5.388 The frequency bands 1 885-2 025 MHz and 2 110-2 200 MHz are intended for use, on a worldwide basis, by administrations wishing to implement International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT). Such use does not preclude the use of these frequency bands by other services to which they are allocated. The frequency bands should be made available for IMT in accordance with Resolution 212 (Rev.WRC 15)* (see also Resolution 223 (Rev.WRC 15)*). (WRC 15)
5.388A In Regions 1 and 3, the bands 1 885-1 980 MHz, 2 010-2 025 MHz and 2 110-2 170 MHz and, in Region 2, the bands 1 885-1 980 MHz and 2 110-2 160 MHz may be used by high altitude platform stations as base stations to provide International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT), in accordance with Resolution 221 (Rev.WRC 07). Their use by IMT applications using high altitude platform stations as base stations does not preclude the use of these bands by any station in the services to which they are allocated and does not establish priority in the Radio Regulations. (WRC-12)
5.388B In Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Nigeria, Oman, Uganda, Pakistan, Qatar, the Syrian Arab Republic, Senegal, Singapore, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe, for the purpose of protecting fixed and mobile services, including IMT mobile stations, in their territories from co channel interference, a high altitude platform station (HAPS) operating as an IMT base station in neighbouring countries, in the frequency bands referred to in No. 5.388A, shall not exceed a co-channel power flux-density of −127 dB(W/(m² · MHz)) at the Earth’s surface outside a country’s borders unless explicit agreement of the affected administration is provided at the time of the notification of HAPS. (WRC 19)
NG41  In the band 2120-2180 MHz, the following provisions shall apply to grandfathered stations in the fixed service:

  (a) In the sub-band 2160-2162 MHz, authorizations in the Broadband Radio Service (BRS) applied for after January 16, 1992 shall be granted on a secondary basis to Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). In the band 2150-2162 MHz, all other BRS stations shall operate on a primary basis until December 9, 2021, and may continue to operate on a secondary basis thereafter, unless said facility is relocated in accordance with 47 CFR 27.1250 through 27.1255.

  (b) In the sub-band 2160-2180 MHz, fixed stations authorized pursuant to 47 CFR part 101 may continue to operate on a secondary basis to AWS.

Wiki entries

Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1) Band

Current Use 2110–2155 MHz AWS-1 (base transmit)

The band 1710-1755 MHz (mobile transmit) is paired with 2110-2155 MHz (base transmit) to create the first band dedicated specifically for what the FCC calls Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). According to the Commission, AWS refers to 3G systems and beyond (also referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications 2000, or IMT-2000, by the ITU).

The 1710-1755 MHz band was created out of spectrum that was previously reserved for the federal government only. In 1995, it was identified as feasible for shared government/non-government use. In accordance with footnote US378, some government operations, in particular fixed and tactical radio systems near Cherry Point, NC, and Yuma, AZ, will continue to operate in this band on a primary basis.

The band 2110-2155 MHz was created from spectrum that had previously been used for fixed microwave links (2110-2150 MHz) and for the Multipoint Distribution Service (MDS) (2150-2155 MHz). The FCC declared these bands for use by AWS in 2002.

As of mid-2012, some operators in the U.S., such as T-Mobile, are using AWS-1 spectrum to provide 4G service (HSPA+ in the case of T-Mobile).

European Union 3G & 4G (LTE) Band

Current Use 2110–2170 MHz European Union 3G & 4G band

In November, 2012, the European Commission adopted new rules clearing the way for the frequency band 1920-1980 MHz, paired with 2110-2170 MHz, to be used for 4G (LTE) services, in addition to its existing designated use for 3G services.

High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)

Current Use 2110–2160 MHz HAPS service links for IMT in Regions 1, 2, & 3 (per 5.388A)

The ITU has identified various bands for use by High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), which are defined as "a station located on an object at an altitude of 20 to 50 km and at a specified, nominal, fixed point relative to the Earth."

One set of bands (47.2-47.5 and 47.9-48.2 GHz) is identified on a worldwide basis. The others apply regionally or in a subset of countries.

Although there was a flurry of activity related to HAPS beginning in the late 1990's, no HAPS systems were ever developed. As of 2015, there is renewed interest in HAPS for applications involving telecommunications from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

HAPS is declared as an application of the fixed service.

Standard LTE Bands

Current Use 2110–2170 MHz LTE band 10 FDD downlink 2110–2155 MHz LTE band 4 FDD downlink 2110–2170 MHz LTE band 1 FDD downlink

The following bands have been defined by 3GPP as standard LTE bands for Frequency Division Duplex (FDD, where mobile and base stations transmit in separate bands) and Time Division Duplex (TDD, where mobiles and bases transmit and receive on the same frequency). These bands are defined in 3GPP TS 36.101 (link below).

Note that bands 15 & 16 and 30-32 are not defined, and the FDD band 29 is used for downlink-only for carrier aggregation, so it has no corresponding uplink band.

Uplinks refer to the frequencies used for handsets and other user devices to transmit to the base station, and downlinks refer to frequencies used by base stations to transmit to the user devices.