Sub-6 5G services use wireless frequencies under six gigahertz. These frequencies are the same or similar to those used for 4G service.
Sub-6 5G works well for covering large areas, but it is not as fast as extremely high-frequency millimeter wave 5G.
Sub-6 5G will sometimes be divided into mid-band and low-band 5G. Low-band 5G uses frequencies under one gigahertz. Mid-band 5G uses frequencies between one gigahertz and six gigahertz.
Sub-6 5G bands
U.S. networks have been using at least three different bands for sub-6 5G service:
- n71 (600MHz) – T-Mobile’s nationwide, low-band 5G
- n5 (850MHz) – AT&T’s low-band 5G
- n41 (2500MHz) – Sprint/T-Mobile’s mid-band 5G
