Deutsche Telekom is now also putting 700 MHz frequencies into operation for 5G. They should become the backbone of a pure 5G network.
After Telefónica (O2) and Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom is now reporting that it has put its 700 MHz frequencies for 5G mobile communications into operation. Telekom wants to use this band exclusively for 5G, the spectrum is to form the backbone of its independent 5G network (5G standalone). Distributed across the Federal Republic, 1100 Telekom transmitter locations now transmit a 10 MHz wide signal from 768 to 770 MHz. Compatible end devices respond in the range from 713 to 723 MHz (band n28).
Compared to higher frequencies, the spectrum at 700 MHz scores with longer ranges and better penetration of walls, but results in lower capacity for data transmission. A network operator can therefore provide area coverage relatively inexpensively. 5G terminal devices and networks can set up connections via this basic service and then, if necessary, switch to higher frequencies for the transmission of larger amounts of data.
Bought before seven years
Telefónica, Vodafone and Telekom bought the German usage rights for 2×10 MHz each in the 700 MHz band back in 2015. The frequency auction at that time brought in five billion euros, of which around one billion euros went to the 700 MHz -Frequencies omitted. After the radio spectrum was switched from DVB-T to DVB-T2 HD by was released (2nd digital dividend), the Federal Network Agency released the 700 MHz in 2019 band released for mobile communications.
To date, Telekom has offered 5G mobile communications on frequencies around 2.1 GHz and 3.6 GHz. The middle band will be dynamically shared among 4G and 5G users (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, DSS). Until summer 2021, Deutsche Telekom was still transmitting UMTS in the 2.1 GHz band .
Telefónica (O2) takes a similar approach. This provider also dynamically splits the mid-band around 1.8 GHz between 4G and 5G devices, while using 700 MHz and 3.6 GHz for 5G standalone. Vodafone, on the other hand, uses Dynamic Spectrum Sharing in both the 1800 MHz and 700 MHz bands.
