Band n78 is one of the most widely deployed 5G frequency bands in the world. It operates in the 3.3 to 3.8 GHz range, part of what is known as the C-band or mid-band spectrum. This band strikes a perfect balance between coverage and capacity, making it a favorite for many mobile network operators.
Contents
📡 Band n78 Overview
- Band Name: n78
- Frequency Range: 3300 MHz to 3800 MHz
- Bandwidth: Up to 100 MHz per carrier
- Duplex Mode: TDD (Time Division Duplex)
- Global Availability: Widely used in Europe, Asia, and parts of the Americas
⚙️ Why Band n78 Is So Popular
Band n78 is part of the mid-band 5G spectrum, which offers:
- Faster speeds than low-band (e.g., n28 or n90)
- Wider coverage than high-band/mmWave (e.g., n260 or n261)
- Good indoor performance
- Ideal for urban and suburban deployments
Because of this balance, Band n78 is sometimes referred to as the “Goldilocks band” of 5G.
🌍 Countries and Carriers Using Band n78
Band n78 has been adopted in:
- 🇪🇺 Europe – Used by carriers like Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, and Telefonica
- 🇨🇳 China – Used by China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom
- 🇰🇷 South Korea – Carriers like SK Telecom and KT
- 🇮🇳 India – Jio and Airtel have licensed this band
- 🇯🇵 Japan – NTT Docomo and SoftBank
- 🇨🇦 Canada – Included in the C-band auction
📱 Devices That Support Band n78
Many 5G smartphones and routers support Band n78, including:
- iPhone 12 and newer
- Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer
- Google Pixel 5 and newer
- OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme 5G models
- 5G home/enterprise routers (e.g., Huawei, ZTE, Nokia)
Always check the full spec sheet to confirm band support.
📊 Technical Details of Band n78
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 3300 – 3800 MHz |
| Bandwidth (max) | Up to 100 MHz |
| Duplex Mode | TDD |
| Propagation | Moderate (urban/suburban) |
| Latency | Low |
✅ Advantages of Band n78
- ⚡ High data rates – supports gigabit-class speeds
- 🌐 Widespread adoption – making global roaming easier
- 🧱 Better indoor coverage than mmWave
- 🏙️ Great for dense urban deployments
❌ Limitations of Band n78
- 📉 Shorter range than low-band 5G like n28 or n90
- 🏞️ Less effective in rural areas unless densified
- 🧱 Can still struggle in concrete-heavy indoor environments
🧠 Final Thoughts
Band n78 is the workhorse of global 5G, delivering fast, reliable connectivity for most users. While it doesn’t travel as far as low-band signals or hit the ultra-high speeds of mmWave, it offers the best of both worlds and will likely remain a key band for 5G for many years.
If you’re buying a new phone or router and care about 5G performance, make sure Band n78 is on the spec sheet – it’s a must-have.