Technology | New wireless communication frequency allocation

Dec 23,2024
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What is radio spectrum

Radio waves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 3 Hz and approximately 300 GHz, also known as radio frequency waves, or simply radio frequency or radio waves. Radio technology converts sound signals or other signals and uses radio waves to propagate them.

Electromagnetic waves in this frequency range, known as radio waves, are widely used in modern technology, especially in the telecommunications field. To prevent interference between different users, the generation and transmission of radio waves are strictly regulated by international law and coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The International Telecommunication Union has allocated different parts of the radio spectrum for different radio transmission technologies and applications; The International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations (RR) define approximately 40 radio communication services. In some cases, some radio spectrum is sold or licensed to operators of private radio transmission services (such as cellular telephone operators or broadcast television stations). The range of frequency allocation is usually mentioned by its provided usage (e.g. cellular spectrum or television spectrum).

Due to being a fixed resource with an increasing number of users, the wireless spectrum has become increasingly crowded in recent decades, requiring more effective utilization to drive innovation in modern telecommunications, such as spread spectrum (ultra wideband) transmission, frequency reuse, dynamic spectrum management, frequency aggregation, and cognitive radio.

Band division

The commonly used frequency bands for wireless communication networks are ultra-high frequency (0.3-3GHz, carrying 2G/3G/4G) and ultra-high frequency (3-30GHz, carrying 5G). Ultra high frequency is due to the fact that 5G and some satellite communications also use the C-band (4.0-8.0GHz), and the strength of 5G signals on the ground is significantly higher than that of satellite signals, which may cause 5G signals to interfere with satellite signals. In response to this situation, there are filters available on the market for satellite users that can reduce the interference caused by 5G signals.

Spectrum allocation refers to government agencies allocating different radio frequencies to different purposes. If there is no allocation, the spectrum cannot be used because broadcasting companies and communication signal transmitters will interfere with each other. In the past two decades, with the emergence of more and more commercial wireless applications, spectrum has become increasingly precious.

This means that competition for spectrum, which has become a scarce resource, is becoming increasingly fierce. How a country manages this competition and makes decisions between various uses is an important determining factor for its national economy and defense.

It can be said that spectrum allocation is a part of strategic competition. So, what is the current status of wireless communication frequency allocation in China?

New wireless communication frequency allocation

5G NR（R17)

1) According to 3GPP Release 17 specification

5G NR includes two major spectrum ranges, Frequency Range 1 (FR 1) and Frequency Range 2 (FR 2). The frequency range of FR1 is 410MHz – 7125MHz, the frequency range of FR2-1 is 24.25GHz – 52.6GHz, and the frequency range of FR2-2 is 52.6GHz – 71GHz.

2) Regarding the 5G NR NTN (Non Terrestrial Network) frequency band

3GPP Release 17 introduced two frequency bands for 5G NTN: L-band N255 (1626.5-1660.5 MHz/1525-1559 MHz) and S-band N256 (1980-2010 MHz/2170-2200 MHz).

5G dedicated network frequency band

Currently, some countries/regions have allocated shared spectrum for 5G private networks, and vertical industries can apply for these spectrum resources to build their own 5G private networks.

4G/3G/2G

short distance wireless communication

LPWAN

Satellite Navigation System

Frequency band allocation of the four major telecom operators

1) In November 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved China Unicom to repurpose the 904-915/949-960MHz frequency band (900MHz frequency band) currently used for 2G/3G/4G systems for 5G systems.

2) In August 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology granted China Telecom permission to repurpose the 800MHz frequency band used for 2G/3G/4G systems into 5G public mobile communication systems.