

Figure 4: Usage of spectrum at 2100 MHz for LTE or 5G, by country/territory

2100 MHz (Band 1 and Band n1)

Although spectrum at 2100 MHz has been
widely used for 3G networks worldwide, it
has also been deployed in LTE and, more
recently, 5G networks. In total, 158 operators
have been investing in LTE or 5G at 2100
MHz, of which 98 have launched or are
deploying their networks in this spectrum
range, 53 others hold licences or are
planning to deploy networks and seven more
are known to have been engaging in tests/
trials.

Thirty-seven operators have been investing

in 5G at 2100 MHz and twenty of those are
known to have launched 5G in Band n1.

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2300 MHz TDD (Band 40 and Figure 5: Status of investments in 2300 MHz TDD for LTE or 5G, by country
Band n40)
TDD networks at 2300 MHz are reasonably
common. GSA has identified 60 operators
investing in 40 countries/territories
worldwide and of these, around 52 operators
are understood to have launched networks.

Limited investment is occurring in 5G

networks using Band n40. GSA has identified
four operators that have been investing in
this band. One has launched, one is licensed
and the other two have conducted tests/
trials.

2600 MHz (Bands 7, 38, 41, n7, Figure 6: Countries/territories that have awarded Band 7 licences for LTE
n38, n41)
Spectrum at 2600 MHz has been widely
deployed for LTE and is also increasingly
being used for 5G. The spectrum has
sometimes been licensed in paired ranges
for usage in FDD networks (Band 7 or Band
n7) and sometimes unpaired for use in TDD
networks (Band 38, Band 41, or Band n38
or Band n41). In some countries/territories
(such as the USA) usage is flexible.

In total, LTE or 5G-suitable spectrum

between 2500 MHz and 2690 MHz has been
assigned in at least 108 countries/territories
worldwide. The nature of those assignments
is complex, due to a mixture of awards for
paired FDD spectrum or unpaired TDD
spectrum or flexible spectrum assignments.

*Note FDD or TDD usage is to be confirmed for 19 operators

2600 MHz FDD (Band 7 and Band n7)
investing in 5G at 2600 MHz (two of them holding licences and five
In total, 240 operators in 94 countries/ deploying/launched).
territories have been investing in LTE at 2600
MHz using FDD paired spectrum, of which 237
hold licences, have deployed, or are planning
to deploy networks and two more are known
to have been engaging in tests/trials.

One of those is also understood to have

launched 5G at 2600 MHz using FDD
spectrum*.

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2600 MHz TDD (Bands 38, 41, n38 Figure 7: Countries/territories that have awarded licences to deploy LTE or 5G in
and n41) C-Band spectrum

One hundred and eight operators have

been investing in LTE at 2600 MHz using
TDD technologies, of which 81 have been
investing in Band 38 (76 of them licensed
and deploying or planning to deploy, the rest
evaluating/testing). Meanwhile, 20 operators
are deploying or have deployed LTE in band
41. (There are three possible additional users
of Band 41, subject to confirmation.)

Seventeen operators have been identified as

investing in 5G using 2600 MHz TDD. Sixteen
of those seventeen are understood to be
using Band n41 spectrum (fifteen holding
licences, eight of them actively deployed or
launching networks) and one to be using
Band n38 spectrum (launched).

have invested in 5G in Band n79. One

3300–4200 MHz (C-Band
spectrum)
While C-Band spectrum has been playing
an increasing role within LTE networks, it
has also emerged as the most deployed
spectrum range for 5G networks so far.
Excluding the more than 200 operators
awarded regional PAL licences in the recent
CBRS spectrum auction in the USA, GSA has
identified 264 operators in 70 countries/
territories holding licences enabling them to
deploy either LTE or 5G networks in C-Band
spectrum.
Of those, 105 operators have been identified
as actively deploying or having launched 5G
networks using Bands n77 or n78.
4400–5000 MHz (Band n79)
Not used for LTE, this range is being
deployed in selected markets for 5G.
GSA has identified eight operators that
has launched, four more hold licences,
one is running pilots and two more have
been catalogued as running trials in this
spectrum band.
Recent mid-band spectrum
assignments
Regulators all around the world have
been working to make more spectrum
available for LTE and 5G services. The table
below lists the key mid-band auctions/
assignments that have recently taken place
(including those for technology-neutral
licences or those dedicated for mobile/
wireless broadband services). The table
excludes news about auctions, assignments,
or renewals focused exclusively on use
for 2G, or 3G services. While many of the
auctions/assignments shown in the table
could theoretically be used for 5G, the
information above shows this is not always
happening yet.

