Regulators and network operators clear out older, less efficient cellular or broadcast technologies from a specific frequency band to make room for newer standards. This reallocation increases overall network capacity and data rates by squeezing more efficient waveforms into prime spectrum. It often requires migrating legacy users and shutting down older network cores.
We're refarming the 850 megahertz band to expand our LTE coverage, so expect some older handsets to drop down to fallback networks.
Operators usually execute this in phases, shrinking the bandwidth allocated to the legacy technology before a complete sunset.
Also heard as
- spectrum refarming
Related terms
Spectrum
The entire range of electromagnetic frequencies available for transmitting wireless communication signals.
Frequency band
A defined contiguous range of radio frequencies allocated for a specific purpose.
2G
The second generation of cellular network technology that introduced digital voice encryption.