5G: AN OVERVIEW FROM A SPECTRUM

PERSPECTIVE
Srinjoy Nag Chowdhury
ECE Department, Manipal University
Manipal, Karnataka, India
rahulsrinjoy@gmail.com

AbstractIn todays world a stage has come when the

need of being connected to the internet is roughly about 24
hours a day, 7 days a week so the need of high-speed
connectivity to the internet is amongst one of the primary
requirements that needs to be addressed.With a whole lot
of devices such as the smart phones,the tablets connected
to the network the forecasts state that a simple
incremental approach will not be enough to meet the
demands of the network will face by 2020. This need has
taken us from the seemingly perfect merger of IP based
& 3G evolution technologies to look for something bigger,
better and faster.Something which can help us realize the
dream of a real wireless world and this search has led us to
a vision of next generation technology and this pit stop of
the wireless telephony system has been given a generic
name of 5g or Fifth generation networks. Thus, this
picture of the 5g network that appears in front you not
only must amass in the basic parameters such as having
incredibly high carrier frequencies with colossal
bandwidths, extreme density of base stations and devices
but also needs to reach unparalleled levels of flexibility in
usage of the available spectrum. In this paper we review
the need of various choices of spectrum options for
5g.Then we take a look at the technological setups needed
for using those bands which further leads us to the
challenges faced, the promises, the proposed spectrum
regulation , its standardization and finally where India
stands
in
this
scenario.

wireless spectrum. Starting from the first generation which

used frequencies in the Megahertz range to Wi-Fi channels
which even use the frequency in the gigahertz range the
spectrum can be viewed as the life blood on which the whole
telecommunication set up lives on. Spectrum is a finite
resource like land. Mobile spectrum is extremely valuable
land and using it effectively also requires a lot of ingenuity.
With 1G the spectrum utilization was poor as it required large
gap of spectrum between users to avoid interference and it
supported only one user per channel.With the advent of 2G the
number of users per channel increased to numbers greater than
one and finally with 3G the utilization of the given spectrum
reached its maturity. While advancing to 4G better known as
the 4G LTE it was seen that it complemented 3G used both
paired and unpaired techniques (FDD & TDD) to enhance
coverage and data link capacity. At this stage when the world
is preparing for the next big paradigm shift in cellular
technology that is the next generation or the 5th Generation of
mobile networks how much of resource do we have left for it
to thrive on. This article attempts to summarize and overview
important questions like these and review the spectral needs of
this wireless technology which is already making headlines.
[1]

KeywordsBeamformers, BWA, CDMA, decoupling,

ETSI, EU, FCC, harmonization, IMT, ISM, ITU, LTE,
METIS, mmWave, phonebloks, single-RAN, spectrum,
spectral umbrella, TD-LTE, tele density, ultrabooks,
WRC.
I. INTRODUCTION
The TV broadcast we watch, the radio program we listen to,
the GPS device that helps us get us where we are going, and
the wireless phone service that we use to make phone calls -all use invisible airwaves to transmit bits of data through the
air. These invisible airwaves are nothing but radio waves
which are basically electromagnetic radiations ranging from
frequencies of 3 KHz to 300GHz which in turn constitute the

Figure 1: From 1G to 5G

II. 5G SPECTRAL NEEDS

Global wireless systems have largely confined there
operation to the relatively slim range of radio wave

frequencies ranging from several hundred MHz to a few GHz

which actuated in wavelengths ranging from centimeters to a
few meters. A time has come today where this spectrum
popularly known as the beach front spectrum hardly has any
vacancies left during peak times in peak markets.With all
these indications, one can clearly see that the only option that
is left for the technology to exist and thrive on is when we go
higher up in the frequency ranges. After careful observation
one realizes that there is one unexploited avenue in this field
still left and that avenue has frequency ranging from 30-300
GHz with wavelengths around 1-10 mm. One can even space
out plausible chunks of frequency in the 20-30 GHz range.
Many of the technologies being researched are inherently
better suited to being deployed in very high frequency bands
such as 15GHz, 28GHz, 60GHz and 70GHz. This spectrum
can better support the use of multiple, miniaturized antennas,
utilize more bandwidth that is available in these bands than
in the bands below 1GHz which is beneficial for providing
much wider channels and higher speeds as envisaged by 5G,
without the need for multiple antennas. However, millimeterwave bands do not lend themselves to providing wide area
coverage for mobile devices and coverage will be essential for
some envisaged 5G services, such as IOT applications such as
for the automotive industry. Therefore, further spectrum below
1GHz is expected to be needed in many countries to improve
mobile broadband coverage. So, we can see that the spectrum
needs for 5G might therefore encompass a range of existing
and new bands, which potentially span a wide section of radio
spectrum. Different bands will serve different purposes and a
key aspect of 5G will be to integrate the various approaches
and bands within a harmonized global framework. [1][5]

