5G NR Spectrum

Band n79 (4.7 GHz)

Q: Where is Band n79 deployed?

Band n79 is deployed primarily in Japan and China. Japan allocated 400 MHz (4500-4900 MHz) across four operators in 2019: NTT DoCoMo (4500-4600 MHz), KDDI (4600-4700 MHz), SoftBank (4700-4800 MHz), and Rakuten (4800-4900 MHz). China Mobile was assigned 4800-4900 MHz (100 MHz) as a supplemental 5G capacity band. Band n79 is not widely deployed outside these two countries because most other regions allocated sufficient 5G capacity at 3.5 GHz (n78). Some European countries are studying n79 for future capacity needs.

Q: How does 4.7 GHz propagation compare to 3.5 GHz?

At 4.7 GHz, free-space path loss is approximately 2.6 dB higher than at 3.5 GHz (20 × log(4700/3500) = 2.6 dB). This translates to roughly 25% less coverage area per cell. Building penetration loss at 4.7 GHz is also 2-4 dB higher than at 3.5 GHz. The practical impact is that n79 cells cover a smaller area than n78 cells, requiring more base stations for equivalent coverage density. However, the 600 MHz of available bandwidth and compatibility with massive MIMO provide excellent capacity per site.

Q: Why did Japan allocate 4.7 GHz for 5G?

Japan had limited 3.5 GHz spectrum available because much of the 3300-3800 MHz range was occupied by existing services (maritime radar, fixed satellite earth stations). Rather than undergo a lengthy spectrum clearing process, Japan supplemented its 3.5 GHz allocation (400 MHz at 3600-4100 MHz) with 400 MHz at 4.5-4.9 GHz. Combined, Japanese operators have up to 500 MHz of mid-band 5G spectrum, among the highest in the world. The dual-band approach also provides frequency diversity: operators can use n78 for coverage-oriented cells and n79 for capacity hotspots.

/band en-SEV-en-tee-nyne/

A 3GPP 5G NR TDD band spanning 4400 to 5000 MHz (600 MHz), allocated for 5G capacity in Japan and China. Japan allocated 400 MHz (4500 to 4900 MHz) across four operators, each receiving 100 MHz. China Mobile uses 4800 to 4900 MHz as supplemental 5G capacity. Band n79 provides additional capacity beyond n78 (3.5 GHz) with slightly shorter range due to 2.6 dB higher path loss, suitable for dense urban hotspot deployment.

Range: 4400 – 5000 MHz

Duplex: TDD

Primary: Japan, China

Understanding Band n79

Band n79 fills a specific market need: supplementary 5G capacity above C-band. While most of the world has sufficient mid-band spectrum at 3.3 to 3.8 GHz, Japan and China needed additional bandwidth due to high population density and aggressive 5G deployment targets. The 4.5 to 5.0 GHz range was available with fewer incumbent users, making it feasible to allocate without lengthy spectrum clearing.

At 4.7 GHz, propagation is 2.6 dB worse than at 3.5 GHz, translating to roughly 25% less coverage area per cell. This makes n79 better suited for high-density urban deployments (train stations, shopping districts, event venues) rather than macro coverage. Japanese operators use n79 as a capacity supplement to their n78 macro network, deploying n79 small cells in high-traffic areas where additional throughput is needed.

Band n79 Technical Parameters

Frequency Range: 4400 – 5000 MHz (600 MHz TDD)
Japan allocation: 4500 – 4900 MHz (400 MHz)
China Mobile: 4800 – 4900 MHz (100 MHz)

NR Configuration:
SCS: 30 kHz | Max channel BW: 100 MHz
Peak DL (100 MHz, 64T64R): ~2 Gbps

Path Loss Comparison:
vs. n78 (3.5 GHz): +2.6 dB (25% less area)
vs. n41 (2.5 GHz): +5.5 dB (45% less area)
vs. n77 (3.7 GHz): +2.1 dB

Japan 5G Mid-Band Allocation

Operator	n78 (3.5 GHz)	n79 (4.7 GHz)	Total Mid-Band
NTT DoCoMo	3600-3700 MHz (100)	4500-4600 MHz (100)	200 MHz
KDDI	3700-3800 MHz (100)	4600-4700 MHz (100)	200 MHz
SoftBank	3800-3900 MHz (100)	4700-4800 MHz (100)	200 MHz
Rakuten	3900-4000 MHz (100)	4800-4900 MHz (100)	200 MHz

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Band n79 deployed?

Primarily Japan (4500 to 4900 MHz, 400 MHz split among four operators at 100 MHz each) and China (China Mobile at 4800 to 4900 MHz). Not widely deployed elsewhere because most regions have sufficient capacity at 3.5 GHz (n78). Some European countries are studying n79 for future capacity needs.

How does 4.7 GHz propagation compare to 3.5 GHz?

Path loss is 2.6 dB higher at 4.7 GHz vs. 3.5 GHz, meaning ~25% less coverage area per cell. Building penetration is 2 to 4 dB worse. n79 is better suited for dense urban hotspots (stations, shopping districts) than macro coverage. Japanese operators use n79 small cells to supplement n78 macro networks.

Why did Japan allocate 4.7 GHz for 5G?

Much of Japan's 3.3 to 3.8 GHz range was occupied by existing services. Rather than lengthy clearing, Japan supplemented its 3.5 GHz allocation (400 MHz at 3.6 to 4.1 GHz) with 400 MHz at 4.5 to 4.9 GHz. Combined, Japanese operators have up to 500 MHz of mid-band 5G per country, among the highest globally.

Related Terms

← Band n78 (3.5 GHz) Band Combination →

5G Infrastructure

Waveguide for 5G Test Systems

RF Essentials manufactures precision terminations and waveguide assemblies for 5G NR base station test equipment and antenna measurement systems across all 5G frequency bands.

Request a Quote