OPERATORS

Global Frequencies

Common wireless frequencies around the world

Airwaive Operator

Licensed or Unlicensed?

Countries have different rules for wireless frequencies and who has rights to use them

Licensed

Exclusive rights

Unlicensed

Shared wireless spectrum

Wireless frequencies can be categorized into:

1. Licensed – assigned to operators for exclusive usage, typically offering the greatest reliability and performance.

2. Unlicensed – assigned to everyone for non-exclusive usage, subject to regulatory constraints such as power transmission.

Common Unlicensed Frequencies

Frequency Details
2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee. May be congested.
3.5GHz CBRS: Part licensed; part unlicensed. US government has priority access
5GHz Wi-Fi (especially 802.11ac): higher speed, lower range.
6GHz Wi-Fi 6, satellite. Part licensed; part unlicensed.

Common Licensed Frequencies

Frequency Details
600MHz LTE (Canada, US)
700MHz LTE, 5G (Americas, Caribbean, Europe, APAC)
800MHz GSM, LTE, 5G (EMEA)
850MHz GSM, LTE, 5G (Americas, APAC)
900MHz GSM, 5G (APAC, EMEA); LTE (Europe, APAC)
1500MHz LTE (Japan)
1700MHz LTE (Americas)
1800MHz GSM, LTE, 5G (APAC, EMEA)
1900MHz GSM, 5G (Americas)
2100MHz LTE, 5G (APAC, EMEA)
2.3GHz 5G
2.5GHz 5G
2.6GHz LTE, 5G (Canada, Central & South Americas, Europe, Africa, APAC)
3.5GHz CBRS: Part licensed; part unlicensed
3.7GHz C-Band
5.2GHz 5G
5.9GHz 5G
6GHz 5G
26GHz 5G (Mostly EMEA & US)
28GHz 5G (Mostly APAC)
39GHz 5G
41GHz 5G
47GHz
5G