210MHz per
operator
maximum

3.43.8GHz
Up to 400MHz
either in a paired
or an unpaired
arrangement

Depending on
use by existing
services this band
could provide
substantially
more bandwidth
than bands below
1GHz (for
example,
100MHz and
above)

Channel sizes
likely to be
multiples of
20MHz, meaning
4 or more licenses
of 50100MHz
could be feasible
depending on the
available spectrum
in the band

5GHz
This band is being
considered at the
ITU World Radio
Conference in
2015 (WRC-15)
in total over
300MHz in new
spectrum could be
allocated

If agreed at WRC15, a contiguous

band from 5150 to
5925MHz would
be created using a
combination of
existing and new
spectrum

Channel sizes
likely based on
current Wi-Fi use,
in multiples of
20MHz, and the
band is likely to
remain as a
license-exempt
band in line with
current Wi-Fi

III. PLAUSIBLE BANDS FOR 5G SPECTRUM UTILIZATION

Band and
bandwidth
available

Merits

Spectrum
packaging/number
of licenses

700MHz
Varies in different
markets, from
around 230MHz
to 245MHz

Ideal for
providing wide
area coverage,
needed for
certain envisaged
applications (for
example, IOT)

Channel size likely

to be similar to
other mobile
bands in use
below 1GHz, for
example,
multiples of 5 or
10MHz, and
spectrum
packages will be
similar to other
bands below
1GHz, for
example, 3 or 4
licenses of

15GHz
Potentially over
500MHz
depending on the
sub-band used
and sharing with
existing uses

28GHz
Similar to the
15GHz band, for
example, over
500MHz
depending on the
sub-band used
and sharing with
existing uses

Very high speeds

are achievable
for example,
peak speeds of
5Gbps have been
demonstrated
already

Similar to the
15GHz band

6080GHz
Similar to the
Potentially up to
15GHz and
5GHz depending on 28GHz bands
the selected subband (for example,
7176MHz and/or
8186GHz)

Channel sizes
could be very wide,
for example,
multiples of
100MHz.
Depending on the
bandwidth
available, the band
could
accommodate
multiple operators,
with the
opportunity for
companies other
than established
mobile operators
to offer some 5G
services with an
assignment of
100MHz per
operator, or more,
depending on
national
availability and
sharing with
existing services

Similar to the
15GHz band

1. mmWave Propagation
Until now this spectrum remained unoccupied as it was
deemed inappropriate for mobile communications because of
antagonistic qualities including strong path loss, atmospheric
and rain absorption, low diffraction around obstacles,
penetration through objects, strong phase noise and outlandish
equipment costs. Nonetheless with the developments in
semiconductor technology all these insurmountable obstacles
are looking conquerable given time and effort.
2. Key Issues Under Investigation
1) Data rate: As millimeter waves lie in between frequency
ranges 30-300 GHz, they are able to harvest large continuous
chunks of spectrum with emerging mm-wave technologies for
ultra-high data rate wireless communication. The speeds may
range from few Gbps to few tens ofGbps.Although this is the
most important advantage of the millimeter wave spectrum,
still a definite problem remains in building of proper
transceiver structures which may be able to realize multigigabit data rates in practical deployments and in turn
alleviate power consumptions, cost and implementation
complexity problems in mm-wave communication.
2) Path loss: Usually when the electrical size of the antenna
is kept constant which is necessary for wireless
communication. The free space path loss between a transmit
and a receive antenna grows with center frequency squared
that is if one can increase the order of the frequency from 3 to
30GHz, it would add 20 dB of power loss regardless of the
transmit-receive distance. Thus, when we use Mm wave this
may pose a serious problem. However, after further study
itwas found that if both transmit and receive antenna apertures
are held constant, then the free space path loss decreases by
amount which is equal to center frequency squared. This
power gain would in turn help thwarting the higher noise
associated with broader signal bandwidths.
3) Obstruction: Millimeter wave signal display reduced
diffraction and better specular propagation than the others and
thus they are more vulnerable to obstructions.There is an
effective increase of about 40 dB/decade loss when the waves
hit obstacles and due to this kind of sensitivity the reliability
of the links may come under question.

