The August 2025 Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) report highlights spectrum auction and assignment activities across key frequency bands worldwide.
Credit: GSMA
The 600 MHz band is still in the early stage, with some countries like the US, Canada, Mexico, India, and Saudi Arabia having assigned or planned assignments, while others are consulting on options.
The 700 MHz band is more advanced, with widespread adoption across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia–Pacific, where many nations have already assigned spectrum for LTE and 5G, while others are restructuring or considering future use.
In the 1400–1500 MHz range, harmonisation decisions in CEPT and ASMG regions have increased interest, with several countries reserving spectrum for future assignments or trials.
The 2.1 GHz band remains widely used globally, with ongoing restructuring and fresh assignments for 4G and 5G. The 2300–2400 MHz and 2496–2690 MHz ranges are also heavily utilised, with assignments in most regions and auctions underway in some Asia–Pacific and African markets.
C-band (3300–4200 MHz) continues to be the backbone for 5G auctions, with extensive allocations, planned assignments, and consultations happening across all regions.
The 4400–5000 MHz range, identified at WRC-19, is emerging as an important mid-band spectrum, with several countries already assigning or consulting on auctions.
At the higher end, the 26–28 GHz millimetre-wave band has seen significant assignments and planned auctions across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, while many countries are still consulting or trialling usage.
Overall, the report shows strong global momentum in spectrum auctions and reallocations, driven by 5G expansion, with countries at different stages of planning, assigning, or restructuring spectrum across low, mid, and high frequency bands to support mobile broadband growth.
600 MHz band
The 600 MHz band, covering 617–652 MHz and 663–698 MHz, is at an early stage of adoption but is increasingly being considered for mobile services and IMT use worldwide. Some countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, have already assigned spectrum in this range, while others such as India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have planned or ongoing assignments. Several nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, Colombia, and New Zealand, are consulting or preparing for future allocations. The spectrum is valued for its wide coverage and ability to support 4G and 5G rollouts, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Although not yet widely deployed compared to other bands, momentum is growing globally as regulators and operators recognise its importance in expanding mobile broadband access.
700 MHz band
The 700 MHz band has become one of the most widely adopted low-frequency ranges for mobile broadband, playing a crucial role in LTE and 5G expansion. Many countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia–Pacific, and Africa have already assigned this spectrum for nationwide use, while others are in the process of restructuring existing allocations or preparing new auctions. Markets such as the United States, Canada, Brazil, India, China, and several European nations have completed assignments, whereas others like parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are still consulting on options or planning future releases. In some cases, the band is shared with other services or forms part of broader 800 MHz allocations. Overall, the 700 MHz spectrum is recognised globally for its strong coverage characteristics, making it particularly valuable for extending 4G and 5G networks into rural and hard-to-reach areas, and its availability continues to expand as regulators align with international harmonisation efforts.
1400–1500 MHz band
The 1400–1500 MHz band, covering 1427–1518 MHz, is gaining importance for mobile services, with global harmonisation efforts driving adoption. Sub-bands within this range have been identified for IMT use, and both CEPT and ASMG regions have agreed on harmonised use for mobile and fixed communications networks. Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, have already assigned spectrum in this range, while others such as Canada, Brazil, and Singapore have planned assignments or reserved blocks for future use. Some markets are still consulting on allocation options or using the spectrum temporarily for trials. Although deployment is less widespread compared to 700 MHz or 2.1 GHz, momentum is building as regulators and operators prepare to utilise the band to support additional 4G and 5G capacity, particularly for boosting mobile broadband performance in urban and suburban areas.
2.1 GHz band
The 2.1 GHz band, which includes bands 1, 34, 65, n1, n34 and n65, remains one of the most widely used globally for mobile services, supporting both LTE and 5G deployments. Many countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia–Pacific, and Africa have already assigned spectrum in this range, with several also undertaking restructuring or preparing new assignments to align with evolving technology needs. Nations such as the United States, Canada, China, India, Japan, and most of Europe have well-established usage of this band, while others are reserving portions for future allocation or assigning it to non-terrestrial networks. In a number of markets, regulators are planning reassignments or updating licence terms to make the band fully technology-neutral for 5G. Its balanced mix of coverage and capacity makes the 2.1 GHz range a cornerstone for mobile networks worldwide, ensuring continuity between legacy 3G services and advanced 4G and 5G deployments.
