Frequency Vary 3 (FR3) is positioned between sub-6 GHz and mmWave
In sum – what to know:
Not mmWave 2.0 – FR3 sits between sub-6 GHz and mmWave and is designed to increase mid-band capability upward with out a few of the similar components that restricted mmWave.
Launch 18 relevance – FR3 has entered the 5G-Superior roadmap as an evolutionary capability layer, shaping early 6G considering.
Deployment actuality – The band’s success will hinge on macro-site co-location, cautious cell planning, and practical expectations round indoor efficiency.
Because the trade’s consideration shifts in direction of 6G, renewed curiosity in higher-frequency spectrum is now not being pushed by millimeter wave. As an alternative, the main target has develop into the Frequency Vary 3 (FR3) — a band positioned between sub-6 GHz and mmWave that guarantees further capability with out forcing operators into ultra-dense community designs. Its options have already entered the 5G-Superior roadmap and are influencing early 6G considering. Understanding what this spectrum can — and can’t — ship is more and more necessary.
3GPP’s FR3 spans 7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz, sitting between FR1 (sub-6 GHz bands) and FR2 (millimeter wave, above 24 GHz). As such, FR3 is commonly described as “higher mid-band,” providing a stability of protection and capability that makes it a horny a part of the 5G-Superior roadmap and a possible part of future 6G methods.
Vish Nandlall, expertise strategist and former telecom methods engineer, mentioned FR3 represents a extra practical and foundational alternative for future networks than some higher-frequency bands presently into account, together with sub-terahertz spectrum: “Whereas costly to clear and public sale, FR3 is a vital evolution and has sturdy near-term business viability. Against this, sub-THz spectrum (above 90 GHz) is physics-limited: huge propagation loss, line-of-sight necessities, and immature {hardware} make it a distinct segment for backhaul or specialised enterprise makes use of, not mass-market broadband.”
Equally, in a chunk written for RCR, Jessy Cavazos, 6G options professional at Keysight Applied sciences, mentioned to count on a rise in protection‑parity trials for FR3 in 2026 from current C‑band websites, as this spectrum band overtakes Sub-THz, main the “sensible curve.”
Why it’s not mmWave 2.0
At first look, it would seem that FR3 is one thing like “mmWave-lite.” In observe, nevertheless, it behaves way more like mid-band spectrum than millimeter wave, significantly in the case of propagation traits and deployment economics. Whereas FR3 operates at greater frequencies than in the present day’s major 5G mid-band, it doesn’t exhibit the identical diploma of extreme path loss, poor constructing penetration, or blockage sensitivity which have constrained mmWave deployments.
Simply as importantly, FR3 is being studied with macro or macro-like cell deployments in thoughts, with an emphasis on reusing current website grids the place attainable. Against this, mmWave’s very restricted protection radius has pressured ultra-dense small-cell architectures, driving up website acquisition complexity, energy consumption, and general community prices. FR3’s attraction lies in avoiding that densification cliff whereas nonetheless extending usable mobile capability into greater frequencies.
In actual fact, based on Andreas Roessler, technical marketing consultant at BackITapp Consulting, operators take into account FR3’s capacity to co-locate with in the present day’s 5G macro base stations “an absolute requirement.” He wrote: “It’s the solely option to comprise capital expenditure whereas extending networks into the higher midband.”
He added, nevertheless, that this co-location requirement introduces technical challenges. “3GPP must make FR3 co-location a part of the baseline in 3GPP’s Launch 21, the primary normative set of 6G specs,” he cautioned.
Seemingly use instances — and the case for extra spectrum
Whereas 5G promised immersive prolonged actuality (XR), Roessler argued that present spectrum allocations are poorly suited to the uplink-intensive XR use instances anticipated within the 6G period, significantly at scale. FR3, he mentioned, is designed to supply the extra uplink capability these purposes would require: “FR3 will fill that hole.”
Past XR purposes, FR3 is anticipated to allow different high-capacity and cellular use instances, equivalent to industrial management, UAV connectivity, and dependable high-rate uplink for AI/edge purposes. Notably, these frequencies are additionally well-suited for non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), that are anticipated to play an important function in attaining ubiquitous 6G connectivity.
Early testing is already underway. In 2024, Qualcomm and Keysight Applied sciences demonstrated what they described as the trade’s first end-to-end interoperability and knowledge connection within the FR3 band. The trial used Keysight’s E7515P UXM 5G wi-fi check platform alongside a Qualcomm Applied sciences cellular check platform (MTP), a smartphone reference design used for validation and testing.
Extra not too long ago, SoftBank and Nokia examined FR3 in an outside 7 GHz band (7.125–8.4 GHz) subject trial. The trial in contrast protection and radio traits of the 7 GHz band with business 5G Sub-6 (3.9GHz) by co-locating 7 GHz pre-commercial base stations subsequent to current 5G base stations on constructing rooftops. The purpose was to judge whether or not huge MIMO might be used to ship contiguous outside protection throughout the encompassing space.
From a regulatory perspective, the 7 GHz band is now beneath research in ITU Areas 2 and three. In Area 1 (Europe, the Center East, and Africa), nevertheless, parts of the band have been excluded from consideration on account of NATO utilization.
Ultimately, FR3’s viability — and its capacity to keep away from mmWave’s deployment destiny — will depend upon cautious cell planning, antenna design, and practical expectations round indoor efficiency.
