As you might be aware, if you use 4G or 5G internet, you use the EM spectrum. But have you ever wondered which frequencies you use for it? Well, we’re afraid the answer is a little more complicated than either of us would like, but read on to find out more.
What is a frequency?
So, before we can talk about what frequencies the big three tier 1 Telcos use, we first need to establish what a frequency is. You may have heard this word in other circumstances, for example, when listening to your favorite radio station.
Well, lots of technology uses what’s called the “Electromagnetic spectrum.” We’re not gonna turn this article into a science lesson, but thanks to the EM spectrum, we have microwaves, x-rays, wi-fi, and we can even see colors. More recently, however, we have also started using this spectrum to send data through the internet without the need for a wi-fi router.
MHz- How frequency is measured.
Frequency (at least for 4/5G) is measured in MHz (Mega Hertz). Let’s break that down.
One hertz is one cycle per second. If one day, EM Waves suddenly became visible, and you were to put your finger on one peak and wait for one second, the number of peaks that would touch your finger in that second is the number of hertz of that particular EM wave.
One million hertz is one megahert.
How are frequencies allocated?
In Australia, all frequencies on the EM spectrum are allocated by the ACMA- the Australian Communications and Media Authority- the governing body that makes sure everyone is playing by the rules.
The ACMA will bundle various frequencies into what are called “bands,” which are then sold at auction. The big three- Vodafone, Telstra, and Optus buy the rights to these bands and sell access to both their customers and their MVNOs.
What people get wrong about 4G and 5G
Many people think that 5G internet is like a product, where if it gets popular, more can be made. This is not the case.
Because 5G is part of the EM spectrum, it’s better to think of 5G as a field (granted a very big one) that can be split into parts, and each part is sold to someone. But, each Tier 1 can only control the land that they own.
A little disclaimer
Okay, now we get into the technical, numbery part of the article. Please don’t feel bad if you don’t understand all of it, but hopefully, it should give you a slightly better understanding than before of who owns what.
Also, the numbers given don’t always reflect the exact frequency used. They are just the names of the bad that represent a range.
What frequency is 3G on?
All three Tier 1’s seem to use the same frequency bands for their 3G internet. There doesn’t seem to be an awful lot of information about it. However, from what I can gather, 3G uses the B1 (2100MHz) and B5 (850MHz) bands. Although, with most of the Tier 1 Telcos looking to close their 3G networks within the next five years, it’s likely this information will soon cease to be relevant to many of you.
Optus
Optus has both 5G and 4G access. Listed below are all the parts of the 4G spectrum that Optus has access to.
- 20Mhz in B1 (2100MHz)
- 20 Mhz in B3 (1800MHz)
- 40 MHz in B7 (2600Mhz)
- 10 MHz in B28 (700MHz)
- 20 MHz in B40 (2300Mhz)
As well as 4G, Optus also has 5G access. For some reason, 5G bands begin with N rather than B. Here is what Optus has.
- 60 MHz in N78 (3500MHz)
Telstra
Here are the 4G bands Telstra has legal access to.
- 20 MHz in B1 (2100MHz)
- 40 MHz in B3 (1800MHz)
- 40 MHz in B7 (2600Mhz)
- 20 MHz in B28 (700MHz)
And for their 5G.
- 80 MHz in N78 (3500MHz)
- Unknown MHz in N258 (26 GHz)
Vodafone
The smallest of the Tier 1’s is Vodafone, which uses the following frequencies for its 4G.
- 5 MHz in B1 (2100MHz)
- 30 MHz in B3 (1800MHz)
- 10 MHz in B5 (850MHz)
- 0.2 MHz in B8 (900Mhz)
And for their 5G.
- 60 MHz in N78 (3500MHz)
Conclusion
If you were looking for three single numbers to answer the question, “What frequencies do Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone use?” we’re sorry to disappoint you. In Australia, different frequencies are bundled up and sold as “bands.” Think of it like how a field might be split into sections and different sections of each section sold to different developers. Today, the Tier ones are in the process of repurposing their 3G bands for 5G. Of course, I don’t know when you’re reading this, so perhaps the numbers here are all wrong by the time you are, or maybe EM internet will be a thing of the past. But, for the 18th of November 2022, the numbers in this article reflect who uses which frequencies in the EM spectrum for their 4G and 5G internet.