7 MHz Brings Much Needed Flexibility to 5G NR

The evolution of channel bandwidths in 5G NR has been relatively conservative compared to earlier generations, but recent developments in 3GPP Release 19 show that this is beginning to change. The introduction of 7 MHz channel bandwidth in FR1 marks an important step towards addressing practical spectrum realities that many operators have faced since the early days of NR.

In the original 5G NR specifications, channel bandwidths were defined in regular steps of 5 MHz, such as 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz and so on. This design choice simplified implementation and aligned well with clean spectrum allocations. However, real world spectrum holdings are rarely so neat. Many operators hold fragmented or irregular chunks of spectrum, particularly in low bands where legacy allocations and refarming have resulted in non standard bandwidths.

This was not a new problem. LTE had already addressed this challenge by supporting a wider range of channel bandwidths including 1.4 MHz and 3 MHz, in addition to the more common 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz. Combined with carrier aggregation, LTE allowed operators to make efficient use of spectrum even when it was not aligned to neat multiples. When NR was introduced, this flexibility was initially reduced, creating a gap between specification and deployment reality.

Recognising this limitation, 3GPP introduced a 3 MHz channel bandwidth in Release 17 and continued refining spectrum flexibility in Release 18. The addition of 3 MHz was an important step, particularly for narrowband and coverage focused deployments, and it allowed combinations such as 8 MHz or 13 MHz to be better utilised through aggregation.

However, this still did not fully solve the problem. Operators continued to highlight the need to support other irregular bandwidths such as 6, 7, 11 and 12 MHz. These are not edge cases but reflect actual spectrum holdings in several bands. Release 19 addresses this directly by introducing native 7 MHz channel bandwidth.

The standardisation of 7 MHz focuses on FR1 operation, initially targeting bands such as n5 and n26. Rather than relying on workarounds such as overlapping channels or using the next larger bandwidth, this approach defines 7 MHz as a native channel bandwidth within NR. This avoids some of the practical issues associated with earlier approaches, including blocking from adjacent operators and compatibility challenges with legacy devices.

The work also includes a comprehensive set of requirements covering both core and performance aspects. These span RF requirements for user equipment and base stations, spectrum utilisation considerations, and the necessary signalling updates across the protocol stack. The effort is led by RAN4, with coordination from RAN2 and RAN3 to ensure seamless integration into the NR framework.

An interesting aspect of this development is the constraint to 15 kHz subcarrier spacing. This reflects the focus on low band and coverage scenarios where such numerology is most relevant. It also helps to limit complexity while still delivering the intended benefit of improved spectrum utilisation.

From a deployment perspective, the introduction of 7 MHz fills an important gap. While 3 MHz enabled some additional flexibility, it was not sufficient to address all irregular spectrum cases. With 7 MHz, operators gain a more practical option that aligns better with real spectrum allocations, especially in bands where 6 or 7 MHz chunks are common.

It is also worth noting that this is likely not the end of the story. Earlier study work identified several other irregular bandwidths that could be useful. The inclusion of 7 MHz in Release 19 can be seen as a pragmatic step, with the possibility of extending similar support to other bandwidths in future releases once the framework is established.

In many ways, this development reflects a broader trend in 5G and beyond. Early specifications tend to favour simplicity and clean design, but as deployments mature, practical considerations drive the need for greater flexibility. Spectrum is one of the most valuable assets for operators, and the ability to use it efficiently, regardless of how it is fragmented, is critical.

The addition of 3 MHz in earlier releases and the introduction of 7 MHz in Release 19 shows that NR is evolving in that direction. It is a reminder that standardisation is not just about defining ideal systems, but also about adapting to the realities of how networks are deployed and operated.

Ericsson’s blog provides a useful background on the introduction of 3 MHz bandwidth in Release 18, available here. Further technical details on the 7 MHz enhancement can be found in RP-251453, which describes the NR FR1 7 MHz channel bandwidth Work Item.

