Available Spectrum · Millimeter Wave
Select Spectrum offers licensed spectrum in the 28 GHz UMFUS band. The 28 GHz frequency band was made available by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) via reallocation of the Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS) A Block sub-band channel, A1, which contained 850 MHz of spectrum between 27.500 and 28.350 GHz.
The 28 GHz band, and other millimeter wave (“mmWave”) frequency bands, such as 24 GHz and 37/39 GHz, will play a key role in 5G deployments under the UMFUS designation. Select Spectrum also offers licensed millimeter wave spectrum in the 29/31 GHz (LMDS) band — a separate allocation from the FCC’s earlier Local Multipoint Distribution Service licensing, providing up to 450 MHz for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint fixed wireless networks.
Select Spectrum currently offers 356 county-based 28 GHz licenses covering 217 county-level markets across 25 states and American Samoa — a combined population of approximately 5.9 million, with 131 markets carrying both the L1 and L2 blocks for the full 850 MHz of the band. Current availability is published in the 28 GHz Spectrum Summary (PDF) — please review it to learn more about the availability of this spectrum.
Browse our available licensed spectrum on an interactive map — searchable by band and market.
The 28 GHz band holds 850 MHz of spectrum between 27.500 and 28.350 GHz, reallocated by the FCC from the LMDS A Block sub-band channel, A1 — enough contiguous capacity to deliver multi-gigabit, fiber-class wireless links to homes, businesses, and industrial sites without trenching cable.
The 28 GHz band is written into the official 5G standard by 3GPP, the international body that defines how 5G networks and equipment work, under the millimeter wave category known as “Frequency Range 2” (FR2). In practice, that means mainstream 5G radios, chipsets, and devices support this band off the shelf — no custom or proprietary equipment is required.
The 28 GHz band, alongside other millimeter wave bands such as 24 GHz and 37/39 GHz, will play a key role in 5G deployments under the UMFUS designation.
Licensed under the FCC’s UMFUS designation, 28 GHz spectrum supports the industries and applications below.
Industries
Applications
Compatible standard: 5G New Radio (NR) — 3GPP standardized in the FR2 umbrella (bands n257/n261)
UMFUS stands for Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service — the FCC license designation under which 28 GHz millimeter wave spectrum is licensed.
The 28 GHz band contains 850 MHz of spectrum between 27.500 and 28.350 GHz. It was made available by the FCC via reallocation of the LMDS A Block sub-band channel, A1.
Yes. UMFUS bands are 3GPP standardized under the 5G NR guidelines, specifically in the FR2 umbrella that includes millimeter wave frequencies. In practical terms, 28 GHz is written into the official 5G specifications, so standard 5G equipment supports the band off the shelf.
The 28 GHz band, and other millimeter wave frequency bands such as 24 GHz and 37/39 GHz, will play a key role in 5G deployments under the UMFUS designation. Applications on this band include 5G, fixed wireless access, small cell, and smart city networks.
Either — licenses may be purchased or leased to match deployment plans. Contact Select Spectrum to discuss current availability and markets in the 28 GHz portfolio.
Current availability is published in the Spectrum Summary (PDF) and on Spectrum Search. You can also contact us for the latest availability.
Tell us the markets and capacity you need — your inquiry goes straight to our 28 GHz lead for availability and pricing detail.
Contact Select Spectrum
For availability details, pricing, and technical questions about the 28 GHz portfolio, please contact:
Andreas Bitzarakis
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