Low-band 5G enhances connectivity in rural regions through its extended range, better penetration of obstacles, and cost-effectiveness[1][5][7]. It is designed to bridge the digital divide by providing reliable and affordable wireless connectivity to underserved areas[3][4][9].
Key improvements offered by low-band 5G:
* Extended Coverage Low-band 5G signals can travel considerably farther than higher frequency bands, allowing for broader coverage with fewer cell towers, which is ideal for sparsely populated rural areas[1][4].
* Overcoming Obstacles Low-band frequencies can navigate through walls, windows, trees, and other obstructions more effectively, ensuring robust and stable indoor connectivity[1][3][5].
* Cost-Effectiveness Low-band 5G reduces the cost of extending 5G to rural populations and improves the business case for 5G fixed wireless access[9]. An additional 2x20 MHz can reduce an operatorâs cost of building rural 5G coverage to unconnected areas by 33%[7].
* Digital Inclusion By offering 5G speeds in rural areas, low-band spectrum helps to provide equitable access to services available in urban areas, promoting digital inclusion[8][9].
* Supports essential services and industries Low-band 5G facilitates remote healthcare, precision agriculture, and improved connectivity for emergency services, contributing to the overall development of rural communities[3][4][9].
Low-band 5G utilizes frequencies once occupied by TV channels and can move data at rates several times faster than 4G[2]. It is well-suited for providing coverage where it may be difficult to deploy higher frequency bands[5]. Many mobile operators use low-band spectrum to deploy 5G networks that can coexist with their existing 4G networks, allowing for a smooth transition to the new technology without disrupting existing services[5].
Citations:
[1] https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/low-band-5g-broadband-for-better-rural-connectivity/172391/
[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/tmobile/2021/04/09/how-5g-will-bring-high-speed-internet-to-underserved-communities/
[3] https://nybsys.com/5g-bands/
[4] https://horizonpowered.com/5g-improve-rural-coverage/
[5] https://wraycastle.com/blogs/glossary/what-is-low-band-spectrum-in-5g
[6] https://www.gsma.com/connectivity-for-good/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Socio-Economic-Benefits-of-Low-Band-Spectrum.pdf
[7] https://www.gsma.com/connectivity-for-good/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Low-Band-Spectrum-for-5G.pdf
[8] https://www.gsma.com/connectivity-for-good/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/5G-Low-Band-Spectrum-1.pdf
[9] https://www.gsma.com/connectivity-for-good/spectrum/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Low-Band-Spectrum-for-5G.pdf