2300–2400 MHz band
The 2300–2400 MHz band is widely used for mobile broadband and continues to see expanding adoption for LTE and 5G. Many countries across Asia–Pacific, including China, India, Japan, and Australia, have already assigned spectrum in this range, while others such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are restructuring or planning new allocations. In Europe, usage is more limited, with some markets like the UK, Spain, and Sweden consulting on options or reserving spectrum for trials and local licensing. In the Middle East and Africa, countries including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Ghana have either assigned or are preparing assignments, while others remain at early consultation stages. In the Americas, Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Peru have made allocations, with additional markets planning or identifying the band for IMT. The band is valued for its capacity advantages and is often targeted for urban 4G and 5G deployments, with regulators increasingly aligning towards technology-neutral licensing and preparing further auctions to expand availability.
2496–2690 MHz band
The 2496–2690 MHz band is one of the most extensively used mid-band ranges for mobile broadband, supporting 4G, 5G, and in some cases legacy technologies such as WiMAX, BWA, and FWA. A large number of countries across Europe, Asia–Pacific, the Americas, and Africa have already assigned spectrum in this range, with several also restructuring existing allocations to make them 5G-suitable. Markets such as the United States, Canada, China, India, Japan, and much of Europe have active deployments, while others including parts of Africa and Southeast Asia are still in the process of consultations, new assignments, or ongoing auctions. In some countries, the band is shared among multiple users or set aside for local and private licensing. Its broad bandwidth makes it attractive for capacity-driven networks, and with many regulators moving toward technology-neutral licensing, the band is positioned as a key resource for expanding 5G services and enhancing mobile broadband performance worldwide.
C-band
The C-band, covering 3300–4200 MHz, has emerged as the most important mid-band spectrum for 5G, with widespread adoption across all regions. Many countries in Europe, Asia–Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East and Africa have already completed assignments, while others are running auctions, consultations, or preparing future allocations. Key markets including China, India, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Canada, and most of Europe have assigned substantial portions of this band for nationwide 5G services, while several others are reserving spectrum for local or private networks. Some regulators are still consulting on usage models, including shared access and indoor spectrum sharing, and in the US, part of the band is allocated for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS). The band is valued for offering the optimal balance of coverage and capacity, making it the backbone of global 5G deployments, and continued harmonisation efforts are driving momentum in auctions and reallocations
4400–5000 MHz band
The 4400–5000 MHz band is an emerging mid-band spectrum range for mobile services, increasingly identified for IMT use following WRC-19, where over 40 countries supported its allocation. A few nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, and Russia, have already assigned parts of this range, while others such as Brazil, the United States, several African states, and parts of Europe are planning or consulting on future assignments. Some countries have temporarily allocated portions for trials, while others are considering local or private licensing models. Momentum is building as regulators explore how best to integrate this band into national 5G strategies, with its wide bandwidth seen as a strong complement to the C-band in meeting growing data and capacity demands. Although still at an early stage compared to other mid-band frequencies, global interest is expanding rapidly, making it an important area for upcoming spectrum auctions and technology-neutral licensing.
26–28 GHz band
The 26–28 GHz band, a key millimetre-wave range for 5G, is seeing growing global adoption though at varied levels of progress. Several countries in Europe, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Finland, have already assigned spectrum, while others such as France and Poland are preparing or consulting on future allocations. In the Americas, the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico have completed assignments, while additional markets are planning auctions or holding consultations. Across Asia–Pacific, countries like Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, and India have allocated or are in the process of assigning spectrum, with others conducting trials or reserving it for local licensing. In the Middle East and Africa, markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, South Africa, and Nigeria are moving ahead with assignments, while many others remain at the consultation stage. The band is recognised for delivering ultra-high capacity and speed, especially in dense urban areas, and while deployments are not yet as widespread as mid-band 5G, its role is expanding as regulators seek to enable advanced use cases like fixed wireless access and industrial applications.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
