In brief
5G networks can combine several frequency bands. Device support, national allocation and local network deployment are three separate questions.
A specification sheet lists n78, a coverage map mentions 3.6 GHz, and Germany's regulator names the range from 3.4 to 3.7 GHz. These figures describe different aspects of the same spectrum: an international band definition, a frequency range and Germany's allocation.
Frequency, band and channel bandwidth describe different things
A frequency is expressed in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). 1 GHz equals 1,000 MHz. A frequency band is a defined range with a band number. For 5G New Radio, that number starts with n, as in n28 or n78.
Channel bandwidth describes how much spectrum a radio connection or channel occupies. The amount a connection uses depends on network configuration and device capabilities.
| Example | 3GPP band definition | Duplex mode | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 MHz · n28 | Uplink 703–748 MHz; downlink 758–803 MHz | FDD | Low-frequency band, useful for wide-area coverage |
| 2.1 GHz · n1 | Uplink 1920–1980 MHz; downlink 2110–2170 MHz | FDD | The range called 2 GHz in the original article |
| 3.6 GHz · n78 | 3,300–3,800 MHz, shared frequencies for both directions | TDD | Contains Germany's 3,400–3,700 MHz auction range and 3,700–3,800 MHz campus-network range |
| 26 GHz · n258 | 24.25–27.50 GHz, shared frequencies for both directions | TDD | High-frequency band for particular local deployment scenarios |
3.6 GHz: n78 and Germany's spectrum award
Internationally, band n78 spans 3,300 to 3,800 MHz. Germany's 2019 auction awarded 3,400 to 3,700 MHz for public mobile networks. The neighbouring 3,700 to 3,800 MHz range is available by application for local uses such as campus networks. The band number defines the technical framework; national allocations determine which parts may be used.
In the 2019 auction, Telekom and Vodafone each acquired 90 MHz in this range, Telefónica 70 MHz, and Drillisch, now 1&1, 50 MHz. These figures document the 2019 spectrum award. Present-day network performance depends on deployed frequencies, sites, antennas, load and network equipment.
Spectrum around 3.6 GHz can add capacity where enough spectrum and suitable sites are available. It can also be deployed in rural areas. Site planning follows the coverage objective and demand.
FDD and TDD: separating transmission and reception
With Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), uplink and downlink use separate frequency ranges. Uplink runs from the device to the network; downlink runs back to the device. FDD allocations are therefore often described as paired spectrum. 2 × 10 MHz means 10 MHz in each direction.
With Time Division Duplex (TDD), both directions share a frequency range, with the network separating them in time. Bands n28 and n1 use FDD; n78 and n258 use TDD. For either method, achievable data rates depend on channel bandwidth, antenna technology, radio conditions and load.
FDD and TDD separate the two transmission directions. Sharing a carrier between LTE and 5G NR is covered in the article on Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS).
700 MHz: low frequencies for wide-area coverage
Germany auctioned the 700 MHz frequencies in 2015 as part of the second digital dividend. The switch to digital terrestrial television freed this spectrum. Telekom, Vodafone and Telefónica each acquired 10 MHz of paired spectrum. The archived diagram below shows that allocation.
Under comparable conditions, low frequencies suit larger coverage areas and reception inside buildings. Actual range depends on terrain, buildings, transmit power and antennas. Channel bandwidth, signal quality and load also affect usable data rates.
The basic NSA architecture with an LTE anchor and EPC combines LTE with 5G radio. Standalone connects 5G radio to a 5G core. The network configuration determines the bands used for signalling and data. Our EPC article explains the core network.
2 GHz: from former UMTS spectrum to LTE and 5G
The original article uses 2 GHz to describe the range around 2.1 GHz, identified as n1 in 5G. Its announcement of a future UMTS shutdown reflected the situation in 2020. Telekom, for example, switched off UMTS in 2021 and uses released spectrum for LTE and 5G.
This range also saw new auction results in 2019. The old allocation diagram shows periods ending in 2025 and a subsequent section with conflicting dates. It is explicitly retained as a historical illustration. For today's operator blocks, consult the Bundesnetzagentur's current overview.
26 GHz: local networks and specialised applications
The article's 26 GHz range belongs to band n258, which spans 24.25 to 27.50 GHz. The Bundesnetzagentur provides application documents for local broadband use in this range.
Possible uses include local industrial networks, hotspots and specifically planned fixed wireless connections. A Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) connection serves a fixed location over radio using suitable equipment, often called customer premises equipment or CPE.
At high frequencies, line of sight, obstruction and antenna alignment require particular attention. An indoor network is planned inside the building. For coverage from outside, the signal must also cross the building envelope. Data rates depend on this radio path and the available channel bandwidth, among other factors.
Integrated Access Backhaul: in-band and out-of-band explains how device access links and a cell's wireless backhaul can use shared or separate frequency resources.
The international band table from the original article
The following table retains the 44 entries from the original article. It documents the band definitions at that time. Current allocations and actual deployment determine present-day use in Germany.
