Spectrum Landscape and Requirements for 5G: Spectrum Access Modes and Sharing

Scenarios
The success of 5G networks depends heavily on the availability and efficient use of the radio
spectrum. As 5G aims to deliver enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-
latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC), the
need for a flexible and diverse spectrum landscape is critical. This landscape encompasses
various frequency bands, access modes, and sharing mechanisms to ensure adequate capacity,
coverage, and performance across different use cases and environments.
1. 5G Spectrum Landscape
5G networks utilize a wide range of frequency bands, categorized into three main tiers based
on their characteristics:
• Low-Band Spectrum (Below 1 GHz): Low-band spectrum is crucial for wide-area
coverage and penetration into buildings and other obstacles. The low frequency allows
signals to travel over long distances, making it ideal for rural areas or places with
challenging terrain. However, it offers lower data rates compared to higher frequency
bands. Typical bands include the 600 MHz and 700 MHz ranges.
• Mid-Band Spectrum (1 GHz to 6 GHz): Mid-band spectrum, particularly in the 3.5
GHz to 4.2 GHz range, strikes a balance between coverage and capacity. It provides
faster data speeds than low-band frequencies while offering relatively broad coverage.
Mid-band is considered the backbone of 5G because it is capable of handling urban and
suburban environments effectively, making it suitable for most 5G applications,
including eMBB and URLLC.
• High-Band Spectrum (Above 24 GHz, also known as mmWave): High-band, or
millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum, provides ultra-high data rates and bandwidth,
supporting the densification of networks in urban areas. These frequencies, such as 26
GHz and 39 GHz, are capable of delivering multi-gigabit speeds but have limited range
and poor penetration through buildings. They are mainly deployed in dense urban areas,
stadiums, and airports where large numbers of devices need to connect simultaneously.
The 5G spectrum landscape also extends to new bands like the 6 GHz range, which is emerging
as an important player for future 5G expansions.
2. Spectrum Access Modes for 5G
To meet the demands of different 5G use cases, operators and governments have developed
various spectrum access modes. These include licensed, unlicensed, and shared access.
• Licensed Spectrum Access: Licensed spectrum remains the most common mode for
cellular networks, where operators acquire exclusive rights to use specific frequency
bands through auctions or government allocation. This ensures predictable performance
and control over the network. Licensed spectrum is critical for operators looking to
guarantee quality of service (QoS) for high-demand use cases like eMBB and URLLC.
Examples of licensed spectrum include low-band frequencies like 700 MHz or mid-
band like 3.5 GHz.
 • Unlicensed Spectrum Access: Unlicensed spectrum is freely available for anyone to
use, without the need for a license, as long as users follow certain rules to avoid
interference. In the 5G context, the 6 GHz band and mmWave bands are particularly
important for unlicensed use. Technologies such as Wi-Fi 6E and 5G NR-U (New
Radio-Unlicensed) will coexist and complement 5G services in these bands, supporting
applications like indoor high-speed broadband and IoT devices.
• Shared Spectrum Access: Shared spectrum access allows multiple users to share the
same frequency band under certain rules that minimize interference. This is especially
relevant for 5G, as the need for more spectrum grows. One example is the Citizens
Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) in the U.S., which enables shared use of the 3.5 GHz
band. The CBRS framework uses a tiered access system where licensed users have
priority, but other users can access the spectrum on an opportunistic basis, as long as
they do not cause interference to priority users.
3. Spectrum Sharing Scenarios in 5G
Spectrum sharing in 5G enables more efficient use of available spectrum, allowing multiple
operators or services to coexist in the same frequency band. This is essential for maximizing
spectrum utilization, especially in regions where exclusive licensed spectrum may be scarce or
underutilized.
Types of Spectrum Sharing Scenarios:
• Geographic Sharing: In this scenario, different operators or services can use the same
spectrum in different geographic areas. This is commonly applied in rural or less
populated areas where spectrum may not be fully utilized by primary license holders,
enabling other users to access it without causing interference.
• Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS): DSS is a technology that allows operators to
simultaneously use the same spectrum for both 4G LTE and 5G NR. This enables a
smooth transition from 4G to 5G without needing to clear existing bands for exclusive
5G use. DSS dynamically allocates resources between 4G and 5G users based on
demand, ensuring a gradual rollout of 5G while maintaining service for legacy
networks.
• Time-Based Sharing: Time-based spectrum sharing allows different services or
operators to use the same frequency band at different times. For example, some
spectrum can be reserved for government or military use during specific hours or
emergencies, while being available for commercial use at other times.
• Cooperative Sharing: In cooperative sharing, operators agree to share spectrum
resources in a coordinated manner to optimize performance. This could involve sharing
spectrum in a highly dense urban area to ensure that all operators have sufficient
capacity without wasting resources.
4. Challenges and Considerations in 5G Spectrum Management
The growing demand for spectrum in 5G brings several challenges:
• Interference Management: As more services and operators share spectrum, managing
interference becomes more complex, particularly in densely populated areas where
spectrum usage is heavy.
• Global Harmonization: Different countries may allocate spectrum bands differently,
creating fragmentation in global 5G deployments. Harmonizing spectrum usage
globally can reduce complexity and costs for device manufacturers and operators.
• Spectrum Availability: In some regions, there may not be enough spectrum available
for exclusive licensing, making shared spectrum access models essential for supporting
5G services.