Related Posts: 

• The 3G4G Blog: 3GPP Release 19 Description and Summary of Work Items
• Free 6G Training: ATIS Webinar on 3GPP Release 20 and the Growing Shape of 6G
• Free 6G Training: ATIS Webinar on 'Introduction to 3GPP Release 19 and 6G Planning'
• The 3G4G Blog: 3GPP Release 18 Description and Summary of Work Items
• The 3G4G Blog: 3GPP Release 17 Description and Summary of Work Items
• The 3G4G Blog - Tutorial: A Quick Introduction to 3GPP 

3GPP Release 19 Description and Summary of Work Items

As the journey towards 3GPP Release 20 and 6G (3GPP Rel-21) continues to gather pace, the recently concluded Release 19 comes with a clearer view of what the next phase of 5G evolution, often referred to as 5G-Advanced, will look like in practice. One of the most useful artefacts in this process is the recently published technical report 3GPP TR 21.919, which offers a consolidated snapshot of the features and work items currently shaping this release.

Rather than focusing on detailed specifications, this report takes a step back and provides accessible summaries of the agreed work items. Each summary is intended to answer two simple but important questions: what problem is being addressed, and what impact the feature will have on the overall system. This makes the document particularly valuable not only for specialists deeply involved in standardisation work, but also for a broader audience trying to keep track of where the industry is heading.

It is worth noting that this is still very much a work in progress (50% complete). At the time of publication, just over 60 summaries have been included, with many more expected in future updates. Even so, the current version already highlights the sheer breadth of activity in Release 19, spanning everything from energy efficiency and non-terrestrial networks to AI, immersive services, and advanced radio capabilities.

In this post, I will not attempt to reinterpret or condense the summaries themselves. Instead, I am sharing the full list of topics covered in the report below, which provides a useful index into the areas that 3GPP worked on as part of Release 19.

It should be noted that the technical report (TR) presents the "initial state" of the Features introduced in Release 19, i.e. as they are by the time of publication of this document. Each Feature is subject to be later modified or enhanced, over several years, by the means of Change Requests (CRs). To further outline a feature at a given time, it is recommended to retrieve all the CRs which relate to the given Feature, as explained in its Reference section. 

Below is the list of all topics covered in this report. Some of the topics may be missing a summary, which will be added later in the later updates.  

5 Rel-19 Energy Efficiency, Energy Saving

5.1   Enhancements of Network energy savings for NR

5.2   Low-power wake-up signal and receiver for NR (LP-WUS/WUR)

5.3   Energy Efficiency as Service Criteria

6   Rel-19 Satellite (5GSAT), NTN, UAS, Aerial

6.1   Satellite access Phase 3

6.1.1   Security Aspects of 5G Satellite Access Phase 3

6.1.2   Charging aspects of satellite access Phase 3

6.2   Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for NR Phase 3

6.3   Enhancements for Air-to-ground network for NR

6.4   Inter-RAT mode mobility support from E-UTRAN TN to NR NTN

6.5   Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for Internet of Things (IoT) Phase 3 (for LTE)

6.6   Introduction of IoT-NTN TDD mode

6.7   Enhanced requirements and test methodology for NR NTN and IoT NTN

6.8   On-demand broadcast of GNSS assistance data

6.9   Uncrewed Aerial System Phase 3

6.10   Support for PWS in Satellite E-UTRAN and Satellite NG-RAN

6.11   Introduction of BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System) B2b Signal in A-GNSS for LTE and NR

6.12   Introduction of A-GNSS support for NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) L1 SPS (Standard Positioning Service) in NR & LTE

6.13   Management Aspects of Rel-18's NTN Phase 2

6.14   Lower Selection-priority for PLMN Selection

6.15   New LTE band for 5G broadcast for region 3 utilizing a geosynchronous satellite

6.16   Satellite band-related items

6.16.1   Introduction of Ku bands for NR NTN

6.16.2   Introduction of additional operating NR bands for HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station)