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Table 1: Recent mid-band LTE, 5G and technology-neutral spectrum awards (2019 onwards, excludes test licences)

Country/territory Spectrum bands Licensing basis (e.g. exclusive Auction/award date

5G, mobile broadband etc.)
American Samoa 3550-3650 MHz Priority Access Licences (CBRS) Aug-20
Austria 3410–3800 MHz Technology neutral Mar-19
Austria 1427-1517 MHz SDL; 1920- Technology neutral Sep-20
1980/2110-2170 MHz
Bahrain 2550–2690 MHz TDD Technology neutral Jul-19
Belgium 3600-3800 MHz 5G Jul 20, temporary assignment
Belgium 2520-2535/2640-2655 MHz Electronic communications Sep-20
services
Cambodia 2300 MHz Broadband wireless access 2019
Chile 1755-1770/2155-2170 MHz, 700 MHz and AWS: high speed Feb-21
3300-3400 MHz plus 3600-3650 wireless (LTE-A Pro or 5G),
MHz C-Band and 26 GHz 5G only
China 2.6 GHz, 3.5 GHz, 4.8 GHz 5G Test licences Dec 2018,
commercial operating licences
Jun 2019
China 3300-3400 MHz 5G – shared basis Feb-20
Colombia 2500 MHz (2500–2525/2620– Terrestrial mobile services Dec-19
2645 MHz and 2540– (IMT)
2555/2660–2675 MHz)
Croatia 2500–2690 MHz Broadband wireless access Mar-19
Cyprus 2600 MHz (FDD and TDD Electronic communications Apr-19
blocks) networks
Cyprus 3400-3800 MHz To be confirmed Jan-21
Czechia 3400-3600 MHz Wireless broadband electronic Nov-20
communications services
Denmark 2300 MHz Technology and service neutral Mar-19
Egypt 2600 MHz Mobile services (TDD) Dec-20
El Salvador Band 66 Mobile services Dec-19
France 3490-3800 MHz Technology neutral Nov-20
Germany 1920–1980 MHz/2110–2170 5G Jun-19
MHz and 3400–3700 MHz
Guam 3550-3650 MHz Priority Access Licences (CBRS) Aug-20
Hong Kong S.A.R. 3300–3400 MHz, 3400–3600 Technology neutral Nov-19
MHz, 4830–4930 MHz
Hungary 2100 MHz 5G and wireless broadband Mar-20
Hungary 3600 MHz 5G and wireless broadband Mar-20
Hungary 1800 MHz Mobile and Fixed Jan-21
Communications Networks
Iceland 3500-3800 MHz 5G Mar-20
Israel 2600 MHz, 3500 MHz 5G Aug-20
Japan 3600–4100 MHz, 4500–4600 5G Apr-19
MHz
Kuwait 3500–3700 MHz 5G May-19
Laos 3400-3600 MHz (partial - range 5G 2020
to be confirmed)
Latvia 3500–3550 MHz Electronic communications Rights extended May 2019
Maldives 3400 to 3600 MHz 5G 2019
Mexico 3450-3600 MHz FWA licence renewals Jan-20
Nepal 1800 MHz LTE Dec-19

