In 5G New Radio (NR), FR1 and FR2 are broad frequency ranges, while labels such as n1 and n78 identify specific operating bands within those ranges. The current consulted 3GPP Release 19 specification defines FR1 as 410–7125 MHz, and divides FR2 into FR2-1 (24250–52600 MHz) and FR2-2 (52600–71000 MHz). Those definitions describe the standard, not which frequencies a carrier has deployed or a phone supports.
What does “5G frequency band” mean?
“5G frequency bands” usually refers to the radio spectrum used by 5G NR, the radio technology specified by 3GPP. The term can mean either a broad frequency range, such as FR1, or a particular numbered NR operating band, such as n78. These are different levels of classification.
The Release 19 3GPP specification published by ETSI says, “NR is designed to operate in the operating bands defined in table 5.2-1 and 5.2-2.” The tables give each operating band its frequency limits and duplex mode. They do not describe a complete national spectrum allocation or confirm that a particular carrier or device uses that band. See 3GPP TS 138 104 V19.4.0, April 2026.
What are FR1 and FR2?
FR1 and FR2 are the specification’s broad frequency-range labels. In Release 19 TS 38.104, FR2 is divided into two sub-ranges; unless otherwise stated, a reference to FR2 applies to both.
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| 3GPP range | Frequency limits in Release 19 TS 38.104 |
|---|---|
| FR1 | 410–7125 MHz |
| FR2-1 | 24250–52600 MHz |
| FR2-2 | 52600–71000 MHz |
FR1 is sometimes loosely called “sub-6 GHz,” but the terms are not exact synonyms: the Release 19 definition of FR1 extends to 7125 MHz. Older or informal descriptions may use different shorthand or boundaries, so a standards range should be accompanied by its release.
How do NR band numbers work?
An NR operating band has a number prefixed with “n,” such as n1 or n78. Its entry specifies the uplink and downlink frequency limits and whether the band uses FDD or TDD. The table below shows examples from the Release 19 band table. These are standardized limits, not a carrier’s specific channel assignment.
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| NR band | Uplink | Downlink | Duplex mode | What it illustrates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n1 | 1920–1980 MHz | 2110–2170 MHz | FDD | Separate uplink and downlink ranges |
| n71 | 663–698 MHz | 617–652 MHz | FDD | An example of a lower-frequency NR band |
| n77 | 3300–4200 MHz | 3300–4200 MHz | TDD | A broad mid-band example |
| n78 | 3300–3800 MHz | 3300–3800 MHz | TDD | A narrower band within the often-cited 3.3–3.8 GHz range |
The Release 19 TS 38.104 band tables define these ranges and duplex modes.
FDD and TDD
With frequency-division duplexing (FDD), the band table assigns different frequency ranges to uplink and downlink, as in n1. With time-division duplexing (TDD), it lists the same frequency range for both directions, as in n78. The duplex label alone does not specify every detail of how a network schedules traffic.
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Do the band definitions tell you what 5G is available locally?
No. A standardized band entry tells you what frequencies and duplex mode the standard defines for that band. It does not tell you whether a particular country has allocated the spectrum, whether an operator has deployed it at your location, or whether your device supports it. Those questions require checking the local operator’s deployment and the exact device model’s supported bands.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do low-band, mid-band and mmWave mean?
Low-, mid- and high-band are useful broad descriptions, but they are not substitutes for the numbered NR band or FR designation. There is no single universal boundary for these journalistic groupings in the cited material, so a precise comparison should name the band and frequency range.
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The ITU says initial 5G bands in many countries were below 6 GHz, often around 3.3–3.8 GHz. It describes higher-frequency mmWave as offering more capacity over shorter distances, resulting in localized coverage. This is broad context, not a prediction of performance or availability for a specific carrier or address. ITU: 5G deployment.
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