5G Band Name
26 GHz
Duplex Mode
Supported Channel Bandwidths
50 100 200 400 MHz
Overview
The 24 to 29 GHz range is the world's most tested 5G mmWave frequency range due to the availability of large blocks of underutilised spectrum.
However standardising a single mmWave band to cover the entire 24.25 to 29.50 GHz range would not be practical as it would require RF devices to handle a 5.25 GHz wide bandwidth. As such three bands were defined to cover the three geographical groups:
- n257: Covering 26.5 to 29.5 GHz for Japan, North America, and South Korea
- n258: Covering 24.25 to 27.5 GHz for Europe, China, and Australia
- n261: Covering a narrower 27.5 to 28.35 GHz for operation alongside n260 (39 GHz) in the United States
The n258 (26 GHz) band is most popular in countries where the upper segment of 28 GHz mmWave range is in use for satellite ground communication.