Carrier aggregation
Combining multiple carriers to increase the effective bandwidth.
Definitions only — a term explained here is not a service we sell.
Carrier aggregation (CA) lets a device use several carriers at once, in the same band or in different bands, as one data connection. The network schedules traffic across the carriers the device supports.
Why it matters
The headline rate of a device is often a sum across carriers. Without the right band combination and network support, the device falls back to one carrier and the rate drops, even when each band is present.
Carriers in different bands
| Value | Zone | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| B3 | 1800 MHz | Mid band · 65% |
| B7 | 2600 MHz | Mid-high band · 45% |
| B41 | 2500 MHz | Wide mid band · 50% |
Relative reach
Text description
A device's capability lists the band combinations it supports, not just the bands. Two devices can list the same bands and support different combinations, which is why the combination is the testable claim.
What to check
Ask for the supported band combinations, not only the band list. Confirm the network deploys the combination in the market and that the device firmware enables it. The frequency band term and the throughput term explain the parts.