How does Band n48 compare to Band n77 C-band?

Band n48 (3550-3700 MHz) sits directly below the US C-band (3700-3980 MHz). Both are TDD mid-band 5G spectrum at similar frequencies with nearly identical propagation. The key differences are access model and power: C-band is licensed (Auction 107, $81B), while CBRS uses shared access (GAA free, PAL auctioned cheaply). C-band macro cells have 15+ dB more EIRP than CBRS Category A. However, for indoor private networks, n48 CBRS provides equivalent performance at a fraction of the spectrum cost.

5G NR Spectrum

Band n48 (5G NR, CBRS)

Q: How does CBRS enable private 5G?

CBRS enables private 5G networks because the GAA (General Authorized Access) tier requires no FCC license and no spectrum auction payments. Any organization can deploy 5G NR on Band n48 using certified equipment with SAS coordination. This is revolutionary: enterprises can build dedicated 5G networks in factories, warehouses, ports, hospitals, and campuses without purchasing spectrum. The PAL tier offers higher protection through 10 MHz channels acquired via auction for county-level geographic areas.

Q: What are the power limits for Band n48?

CBRS power limits are defined by device type. Category A (indoor): 24 dBm EIRP (small cells, enterprise APs). Category B (outdoor): 47 dBm EIRP (macro-like cells, requires SAS coordination and professional installation). These limits are significantly lower than traditional macro bands: C-band and n41 macro cells operate at 62-65 dBm EIRP. The Category B limit of 47 dBm is equivalent to approximately 50W EIRP, sufficient for 0.5-2 km cell radius depending on terrain and propagation conditions.

/band en-FOR-tee-ayt/ or /see-bee-ar-ess/

The 5G NR equivalent of LTE Band 48, spanning 3550 to 3700 MHz (150 MHz TDD). Uses the US CBRS three-tier spectrum sharing framework for private 5G networks, enterprise deployments, and carrier capacity augmentation. GAA (General Authorized Access) tier requires no FCC license, enabling any organization to deploy private 5G with SAS coordination. See also: CBRS detailed reference.

Range: 3550 – 3700 MHz

Duplex: TDD (150 MHz)

Access: Three-tier (SAS)

Understanding Band n48

Band n48 represents the democratization of 5G spectrum. Unlike traditional bands requiring billion-dollar auction wins, CBRS allows any enterprise to deploy private 5G using GAA access at zero spectrum cost. Factories, ports, hospitals, and universities can build dedicated networks optimized for their specific use cases: ultra-low latency for robotics, reliable coverage for IoT sensors, or high-bandwidth video surveillance.

The transition from LTE Band 48 to NR Band n48 unlocks 5G NR capabilities on CBRS: massive MIMO, network slicing, and ultra-reliable low latency. The 150 MHz allocation supports multiple 20 to 40 MHz NR carriers. Power limits remain the same as LTE CBRS (Category A: 24 dBm indoor, Category B: 47 dBm outdoor with SAS coordination).

Band n48 Technical Parameters

CBRS Three-Tier Framework:
Tier 1 (Incumbent): US Navy radar, priority protection
Tier 2 (PAL): Licensed 10 MHz channels, auctioned
Tier 3 (GAA): Unlicensed access, SAS coordinated

Power Limits:
Category A (indoor): 24 dBm EIRP (~250 mW)
Category B (outdoor): 47 dBm EIRP (~50W)
vs. C-band macro: 62–65 dBm EIRP

NR Configuration:
SCS: 30 kHz | Max channel: 40 MHz
Indoor range: 50–200 m | Cat B: 0.5–2 km

CBRS vs. Traditional Licensed Spectrum

Metric	n48 CBRS (GAA)	n48 CBRS (PAL)	n77 C-Band
License Cost	$0	~$1-5M per county	$81B (auction)
Max EIRP	24 dBm (Cat A)	47 dBm (Cat B)	62-65 dBm
Protection	None (opportunistic)	Interference protected	Exclusive license
Best For	Indoor private 5G	Campus networks	Macro carrier 5G

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does CBRS enable private 5G?

GAA tier requires no FCC license and no auction payments. Any organization deploys 5G NR using certified equipment with SAS coordination. Enterprises build dedicated networks in factories, warehouses, hospitals, and campuses without purchasing spectrum. PAL tier offers higher protection via auctioned 10 MHz channels.

What are the power limits for Band n48?

Category A (indoor): 24 dBm EIRP (~250 mW). Category B (outdoor): 47 dBm EIRP (~50W, requires SAS + professional install). Significantly lower than C-band macro (62 to 65 dBm). Cat B covers 0.5 to 2 km; Cat A covers 50 to 200 m indoor.

How does n48 compare to C-band?

Adjacent frequencies (3550 to 3700 vs. 3700 to 3980 MHz), nearly identical propagation. Key difference: access model and power. C-band is licensed ($81B auction); CBRS is shared (GAA free). C-band macro has 15+ dB more EIRP. For indoor private 5G, n48 provides equivalent performance at a fraction of cost.

Related Terms

← Band n41 Band n5 →

Private 5G

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