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Talks about 5G, the fifth generation of cellular network technology were underway in 2018, and worldwide deployment began by 2019. The prospects for 5G appeared to be sensational, and the hype continues – although we haven’t witnessed the full potential yet.
Everyone expected 5G to make a grand entrance and replace 4G like it never existed – unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. 5G hasn’t delivered the level of speed and performance we were looking forward to, and that’s where C-Band joins the chat…
What is C-Band?
C-band can be defined as a spectrum of radio frequencies that will get us closer to the superior performance goals associated with 5G technology. To understand C-band and its importance, you must first be familiar with how 5G works.
How does 5G Work?
5G, like all other wireless communication technologies, uses radio frequencies to transfer data. Compared to older cellular network technologies (3G & 4G), it employs higher radio frequencies that have greater bandwidth and less traffic.
The higher band or spectrum of frequencies allows 5G to carry larger amounts of information at faster rates. However, there are limitations with distance; these frequencies have a smaller range than lower frequencies because physical objects can easily block them.
The 5G spectrum is categorized into three bands:
- Low band
- Mid Band (also known as C-band)
- High Band (also known as mmWave)
Comparison of 5G Bands
| Band Name | Frequency Range | Speed Capacity | Coverage/Distance from Tower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Band | 600 MHz to 1 GHz | Up to 50 Mbps | Hundreds of square miles |
| Mid/C-Band | 3.7 GHz to 4 GHz | Up to 500 Mbps | Up to 6 square miles |
| High Band | 24 GHz to 39 GHz | Multi-gig speeds | 0.5 square mile or less |
Why is C-Band Important for 5G?
5G’s low band can provide impressive coverage, but the achievable speeds are mediocre – you can hardly consider them an upgrade from 4G’s capabilities. On the other hand, the high band or mmWave can deliver incredibly high speeds, but the limited range is a major hurdle.
Mass deployment of the mmWave is impractical as it would require constructing thousands of cell towers within a single city – building, managing, and maintaining the closely-knit network would be far too expensive and inconvenient.
Therefore, the C-band is just right, providing the perfect balance of performance and coverage. It does not yield multi-gig speeds like the high band, though it’s still appreciably fast and provides sizable coverage.
Benefits of C-Band
C-band has greater bandwidth/capacity compared to frequencies in the 4G spectrum, which enables greater speeds on mobile devices.
C-band frequencies can travel much longer distances than frequencies in the mmWave, so mass distribution won't require too many cell towers.
Well-designed C-band networks can cover large areas without being disrupted by basic physical barriers like walls and buildings.
A substantial portion of C-band spectrum is available for commercial use. Moreover, it can be integrated with the existing 5G infrastructure.
Why isn’t C-Band widely available?
The advantages of 5G’s C-band are crystal clear, so why isn’t everyone using it? You must be familiar with the many controversies attached to the 5G technology, such as:
- The high frequencies of the 5G spectrum can cause cancer
- 5G was the cause of Covid-19
- 5G is responsible for mass bee deaths
While all these claims and theories are obviously false, they have partially contributed to the delay in the growth of 5G technology. On the contrary, the sustainability of the technology and the possibility of it interfering with aircraft operations did raise actual concerns.
Experimenting with the C-band has negated most of these apprehensions, but 5G carriers are meticulously working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create feasible solutions for widespread deployment.
Do I need C-Band for my Home or Business?
5G’s C-band has what it takes to bring wireless communication to new heights, but it’s not necessarily the best solution for homes and businesses right now. While it has the potential to provide blazing fast and low latency internet, the real-world applications are limited at this time.
5G has enabled faster mobile internet and created more favorable internet options for rural residents, but it’s a work in progress – utilizing the C-band can trigger huge developments. At present, overall speeds and performance are no match for what you can get with high-speed wired broadband.
FAQs
How can C-band improve 5G internet?
C-band will allow 5G to deliver higher speeds and lower latency.
Which 5G internet providers are using the C-band?
AT&T and Verizon are the two main 5G carriers utilizing the C-band right now. While T-Mobile has the biggest 5G market share, it largely relies on the low-band at present.
How can I use the 5G C-band?
For starters, you’ll need a smartphone or device that supports 5G’s C-band. Secondly, you will need to sign up for an internet service that deploys the 5G C-band
