Global 4G/5G Frequency Bands by Country
Global 4G and 5G Frequency Bands: Country-Specific Allocations and 5G SA vs. NSA Differences
4G LTE Bands
| Country/Region | Common 4G Bands |
|---|---|
| USA | B2 (1900MHz), B4 (1700/2100MHz), B12 (700MHz), B66 (1700/2100MHz) |
| Europe | B3 (1800MHz), B7 (2600MHz), B20 (800MHz) |
| China | B1 (2100MHz), B3 (1800MHz), B38 (2600MHz), B41 (2500-2690MHz) |
| India | B3 (1800MHz), B5 (850MHz), B40 (2300MHz) |
| Japan | B1 (2100MHz), B19 (850MHz), B21 (1500MHz) |
| Australia | B3 (1800MHz), B7 (2600MHz), B28 (700MHz) |
5G NR Bands
| Country/Region | Common 5G Bands (Sub-6GHz) | mmWave Bands (High-Speed) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | n2 (1900MHz), n5 (850MHz), n41 (2500MHz), n66 (1700MHz) | n260 (39GHz), n261 (28GHz) |
| Europe | n1 (2100MHz), n3 (1800MHz), n28 (700MHz), n78 (3500MHz) | n257 (28GHz) |
| China | n41 (2500MHz), n78 (3500MHz), n79 (4700MHz) | – |
| Japan | n77 (3700MHz), n78 (3500MHz), n79 (4500MHz) | n257 (28GHz) |
| India | n78 (3500MHz), n258 (26GHz) | – |
(Note: mmWave is rare outside the US/Japan and requires specialized routers.)
5G SA vs. 5G NSA: Key Differences
| Feature | **5G Standalone (SA)** | **5G Non-Standalone (NSA)** |
|---|---|---|
| Core Network | Dedicated 5G network (no 4G dependency) | Uses existing 4G infrastructure |
| Latency | Ultra-low (1-10ms) | Higher (~20-30ms) |
| Speed | Faster and more stable | Limited by 4G backbone |
| Coverage | Requires new infrastructure | Wider (reuses 4G towers) |
| Use Cases | Autonomous vehicles, IoT, AR/VR | Basic 5G smartphones |
**Why It Matters for Routers:**
- SA-Compatible Routers are future-proof but may cost more.
- NSA-Compatible Routers work with most current networks but lack SA advantages.
- Always check your local carrier’s 5G mode (e.g., Verizon SA: n2/n5/n66, NSA: n260/n261).
FAQ for Customers
- **How to know my router’s supported bands?**
Check the product specs for “4G LTE Bands” or “5G NR Bands.” - **Why won’t my 5G router work abroad?**
Your router may lack the target country’s specific band (e.g., US n41 ≠ EU n78). - **Can I use an SA router on NSA networks?**
Yes, but SA features like network slicing won’t activate. - **How to confirm my carrier’s 5G mode?**
Contact your carrier or visit their website (e.g., AT&T SA: 2023 rollout; T-Mobile NSA: live since 2020).
Recommendations for Your Website
- Add a Band Check Tool (link to FrequencyCheck).https://www.frequencycheck.com/
- Highlight routers with multi-band support (e.g., “Global Version: B1/B3/B7/B20/B38/B40 + n1/n3/n28/n78”).
- Warn customers about region-locked devices (e.g., “US models may not work in China”).
This content is simplified for non-technical users while providing actionable advice. Let me know if you need technical sources (e.g., 3GPP