Allocating spectrum in the 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands for mobile telecommunications will contribute to the development of 5G in Latin America and the Caribbean, thanks to a combination of physical properties of the bands and a high degree of international compatibility.
This information was highlighted in the report Current Scenario of Radio Spectrum Bands in Latin America: 2,300 MHz, 2,500 MHz and 3,500 MHz, published by 5G Americas, which addresses progress in the region around the bidding and allocation of ‘middle bands’ to leverage mobile broadband.
The spectrum bands mentioned in the report are suitable for network development in areas with high connection density. Although they have a lower propagation potential than ‘low’ bands (below 1 GHz), they offer wider bandwidths, useful for increasing the capacity of mobile networks.
These properties are relevant for networks in urban areas but can also support deployment in remote or rural areas where ‘traditional’ mobile connections and the Internet of Things (IoT) are concentrated for industrial applications.
The 2.5 GHz band was directed towards mobile service practically on a global level, which materialized in a wide ecosystem of compatible network equipment and terminals. Thus, the allocation of the 2.5 GHz band for mobile services stimulated the adoption of LTE networks, in the cases of Brazil and Chile.