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 Country/territory Spectrum bands Licensing basis (e.g. exclusive Auction/award date
5G, mobile broadband etc.)
Nepal 1800 MHz LTE Aug-20
Netherlands 1400 MHz Electronic communications Jul-20
Netherlands 2100 MHz Electronic communications Jul-20
New Zealand 3500 MHz (3590–3750 MHz) 5G (short-term licence until Direct allocation May 20
October 2022)
Northern Marianas Islands 3550-3650 MHz Priority Access Licences (CBRS) Aug-20
Norway 2100 MHz Mobile broadband and 5G Jun-19
Peru 3400-3600 MHz Altered existing licences to 2020
enable LTE/5G
Philippines 3.3–3.4 GHz Technology neutral; awarded 2019
to new entrant 2019
Puerto Rico 3550-3650 MHz Priority Access Licences (CBRS) Aug-20
Qatar 3400–3800 MHz 5G Jan-19
Romania 2100 MHz Technology neutral licence Mar-20
extension
Russia 2300 MHz LTE Dec-19
Saudi Arabia 2300 MHz and 2600 MHz 4G and 5G Jan-19
Saudi Arabia 3400–3800 MHz 4G and 5G Mar-19
Singapore 3450-3650 MHz 5G Jun-20
Slovakia 2x9MHz at 1800 MHz Wireless broadband (700 MHz), Nov-20
technology neutral (900 MHz
and 1800 MHz)
Spain 3400-3800 MHz (20 MHz within To be confirmed Feb-21
this range)
Sweden 3400-3620 MHz and 2300-2380 Mobile broadband services Jan-21
MHz
Switzerland 1400 MHz, 3500–3600 MHz, Technology neutral Feb-19
3600–3800 MHz
Taiwan 3300-3570 MHz 5G Mar-20
Thailand 1800 MHz (1750–1785/1845– Mobile services (technology Feb-20
1880 MHz), 2600 MHz (2500– neutral)
2690 MHz)
UAE 3.3–3.4 GHz 5G 2020
UK 3800–4200 MHz, 1800 MHz Allocated for localised shared Jul-19
(1781.7–1785/1876.7–1880 spectrum licences (technology
MHz), 2300 MHz (2390–2400 neutral)
MHz)
Uruguay AWS, 1800 MHz and 2.5 GHz Mobile services Dec-19
USA 3550-3650 MHz Priority Access Licences (CBRS) Aug-20
USA 3700-3980 MHz Technology neutral Feb-21

*Note that due to the typically technology-neutral status of licences in the USA, multiple historic auctions are relevant for 5G including 2.5 GHz
(March 1996) and others. See www.fcc.gov/auctions for full details.

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LTE device support for mid- Table 2: LTE device support for major mid-bands (data correct to end
spectrum bands January 2021)

GSA’s GAMBoD database shows that the Band Number of devices

number of devices available that can support
1900 MHz (B25) 1327
key spectrum bands between 1 GHz and 6
GHz varies widely. The counts range from TDD 1900 MHz (B39) 3474
one identified device supporting Band 65 to TDD 2600 MHz (B38) 5108
more than 12,600 devices supporting Band TDD 2600 MHz (B41) 5273
3. The mid-spectrum bands supported by
the most devices are shown in Table 2. 1900 MHz (B2) 5270
AWS (B4) 5506
This data clearly shows that the key bands
for LTE are all very well supported, with TDD 2300 MHz (B40) 6527
thousands of devices on offer. 2100 MHz (B1) 10730
2600 MHz (B7) 10886
1800 MHz (B3) 12626

5G device support for mid-band Table 3: 5G device support for major mid-spectrum bands (announced
spectrum devices, not necessarily commercially available yet) (data correct to end
January 2021)
5G device support is at an early stage.
GSA’s GAMBoD database includes 299
Band Number of announced devices
commercially available devices that explicitly
support one or more of the spectrum bands TDD 2600 MHz (n38) 89
between 1 GHz and 6 GHz and another 62 1900 MHz (n2) 101
pre-commercial devices that are expected to 1700 MHz (n66) 103
support one or more of these bands when
2600 MHz (n7) 131
they become available.
1800 MHz (n3) 215
TDD 4700 MHz (n79) 221
TDD 3700 MHZ (n77) 229
2100 MHz (n1) 252
TDD 2500 MHz (n41) 302
TDD 3500 MHz (n78) 333

Summary
As the rapid commercial introduction of 5G continues and demand
for bandwidth continues to rise rapidly in both LTE and 5G networks,
telecom regulators around the world are working to free up more
spectrum for services. Including those underway, more than 30 mid-
band spectrum auctions/assignments could take place during 2021.

With many other countries/territories still to set out their 5G licensing

strategies, more will follow in 2021, 2022 and 2023. GSA will track and
report on progress in future updates of this report.

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ABOUT GSA
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mobile ecosystem and has
been representing mobile
suppliers since 1998.

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©Global mobile Suppliers Association. 2021