Sub-6 GHz vs mmWave
Detailed technical comparison of Sub-6 GHz and mmWave across key performance metrics, technology specifications, and real-world capabilities.
| Parameter | Sub-6 GHz | mmWave |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 600 MHz – 6 GHz | 24–100 GHz |
| Speed | ~1–2 Gbps | ~10 Gbps ✓ |
| Range | Several km ✓ | ~200 m |
| Wall Penetration | Good ✓ | Very limited |
| Coverage Cost | Lower (fewer cells) ✓ | Very high (dense cells) |
| Bandwidth | 20–100 MHz | 100 MHz – 2 GHz ✓ |
| Latency | ~4 ms | ~1 ms ✓ |
| Deployment | Widespread global ✓ | Dense urban only |
| Rain Fade | Minimal ✓ | Significant |
| Capacity/Area | Moderate | Very high ✓ |
Visual Comparison
Relative performance across key metrics
Verdict
Sub-6 GHz provides the coverage backbone of 5G — wide range, good penetration, reliable everywhere. mmWave delivers extreme capacity for dense urban areas but struggles beyond line-of-sight. Most 5G users are on Sub-6.
Parameter-by-parameter
Who wins each metric, based on the specs above.
- Frequency — 'tie' (Sub-6 GHz: 600 MHz – 6 GHz · mmWave: 24–100 GHz)
- Speed — mmWave 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: ~1–2 Gbps · mmWave: ~10 Gbps)
- Range — Sub-6 GHz 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: Several km · mmWave: ~200 m)
- Wall Penetration — Sub-6 GHz 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: Good · mmWave: Very limited)
- Coverage Cost — Sub-6 GHz 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: Lower (fewer cells) · mmWave: Very high (dense cells))
- Bandwidth — mmWave 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: 20–100 MHz · mmWave: 100 MHz – 2 GHz)
- Latency — mmWave 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: ~4 ms · mmWave: ~1 ms)
- Deployment — Sub-6 GHz 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: Widespread global · mmWave: Dense urban only)
- Rain Fade — Sub-6 GHz 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: Minimal · mmWave: Significant)
- Capacity/Area — mmWave 'wins on' (Sub-6 GHz: Moderate · mmWave: Very high)
FAQ
Which is faster, Sub-6 GHz or mmWave?
mmWave leads on speed-related metrics in this comparison.
What is the main difference?
Sub-6 GHz provides the coverage backbone of 5G — wide range, good penetration, reliable everywhere. mmWave delivers extreme capacity for dense urban areas but struggles beyond line-of-sight. Most 5G users are on Sub-6.
Which should I choose today?
Sub-6 GHz wins 5 of 10 tracked parameters.