If you are a telco enthusiast, you might already be aware of the significance of lower frequency bands for a mobile carrier in Nepal. After all, it is such an important spectrum for the telcos mobile service; especially 4G. However, it is also a concern for people as some phones may not be compliant with such bands. So, what is the issue and why the lower frequency band is important? So, let’s find that out in this article today.
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Low frequency band and its Importance
Firstly, lower frequency band is the band which operates under 1GHz. So, it is also being called as Sub 1GHz band these days. Telcos use these lower frequency bands for several technologies. Now that people want 4G network wherever they go, it has much more significance for 4G. However, the basic connectivity via 2G in such low band is also important.
We all know, Nepal has a complex topography, and the coverage of the mobile network is not easy as it is on the flat lands. Especially in the areas with hills, mountains, and gorges, mobile network coverage has always been a hassle for the operators. However, using low spectrum band for 4G in such areas ensures better connectivity. But how?
It is due to the special propagation characteristics of these low frequency bands that the signal reaches farther and deep. The mobile signal in such low bands is also less obstructed by the objects in the environment and can penetrate better through walls, vegetation, windows etc. So, you can get such low band signals in highways, rural areas, deep indoors including lift, basements etc.
In the figure below, you can see the lower the frequency band, higher the network coverage. So, you can find large network coverage with 800 MHz than that of 2600 MHz.
The lower frequency band enables the operator to manage the mobile coverage with lesser number of base stations/towers. It can also be put as the existing towers can provide maximum connectivity, help to achieve continuous coverage in the required areas for better mobility and quality of service.
To summarize, low band provides various advantages as:
- Better mobile network coverage
- Better quality of service
- Continuous connectivity without drops
- Reduce the cost with basic connectivity in large areas with lesser Base stations
- Helps to bridge the digital divide between rural and built-up areas
Disadvantage of low frequency bands
Having discussed the importance of the low bands, the disadvantage is that it has lower bandwidth as compared to higher frequency bands. So, the lower throughput or no of active users with such low band cell tower makes the network experience so so…, with such large coverage.
In fact, telcos use a combination of low and high/mid bands in multiple technologies to maintain the coverage and capacity. So, the bands are also called coverage bands and capacity bands.
Similarly, the telcos also enable carrier aggregation between these bands for better speed and can find 4G+ icon on your phone.
Find out: Meaning of several signs on your phone for mobile network
Which low bands are being used in Nepal and for which technology?
In Nepal (for Ntc, Ncell) or most of the world, 2G is being used in 900 MHz which is the most popular band for basic network coverage. However, Ncell is also using this band for 4G. Nepal Telecom operates 4G in another low band; 800 MHz. Before Nepal Telecom used 850 MHz band for CDMA technology, which has already been shut down and the frequency has been returned to NTA. Check out all the frequency bands used in Nepal for 2G, 3G, 4G technology.
There has been a prospect of using 700 MHz band for 4G and 5G. However, NTA is yet to open this band for 5G spectrum auction which is planned to happen anytime soon.
Ntc provides 4G network in both 800 MHz and 1800 MHz while Ncell has 4G network in tri bands: 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz.
Why low band support is important on your phone?
So, if it was not obvious enough, if your smartphone won’t support mobile network (2G to 4G) in rural areas/highways if it doesn’t support low frequency band. For city dwellers, it is not that much of a problem unless you are in a basement or deep indoors. But for the residents of rural areas, having this band on their phones becomes very important. As today’s age is all about the internet and when the world is already moving towards 5G advancements, the inability to use the 4G network in 2024 just pushes us more backward.
So, to use 4G or any mobile network in rural areas, you need to make sure that your phone supports such low bands (discussed above). Likewise, you also need to be aware while buying a new smartphone. You can find the process to check 4G, 5G band support on a phone.
