Carrier aggregation (CA), 4x4 DL MIMO, HPUE, CBRS and LAA are growing across the world.

The number of 4G LTE frequency bands is increasing. We are also moving into an era of downlink CA beyond 5 Component Carriers (CC). High Performance UE (+26 dBm) usage is expanding as is LAA (Licensed Assisted Access) in unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum enabling small cell densification.

The U.S. is about to embark on 3.5 GHz in shared spectrum, Citizens Broadband Radio Service (B48 CBRS), which will enable expansion of private LTE networks and neutral hosts. 2018 will bring the rollout of the FirstNet B14 LTE system for first responders, which will be available for usage in consumer cell phones where spare capacity exists.

3GPP has approved the first 5G New Radio (New Radio) Specification (38.101) using an LTE anchor in a Dual Connect configuration of LTE and 5G systems, called non-standalone (NSA NR). 5G will initially use FR1 (Frequency Range 1, <6 GHz) bands n28, n41, n71, n77, n78 and n79; then mmWave FR2 (Frequency Range 2, >6 GHz) band n257 (28 GHz); and followed by n260 (39 GHz).

Global Bands, CA and Features
Region Deployed Planned
Europe 3CC_CA, UL 2CC_CA
B1, B3, B7, B20, B28, B38
4CC_CA, LAA, L+L CA
B40, B46, n28, n78
China 3CC_CA, UL 2CC_CA
B1, B3, B5, B8, B39, B40, B41
UL 3CC_CA, 4x4 MIMO, HPUE
B38, n78, n79
South Korea 5CC_CA, UL 2CC_CA, 4x4 MIMO
B1, B3, B5, B7, B8
LAA
B46, n78, n257
Japan 4CC_CA, 4x4 MIMO
B1, B3, B11, B18, B19, B21, B26, B28, B41, B42
5CC_CA, UL 2CC_CA, HPUE
n77, n79, n257
Australia B1, B3, B5, B8, B40, B41 2CC_CA
U.S. 4CC_CA, 4x4 MIMO, LAA, HPUE
B4/66, B5, B12, B13, B2, B30, B41, B46, B71
>5CC_CA, UL 2CC_CA, CBRS
B14, B48, n71, n41, n257, n260


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