Band 28 (700 MHz)
Understanding Band 28
Band 28 emerged from the global effort to harmonize 700 MHz spectrum for mobile broadband. The APT band plan consolidates the 703 to 803 MHz range into a single wide allocation with 45 MHz of paired spectrum, allowing wider carriers (up to 20 MHz) than the fragmented US approach (Bands 12, 13, 14, 17). This wider allocation provides more flexibility for network design and better peak throughput on each carrier.
At 700 MHz, radio waves propagate with exceptional efficiency: path loss is 9.5 dB lower than at 2100 MHz, building penetration is 10 to 15 dB better, and diffraction around terrain features is significantly improved. In Australia, Band 28 provides LTE service across vast rural and remote areas with cell radii exceeding 10 km in flat terrain. In dense urban environments, it serves as the indoor fallback layer when mid-band signals cannot penetrate deep into buildings.
Band 28 Technical Parameters
UL: 703 – 748 MHz (45 MHz)
DL: 758 – 803 MHz (45 MHz)
Duplex spacing: 55 MHz
Path Loss Advantage:
vs. 2100 MHz: 20 log(700/2100) = −9.5 dB
vs. 3500 MHz: 20 log(700/3500) = −14.0 dB
Building Penetration (residential):
700 MHz: 7–10 dB | 2100 MHz: 15–22 dB
Rural Cell Radius (flat terrain):
Band 28: 8–15 km | Band 1: 2–5 km
Global 700 MHz Band Plans
| Band | Plan | Paired BW | Regions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 28 | APT | 45 MHz | APAC, EU, LATAM | Active (growing) |
| Band 12 | US Lower 700 | 12 MHz | United States | Active (T-Mobile) |
| Band 13 | US Upper C | 12 MHz | United States | Active (Verizon) |
| Band 14 | FirstNet | 10 MHz | United States | Active (AT&T/FirstNet) |
| Band 71 | US 600 MHz | 35 MHz | US/Canada | Active (T-Mobile) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Band 28 deployed?
Extensively in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Europe is adopting it as the second digital dividend (700 MHz), with auctions completed in France, Germany, Italy, and Scandinavia. In Australia, Band 28 provides LTE across remote areas with cell radii exceeding 10 km in flat terrain.
How does Band 28 differ from US 700 MHz bands?
The US divided 700 MHz into narrow bands (12, 13, 14, 17) with different operators. Band 28 (APT plan) consolidates 703 to 803 MHz into a single 45 MHz paired allocation, allowing wider carriers (up to 20 MHz). Devices supporting Band 28 do not inherently support US Bands 12/13/17 due to different frequencies and duplex arrangements.
What makes 700 MHz ideal for coverage?
At 700 MHz, path loss is 9.5 dB lower than 2100 MHz. Building penetration is 7 to 10 dB versus 15 to 22 dB at 2100 MHz. Radio waves diffract more effectively around obstacles. These physics make 700 MHz ideal for blanket coverage and public safety. Band 28 enables LTE in remote areas and serves as the indoor fallback layer in cities.