Vodafone today announced that it intends to deploy low-band 5G to complement the sub-6 5G network it is currently building. In short, this will allow Vodafone to expand its 5G coverage faster while also offering better indoor performance.
The characteristics of a 5G network depend on the network frequencies it is deployed on. There are three different kinds of 5G, that work across different frequency groups: mmWave, sub 6, and low-band.
mmWave 5G uses extremely high frequencies starting from 26GHz. While mmWave is the fastest 5G technology - potentially reaching speeds over 4Gbps, it has the shortest range and can have issues penetrating buildings. No Australian 5G networks have a mmWave component. Australian telcos will be able to bid for access to mmWave spectrum at the start of 2021. This means it is unlikely we'll see any mmWave 5G connectivity in Australia late 2021 or early 2022.
Sub 6 5G, also known as mid-band 5G runs on frequencies similar to what 4G networks use now, albeit on the higher end of the spectrum. Vodafone is using 3.5GHz for its 5G network. Sub 6 5G isn't as fast as mmWave - you're going to struggle to pass 1Gbps - but you get more coverage per tower. Sub 6 5G can work indoors, but can still have trouble passing through walls. All Australian 5G networks currently rely on Sub 6 5G.
Lastly, low-band 5G is built on frequencies under 1Ghz. In the case of Vodafone, it plans to repurpose the 700Mhz it currently uses for 4G for its low-band 4G. Low-band 5G has a much wider range the either mmWave or sub 6 5G, and is far more effective indoors. The trade-off, however, is speed. Based on what we've seen in the US, low-band 5G should offer performance similar to 4G, but a little bit better. This means we'll probably see speeds between 50 to 250Mbps, depending on conditions. Low-band 5G should still support more simultaneous connections than a 4G network on the same spectrum and offer improved latency.
Vodafone is the first Australian telco to announce low-band 5G plans, and has teamed up with Nokia (the network builder, as opposed to the phone manufacturer) to trial the technology in Parramatta, New South Wales.
Vodafone was the last telco to turn on its 5G network, flicking the switch in March this year. While Vodafone 5G coverage is currently limited, the telco says 650 sites around the country will progressively go live from the middle of the year.
Alex Choros
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