How The 700 MHZ Band (BC 28) Will Improve Both Smart and Globe's Internet Services

Last May 30, 2016, we heard about the news that SMC sold its telecommunications assets to both PLDT and Globe. This is including the highly coveted 700 MHZ band also called Band Class 28 (BC 28). Although this deal made it sure that we will not witness a third player in the Philippine Telco Industry which we always longed for, it is also great news on the other hand. Because at last, we, the Filipino consumers will get to use this frequency band that will absolutely improve our telecommunications experience.

We’ve heard many things about the advantages of this frequency band. But it also has its disadvantage. Nevertheless, that disadvantage is a worth trade-off for the benefits it can provide to users.

1. Better indoor penetration

Although we commonly use the term “penetration” to describe this advantage, the correct term is actually “diffraction”. Lower frequencies have the better capacity to pass through walls because of the electromagnetic wave characteristic called “diffraction”. The level of diffraction increases as the difference between the size of the gap and the wavelength of the signal increases. If the wavelength is far greater than the gap, then more diffraction occurs which means, more signal can pass through the gap.

 In higher frequencies, the wavelengths are less so it is less likely that it will be greater than a gap on a wall. Wavelength is calculated by dividing the Speed of light (3x108 m/s) over frequency (hz). A 700 MHZ frequency has a wavelength of .43 meter while an 1800 MHZ signal for example is only .125 meter. What this means to users is that even you are inside a building for example; you will still get good signal coverage.

2. Less Interference

The 700 MHZ band sits on the lowest part of the mobile telecommunications spectrum. The next band being used in the Philippines is the 850 MHZ band followed by 900 MHZ, 1800 MHZ, 1900 MHZ, 2100 MHZ and so on. As you can see, the next used band is 150 MHZ away from 700 MHZ unlike most of the other bands which only 50 to 100 MHZ apart from each other. Because there more gap between 700 MHZ and 850 MHZ, there is less probability they will interfere with each other. Less interference results to a more efficient transfer of data.

3. Wider coverage area

There are 2 major things that affect the distance traveled by a signal- attenuation and wavelength. According to physics, the lower the frequency, the less attenuation it gets while higher frequencies suffer more attenuation. Moreover, the lower the frequency the more likely it will diffract to any gap or obstacle meaning it will travel much further. In an ideal situation, the 700 MHZ band can reach more than 80 KMs away from the transmitting side. If we don’t consider the terrain and the weather conditions, a transmitting tower in Manila can reach as far as Nueva Ecija which is impossible with the other higher bands.

4. Lower cost

Of course, wider coverage means TELCO companies will no longer need to put up many cell sites. This lowers their infrastructure cost. Since, they will save money, let us all hope they will also let the consumers enjoy a discount.

5. Disadvantage

As I have said, there is one disadvantage of using this band. Lower frequency bands have lower data rate capacity unlike higher frequencies. Meaning they can transfer less data per second as compared to higher frequencies. Since they transfer less data, the higher frequencies are more suitable to be used in densely populated areas where the transmission of data is much more intense. The 700 MHZ band is more likely to be used in provinces and towns where there are less traffic than in Urban areas. 

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