Show 44 historical band entries
| Band | Duplex mode | Frequency position¹ | Original name | Uplink / TDD range¹ | Downlink¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n257 | TDD | 28 GHz | LMDS | 26.50 – 29.50 GHz | |
| n258 | TDD | 26 GHz | K band | 24.25 – 27.50 GHz | |
| n260 | TDD | 39 GHz | Ka band | 37.00 – 40.00 GHz | |
| n261 | TDD | 28 GHz | Ka band | 27.50 – 28.35 GHz | |
| n1 | FDD | 2100 | IMT | 1920 – 1980 | 2110 – 2170 |
| n2 | FDD | 1900 | PCS | 1850 – 1910 | 1930 – 1990 |
| n3 | FDD | 1800 | DCS | 1710 – 1785 | 1805 – 1880 |
| n5 | FDD | 850 | CLR | 824 – 849 | 869 – 894 |
| n7 | FDD | 2600 | IMT-E | 2500 – 2570 | 2620 – 2690 |
| n8 | FDD | 900 | Extended GSM | 880 – 915 | 925 – 960 |
| n12 | FDD | 700 | Lower SMH | 699 – 716 | 729 – 746 |
| n14 | FDD | 700 | Upper SMH | 788 – 798 | 758 – 768 |
| n18 | FDD | 850 | Lower 800 (Japan) | 815 – 830 | 860 – 875 |
| n20 | FDD | 800 | Digital dividend (EU) | 832 – 862 | 791 – 821 |
| n25 | FDD | 1900 | Extended PCS | 1850 – 1915 | 1930 – 1995 |
| n28 | FDD | 700 | APT | 703 – 748 | 758 – 803 |
| n29 | SDL | 700 | Lower SMH | N/A | 717 – 728 |
| n34 | TDD | 2100 | IMT | 2010 – 2025 | |
| n30 | FDD | 2300 | WCS | 2305 – 2315 | 2350 – 2360 |
| n38 | TDD | 2600 | IMT-E | 2570 – 2620 | |
| n40 | TDD | 2300 | S band | 2300 – 2400 | |
| n39 | TDD | 1900 | DCS-IMT Gap | 1880 – 1920 | |
| n41 | TDD | 2500 | BRS | 2496 – 2690 | |
| n48 | TDD | 3500 | CBRS (US) | 3550 – 3700 | |
| n50 | TDD | 1500 | L band | 1432 – 1517 | |
| n51 | TDD | 1500 | L-band extension | 1427 – 1432 | |
| n65 | FDD | 2100 | Extended IMT | 1920 – 2010 | 2110 – 2200 |
| n66 | FDD | 1700 | Extended AWS | 1710 – 1780 | 2110 – 2200 |
| n70 | FDD | 2000 | AWS-4 | 1695 – 1710 | 1995 – 2020 |
| n74 | FDD | 1500 | Lower L band (Japan) | 1427 – 1470 | 1475 – 1518 |
| n71 | FDD | 600 | Digital dividend (US) | 663 – 698 | 617 – 652 |
| n75 | SDL | 1500 | L band | N/A | 1432 – 1517 |
| n76 | SDL | 1500 | Extended L band | N/A | 1427 – 1432 |
| n77 | TDD | 3700 | C band | 3300 – 4200 | |
| n78 | TDD | 3500 | C band | 3300 – 3800 | |
| n79 | TDD | 4700 | C band | 4400 – 5000 | |
| n80 | SUL | 1800 | DCS | 1710 – 1785 | N/A |
| n81 | SUL | 900 | Extended GSM | 880 – 915 | N/A |
| n82 | SUL | 800 | Digital Dividend (EU) | 832 – 862 | N/A |
| n83 | SUL | 700 | APT | 703 – 748 | N/A |
| n84 | SUL | 2100 | IMT | 1920 – 1980 | N/A |
| n86 | SUL | 1700 | Extended AWS | 1710 – 1780 | N/A |
| n89 | SUL | 850 | CLR | 824 – 849 | N/A |
| n90 | TDD | 2500 | BRS | 2496 – 2690 |
Historical allocation diagrams from the original
English redrawings of the three archived figures retain their historical operator blocks and dates. Current allocations are available from the regulator.
Show the original 3.6 GHz, 700 MHz and 2 GHz allocation diagrams
What to check when choosing a phone or router
- Check band numbers. The specifications should list the NR bands relevant to your use.
- Consider the network and location. The device, plan and operating mode need to suit local coverage.
- Test at the intended location. An on-site test tells you more than estimating a data rate from frequency alone.
Our guide to 5G routers and FWA applies these points to a fixed connection. It also covers band combinations, NSA/SA and router antenna connections.
Sources and editorial review
- LTEmobile: 5G frequencies and bands, source article; last modified in the original material on 31 January 2020.
- 3GPP TS 38.101-1 / ETSI TS 138 101-1 V18.5.0, FR1 band definitions and duplex modes.
- 3GPP TS 38.101-2 / ETSI TS 138 101-2 V16.24.0, FR2 band definitions.
- Bundesnetzagentur: Mobile networks, frequency overviews and auction results.
- Bundesnetzagentur: Regional and local networks, applications for 3.7–3.8 GHz and 26 GHz.
- GSMA: Operator Requirements for 5G Core Connectivity Options, NSA and SA architectures.
- Deutsche Telekom: The difference between 4G and 5G, UMTS shutdown and spectrum reuse.
Migrated and editorially revised in the test installation on 26 October 2026. The international band list and old allocation diagrams are identified as archive material. The live site remains unchanged.