In New Zealand, 5G services are provided by several carriers using various frequency bands allocated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Hereโs an overview of the 5G frequency bands in use:
5G Frequency Bands in New Zealand
Low-Band (Sub-1 GHz)
- 700 MHz (n28): Offers extensive coverage with good penetration through buildings. Ideal for rural and suburban areas.
Mid-Band (1 GHz – 6 GHz)
- 1800 MHz (n3): Commonly used for both 4G and 5G, providing a balance between coverage and capacity.
- 2100 MHz (n1): Previously utilized for 3G/4G and now being repurposed for 5G.
- 2600 MHz (n7): Provides higher capacity and is suitable for urban areas with moderate coverage.
- 3500 MHz (n78): The primary 5G band in New Zealand, offering high capacity and decent coverage, ideal for urban environments.
High-Band (mmWave, above 24 GHz)
- 26 GHz (n258): Reserved for future deployment. It supports ultra-high speeds with limited range, ideal for dense urban zones.
Major Carriers and Their 5G Bands:
Spark
- 700 MHz (n28)
- 1800 MHz (n3)
- 2100 MHz (n1)
- 2600 MHz (n7)
- 3500 MHz (n78) Spark uses a combination of low, mid, and high-band frequencies to provide a broad range of 5G services across different areas.
Vodafone New Zealand
- 700 MHz (n28)
- 900 MHz (n8)
- 1800 MHz (n3)
- 2100 MHz (n1)
- 2600 MHz (n7)
- 3500 MHz (n78) Vodafone leverages multiple frequency bands to offer comprehensive 5G coverage, focusing on both rural and urban deployment.
2degrees
- 700 MHz (n28)
- 1800 MHz (n3)
- 2100 MHz (n1)
- 3500 MHz (n78) 2degrees focuses on using a blend of low and mid-band frequencies to deliver effective 5G coverage across its network.
Summary of 5G Bands by Carrier
- Spark: Extensive use of a wide range of frequencies, enabling broad and high-capacity 5G services.
- Vodafone NZ: Combines low and mid-band frequencies to ensure robust 5G coverage across diverse environments.
- 2degrees: Utilizes key frequency bands to balance coverage and performance effectively.
References
- Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) – Radio Spectrum
- Spark New Zealand – 5G Network
- Vodafone New Zealand – 5G Network
- 2degrees – 5G Information
These bands are essential for providing diverse and reliable 5G services across different geographical areas and user needs in New Zealand.