Spectrum
The radio frequencies a regulator assigns to mobile networks.
Definitions only — a term explained here is not a service we sell.
Spectrum is the range of radio frequencies a network uses to carry signals. A regulator assigns blocks of it to operators, usually by license, and the operator decides which generation and technology uses each block.
Why it matters
Spectrum is the scarce resource behind coverage and capacity. Low frequencies travel further and penetrate buildings; high frequencies carry more data but need denser sites. An operator's holdings set what its network can do.
Bands in a spectrum plan
| Value | Zone | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| B28 | 700 MHz | Low band · 95% |
| B3 | 1800 MHz | Mid band · 65% |
| B7 | 2600 MHz | Mid-high band · 45% |
| n78 | 3500 MHz | 5G mid band · 30% |
Relative reach
Text description
The chart compares band names and approximate frequency. Reach is relative: low band covers more area per site, high band carries more capacity per hertz. A regulator's assignment decides which bands an operator can use.
What to check
Separate the resource from the band name: spectrum is the range, a band is a named slice and a channel is a point inside it. Ask which bands an operator holds and which the device supports before comparing coverage. The frequency band term covers the naming.