Verizon and 800MHz

[MrBungle]

Digging around, I found a couple of local Verizon towers in my area. They have current and valid FCC licenses. My question is, why in 2024 would the telco companies still be needing the 800MHz band? It's not like I'll hear any actual phone calls.

ULS License - Cellular License - KNKN586 - Cellco Partnership

 

[KevinC]

Digging around, I found a couple of local Verizon towers in my area. They have current and valid FCC licenses. My question is, why in 2024 would the telco companies still be needing the 800MHz band? It's not like I'll hear any actual phone calls.

ULS License - Cellular License - KNKN586 - Cellco Partnership

What does you not being able to listen have to do with 800 licenses?

Anyway, spectrum is spectrum and they use all they can.

 

[kf8yk]

why in 2024 would the telco companies still be needing the 800MHz band? It's not like I'll hear any actual phone calls.

800 MHz cell spectrum (Band 5 - 869-894 MHz) is some of the most valuable spectrum around forming the backbone of cell phone coverage in the US. With a mix of reasonable bandwidth and excellent range it's a favorite for rural & suburban sites.

 

[MrBungle]

What does you not being able to listen have to do with 800 licenses?

Anyway, spectrum is spectrum and they use all they can.

That was basically my question- it's spectum and if they have it, they should probably hang onto it. I have to realize the engineering that goes into these systems is intricate, and because I see something at 800MHz doesn't really mean anything.

 

[talviar]

Lots of activity on the 800 Cell freqs. When I check things with my spectrum analyzer looking at 869-894 MHz, its pretty much full of RF signals. Could be voice, could be data, could be anything. but still very active.

 

[ecps92]

Digging around, I found a couple of local Verizon towers in my area. They have current and valid FCC licenses. My question is, why in 2024 would the telco companies still be needing the 800MHz band? It's not like I'll hear any actual phone calls.

ULS License - Cellular License - KNKN586 - Cellco Partnership

Just because you can't hear phone calls, does not mean they are not using the spectrum

 

[davidgcet]

i work for a cell carrier and we use B5/n5 a lot, most of our sites have it and those that do also have at least a couple other bands as well. 850 band has great coverage and now that 3G is gone we repurposed those licenses to allow for bigger LTE/5G channels. Each band has an advantage, lower bands give wider coverage with somewhat lower throughput and capacity, while higher bands give higher throughput and capacity but with less range. so the key is to efficiently use a mix of bands on towers to get the best of all worlds.

 

[mmckenna]

850 band has great coverage and now that 3G is gone we repurposed those licenses to allow for bigger LTE/5G channels.

So, you're the no good, dirty, double dealing, lowdown scoundrel that made my 1995 Motorola analog bag phone no longer work!

No, but seriously, I watched them do this with our sites at work. A lot of those big Ericsson cabinets are still left behind and powered down with all the new hotness running in the 19" rack beside it.

And we thank you for that.