LTE Frequency Bands for U.S. and Canada Mobile Carriers
Posted on 4/9/2020 by Nicholas Jones
Wireless network providers all over the world use cellular frequency bands to deliver 4G LTE voice and data services to their customers. Because your mobile device is compatible with your carrier’s frequency bands, this technology enables you to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, and access the internet.
In this article, we’ve categorized LTE frequency band data by carrier to help you understand which bands are used by specific providers for 4G LTE service.
Note: this is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Some of the regional North American mobile carriers are not listed in the LTE band frequency tables below. However, we have included the U.S. and Canadian networks that cover the majority of mobile phone users. To clarify further, we’ve listed 4G LTE frequency bands only and did not include 3G or 5G frequency bands.
LTE bands explained
The frequency of radio waves carrying mobile communications is commonly expressed by a single number measured in megahertz (MHz). Using a single number to designate frequency, however, can be misleading, because it actually includes a range of numbers. For example, 700 MHz represents frequency bands 699 to 798 MHz.
What is LTE carrier aggregation?
The bands used by mobile carriers are numbered sequentially and represent “blocks” of a frequency range. A band can be shared by several carriers, or it may be assigned exclusively to one cellular carrier.
- For example, T-Mobile owns most of the LTE band 71 frequency in the U.S.
- T-Mobile and Dish own most of band B71.
- An example of a single carrier on a single band is Verizon, who owns almost all of B13 nationwide.
In addition, a frequency range may be comprised of multiple bands; for instance, 700 MHz includes LTE bands 12, 13, 17 (and more) used in the U.S. and Canada.
As you learn more about frequency bands, you may also wonder, What are the different LTE bands, and why does each carrier have more than one?
To adequately meet customers’ different needs, cell phone carriers have several bands from high to low frequencies. For example, AT&T offers a range of frequencies from 2300 MHz, which is designed for densely populated urban areas; to 700 MHz, which performs better over long distances in rural areas.
A variety of frequencies and bands are needed so each carrier can provide the best cellular coverage and capacity to all of their mobile subscribers throughout the nation.
Will my phone support another carrier’s 4G LTE frequency bands?
Each of the four major carriers, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, use different frequency bands for their networks. Your mobile phone must be compatible with at least one band for it to work on that particular 4G LTE network. Ideally, if you want reliable cell service everywhere you go, your device should support all LTE frequency bands assigned to that carrier.
If you’re considering switching your cell service, but don’t want to purchase a new device, you may be able to change carriers if your phone works on another network. For example, if your phone is “locked,” it contains a software code from your carrier that prevents it from being used on a rival carrier’s network. It’s also important to check device compatibility, which will indicate whether you may have service or coverage issues.
The major carriers offer a simple IMEI status check tool to determine whether your cellular device supports their frequencies. First, locate your phone’s unique, 15-digit IMEI number in your phone settings. Then enter it on the following carrier-specific pages to find out whether you can connect on their network.
*T-Mobile and Sprint have merged
You can also visit the manufacturer’s website and review your device specifications to check the LTE frequency bands your phone supports. Keep in mind, newer phone models are more likely to be compatible with all four major carriers’ frequency bands.
The following LTE band frequency charts indicate which bands are used by major U.S. and Canadian carriers:
LTE Frequency Bands – U.S.
AT&T LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
700 MHz Bands 12, 14, 17, 29, B71
850 MHz Band 5
1700 MHz Bands 4, 66
1900 MHz Band 2
2300 MHz Band 30
SPRINT LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
850 MHz Band 26
1900 MHz Band 25
2500 MHz Band 41
T-MOBILE LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
600 MHz Band 71
700 MHz Band 12
850 MHz Band 5
1700 MHz Bands 4, 66
1900 MHz Band 2
*Note that T-Mobile and Sprint have merged and will be combining bands soon on the 2500 MHz spectrum.
US CELLULAR LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
700 MHz Band 12
850 MHz Band 5
1700/2100 MHz Band 4
1900 MHz Band 2
VERIZON LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
700 MHz Band 13
850 MHz Band 5
1700/2100 MHz Bands 4, 66
1900 MHz Band 2
BOOST MOBILE LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
850 MHz Band 26
1900 MHz Band 25
2500 MHz Band 41
LTE Frequency Bands – Canada
BELL LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
700 MHz Bands 13, 17, 29
850 MHz Band 5
AWS Band 4
1900 MHz Band 2
2600 MHz Band 7
ROGERS WIRELESS LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
700 MHz Bands 12, 13
AWS Band 4
2600 MHz Band 7
TELUS LTE BANDS
Frequency Band
700 MHz Bands 13, 17, 29
850 MHz Band 5
AWS Band 4
1900 MHz Band 2
2600 MHz Band 7
If you are looking for a specific carrier that isn’t listed above, visit the LTE frequency bands page on Wikipedia where you can find the frequency bands of most carriers around the world. If your carrier is unable to support you with reliable cellular coverage, you may want to consider purchasing a weBoost cell phone signal booster.
What is a cell phone signal booster?
A cell phone signal booster is a device that improves voice and data signals from outside cell towers, so you can stay connected in locations where signal is poor. With a weBoost cell signal booster, you’ll benefit from:
- Enhanced signal strength and voice call quality
- Faster data upload and download speeds
- Fewer dropped calls and no-signal dead zones
- Improved video streaming capabilities
Whether you’re exploring an in-home or in-vehicle solution, weBoost’s affordable signal boosters work with all devices, networks, and carriers. Our boosters will ensure you always have a reliable cellular connection – even in remote and rural areas where signal is otherwise weak or nonexistent.
Shop weBoost products today to find the best signal booster for your unique needs.
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