Similar to the
15GHz and 28GHz
bands

IV. TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH TOWARDS MMWAVE

SPECTRUM

4) Weather: The effects of air and rain in higher order

magnitude frequency bands is very clearly visible that is the
15 dB/km oxygen absorption within the 60 GHz band gives a
clear indication of how much loss the system would have to
bear. However, in urban areas where the spacing between the
base stations approximates to near about 200-300 meters, this
absorption become inconsequential and it rather helps to
reduce interference thereby increasing the isolation of each
cell.
5) Narrow beam:Millimeter wave beams are highly
directional narrow beams which require new strategies to be

put in place; even the cell structure would change.Then if we

further move ahead the zone of detecting narrow beams for
both the user and the BS, it would be a very difficult problem
which needs serious research to be done.
6) Novel electronic architectures required:ADCs and
DACs still consume an extravagant amount of power for
operating on higher bandwidths.Large antenna arrays with
high receiver sensitivities are needed to deal with the path loss
but for such a setup one requires fully digital beamformers for
each respective antenna which seems hardly feasible. Thus,
one can realize that there is still much work that needs to be
done to be able to properly use the millimeter wave spectrum.
[6][22]
V. 5G SPECTRAL UMBRELLA
This is a theory which proceeds with the notion that any 2G,
3G and 4G spectrum will finally be used for 5G, that is, all
future spectrum licenses will allow for technology neutrality.
1. New Spectrum
All spectrum to be newly, probably to be somewhere
around the higher order frequency, used after 2020 will
likely be for 5G.
After the WRC-18/19, it is expected that further spectrum
becomes released for likely new 5G radio interface
acquisition, specifically for new 5G use cases.
2. LTE/4G Spectrum
LTE radios might get an additional interface towards the
5G cloud.
Spectrum used for LTE thus becomes used for 5G.
3. 2G/3G Spectrum
The 2G and 3G systems will initially stay separately with
basic interworking with 5G.
The Single-RAN concept enables smooth migration from
2G/3G to LTE at any time by re-using the existing Base
Stations Hardware and the spectrum for LTE and
therefore finally for 5G.

Figure 2: A model of spectrum umbrella

VI. SPECTRAL SCHEMES AND DISTRIBUTION

Due to the diverse need of devices, future systems will need
to integrate a broad range of frequencies, low frequencies for
extensive coverage, mobility support and control, and high
frequencies for smaller cells. Thus, this kind of complex
environment will require new approaches to spectrum policy
and the manner in which it is distributed. Usage efficiency of
the spectrum should also be considered as an important
landmark while putting down a spectral policy.
1. Restricted Licenses
These are licenses which can be bought by telecom
operators which in turn enables them exclusive access and full
management control. It allows for the owners to develop the
infrastructure which ensures a quality-of-service which helps
the service to become better. In case of 5G also the traditional
method of licensing that is licensing for exclusive use, through
auctions of cleared spectrum, remains the main option. There
is often a case in such licensing that the utilization of a
particular spectrum to a given party is hardly utilized to the
full capacity and as the allocations are done for huge spans of
time period like decades, it serves as a strong impediment
against its destined path. Generally, spectrum auctions are
being done so as to facilitate the process of allocating
spectrum.Though this is supposed to create an amass of digital
dividend but they are not hitting the right notes as the cost of
infrastructure still remains and the decoupling of spectrum and
infrastructure still remains a farfetched dream.
2. Unlicensed Spectrum
This is a spectrum as they say open access, that is, there is
no license required for using those bands. These bands include
industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) bands, which are
utilized by many devices including microwave ovens, medical
devices, sensor networks, Wi-Fi and what not. With the free
scale availability of these bands, that is, with pretty meagre
entry level barriers, innovation has been one of the trademarks

