5G spectrum — allocated and proposed — for each region of the globe is compiled in a recent report from the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). The report, Spectrum for 5G: Plans, Licences and Trials, also tallies the 5G trials around the world. Their data is as of the end of 2017.

5G Spectrum

According to GSA, 42 countries have allocated 5G spectrum, announced plans to auction spectrum or are determining spectrum to be used for 5G. Some countries have parallel initiatives, depending on the band.

In the U.S., a good example of the complexity finding sufficient spectrum to meet the anticipated 5G data demands, much of the focus has been on millimeter wave. To give the U.S. an early advantage, in July of 2016 the FCC allocated approximately 11 GHz of spectrum above 24 GHz, in various bands from 27.5 to 86.5 GHz. Last November (2017), the commission added 1.7 GHz in the 24 and 47 GHz bands for licensed mobile applications. In the traditional cellular bands below 6 GHz, it’s not as clear: while T-Mobile plans to deploy 5G on the 600 MHz spectrum it acquired in a 2017 auction, and Sprint will use its 2.5 GHz spectrum, the FCC is pondering additional spectrum, from 3.7 to 7.125 GHz.

With more clarity, perhaps, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has allocated 3.3 to 3.4, 3.4 to 3.6 and 4.8 to 5.0 GHz for 5G, with the 3.3 to 3.4 GHz band dedicated to indoor use.

In Europe, seven countries (Austria, Finland, France, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland) are planning 5G spectrum auctions between 2018 and 2020, and eight auctions are planned in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

5G Trials

GSA has identified 113 operators in 56 countries that have conducted or are planning to conduct 5G trials. The U.S. and Japan have been the most active countries, followed by China, South Korea, Italy, the U.K. and Germany.

The GSA report provides an excellent, albeit time sensitive, map to navigate the global deployment of 5G.

The proliferation of bands begs the question: how will they all fit in the phone?

Download the GSA report (registration required).