in these bands. The only major problem that these bands arrive
at are the quality of service that they promise to deliver cannot
be relied upon. Even Qualcomm with its 4G LTE has
beenadvocating the aggregation of unlicensed spectrum with a
solid anchor in licensed spectrum so as to give away to the
quality of service problem. At mmWave frequencies, the main
issue is signal strength rather than interference, and it is
therefore plausible that mmWave bands be unlicensed, or at a
minimum several licensees will share a given band under
certain new regulations. Thus, unlicensed spectrum has much
more to offer than what it had been offering till now.
3. Spectrum Sharing
It is a known fact that white spaces exist in spectrums and
for having a wireless technology like 5G exist the need of
using the available spectrum to the fullest possible limit is
necessary. This requires the famous quote of sharing & caring
going hand in hand to come to life that is spectrums should be
shared together. Presently there are two regulatory
frameworks, Authorized Shared Access and Licensed Shared
Access, that allow spectrum sharing by a limited number of
parties each having a license under certain afore agreed
conditions. Telecom operators agree on how the spectrum is to
be shared, seeking interference protection from each other,
thereby raising the quality of service of their services. Mobile
wireless has spanned across many technologies across several
bands and across different licensing models in order to allow
5G to exist. The aggregation of all the available spectrum
resources enables operators to increase overall network
capacity and to provide best possible experience to users.
[23][28]

would start maybe after the third release of LTE-Advanced

family of 4G standards. Spectrum standardization and
harmonization efforts for 5G have begun within the ITU. ITU
is inching closer towards agreeing on mmWave spectrum
allocations for 5G. Further, many national regulators like the
Federal Communications Committee (FCC) has carried out
extensive investigations on mmWave technology.Research is
under way on the feasibility of bands above 5-6 GHz which
include technical aspects such as channel modelling,
semiconductor readiness, coverage, mobility support, potential
deployment scenarios and coexistence with existing networks.
To be available for 5G, mmWave spectrum has to be
reshuffled by national regulators for mobile applications and
agreement
must
be
reached
in
ITU
World
Radiocommunication Conferences (WRC) on the global bands
for mmWave communications. These procedures are quite
painstaking and time consuming to say the least. Thus, there
are many hurdles to clear before the spectrum can indeed be
available. As of now, though it is unclear how such bands will
be allocated or even how they should be allocated, there is
strong sense that things will become clearer pretty soon.
[29][34]

Figure 4: IMT Vision

VIII. WITH RESPECT TO INDIA

Figure 3: Spectral allotment of a first world country

VII. 5G STANDARDIZATION STATUS

Projects such as METIS setup by the EU, the ITU, and all
other major wireless establishments are working towards
developing standards both for the spectrum and the
technology that is to be used to utilize it. In the ETSI meet for
future mobile summit in November 2013 it was decided upon
that the current LTE system would also be unable to meet the
challenges that would be imposed by 5G.Though the
standardization procedure has not yet been formally
developed yet one can estimate that with the current pace it

From its initiation in 1994, India has become the second

largest and fastest growing telecom market in the world in
terms of teledensity and the number of wireless connections.
The growth in the wireless sector contributes to about 96.64%
(867.80 million) of total phone connections. The telecom
service operate in range of 800 MHz (CDMA), 900
MHz/1800 MHz (GSM), 2.1 GHz (3G) and 2.3 GHz/2.5 GHz
(BWA) and with time it has been seen that though the 2G/3G
mobile services are running successfully in India, 4G services
are limited to few metro cities only, and further expansion of
4G services seems to be taking a longer time due to nonavailability of spectrum in the lower bands. The highly
fragmented spectrum holdings, high number of operators and
high level of activity offers a just environment for spectrum
trading in Indian telecom sector. So as far as 5G is concerned
its requirement of bands up in the frequency range adding
with Indias current standing in the TD-LTE standard, which
approximates to be in the 2.3-2.4GHz band, it may be
understood that in the present scenario there is little room for
new frequency bands or higher bandwidths in India. [35]

IX.CONCLUSION
In this paper we have surveyed the spectral needs of 5G
technology for mobile communications and have tried to find
out alternate novel solutions to the persisting problems that
exist. With the IMT 2020 vision and with different world
bodies slowly uncovering the solutions to the problems posed
by its conception, one can hope that strong principles would
be laid down in terms of spectral licensing, sharing and other
standardization procedures. Proper utilization of the spectrum
as an integration of different frequency bands and path
breaking developments in the usage of Mm wave spectrum
may not only help to realize this vision of 5G but also may
help to propagate this state of art wireless technology in
countries like India. Thus, 5G technology is such a frontier
which once if achieved would change modern day wireless
technology by quite a margin, and if compatible mobile
architectures to support this technology come up, then maybe
personal computers, laptops and even tablets may lose their
share in the market place.
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