6.16.3   Introduction of another NR NTN S-band (MSS band 2000-2020 MHz UL and 2180-2200 MHz DL)

6.16.4   New NR NTN bands to support Extended L-band and combined MSS L-band and Extended L-band ranges

6.16.5   Introduction of another IoT-NTN S-band (MSS band 2000-2020 MHz UL and 2180-2200 MHz DL)

7   Rel-19 Internet of Things (IoT) and Reduced Capability (RedCap) UE

7.1   NR power class 2 RedCap (Reduced Capability) UE in FR1

7.2   NAS layer overhead reduction for data transfer using CP CIoT

7.3   Management Aspects of RedCap features

8   Ambient power-enabled Internet of Things (IoT)

8.1   Ambient power-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) (SA and CT)

8.1.1   Charging for Ambient power-enabled Internet of Things

8.1.2   Security Aspects of Ambient IoT Services in 5G for Isolated Private Networks

8.2   Solutions for Ambient IoT (Internet of Things) in NR

9   Rel-19 Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)

9.1   AI/ML Model Transfer Phase 2

9.2   Core Network Enhanced Support for Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)

9.3   Application enablement for AI/ML services

9.4   Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NR air interface

9.5   Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NR air interface

9.6   Enhancements for Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) for NG-RAN

9.7   AI/ML Management Phase 2

9.8   Protocol for AI Data Collection from UPF

10   Rel-19 Verticals and Non Public Network

10.1   Rel-19 Enhancements of 3GPP Northbound and Application Layer Interfaces and APIs

10.2   SEAL DD (Data Delivery) Phase 2

10.3   Common Application Programming Interface (API) Framework (CAPIF) Phase 3

10.4   Enhanced OAM for management service exposure to external consumers through CAPIF

10.5   Non-Public Network (NPN) security considerations

10.6   Security for PLMN hosting a NPN

10.7   Interconnect of SNPN

10.8   ProSe support in NPN

11   Rel-19 communications services

11.1   Media Messaging Enhancements

11.2   Terminal Audio quality performance and Test methods for Immersive Audio Services, Phase 2

11.3   EVS Codec Extension for Immersive Voice and Audio Services, Phase 2

11.4   5GMSG Service phase 3

11.5   Video Operating Points - Harmonization and Stereo MV-HEVC

11.6   Advanced Media Delivery

11.7   5G Real-time Transport Protocol Configurations, Phase 2

11.8   Next Generation Real time Communication services Phase 2

11.8.1   System architecture for Next Generation Real time Communication services Phase 2

11.8.2   Security support for the Next Generation Real Time Communication services Phase 2

11.8.3   Application enablement aspects for MMTel

12   Rel-19 XR (eXtended Reality), Augmented Reality (AR), Metaverse, Edge Computing

12.1   Localized Mobile Metaverse Services

12.2   Extended Reality and Media

12.3   XR (eXtended Reality) for NR Phase 3

12.4   Avatar Communications in AR Calls

12.5   Split rendering over IMS

12.6   Enhancement of support for Edge Computing in 5G Core network - Phase 3

12.7   Edge Computing for Industrial Scenarios

12.8   Edge Computing Considering the Operational Needs of Service Hosting Environment

12.9   Architecture for enabling Edge Applications Phase 3

13   Rel-19 High Power UEs (HPUE)

13.1   Rel-19 High power UE (power class 1.5 or 2) for NR intra-band CA or NR inter-band CA/DC band combinations with/without NR Supplementary Uplink (UL)

13.2   Rel-19 High power UE (power class 1.5 and 2) for NR FR1 TDD/FDD single band for handheld/FWA UEs, and high power UE operation (power class 1) for FWVM (fixed-wireless/vehicle-mounted) use cases in a single NR band

13.3   Introduction of Power Class 2 and UE 40MHz Channel Bandwidth in NR band n28

13.4   Rel-19 High power UE (power class 1.5 or 2) for DC combinations of LTE band(s) and NR band(s)

13.5   Rel-19 High power UE (power class 2) and high power operation (power class 1) for fixed-wireless/vehicle-mounted use cases in a single LTE band

14   Rel-19 RAN topology

14.1   5G NR Femto

14.2   Additional topological enhancements for NR

14.3   Vehicle Mounted Relays Phase 2

15   Rel-19 Sidelink, Proximity

15.1   NR sidelink multi-hop relay

15.2   UE-to-UE multi-hop relay

15.3   NR Sidelink: Intra-band Carrier Aggregation in ITS band

15.4   Charging Aspects of Ranging and Sidelink Positioning

15.5   Multi-path relay

15.6   Proximity-based Services in 5GS Phase 3

16   NR and LTE Dual Connectivity (DC)

16.1   UE RF enhancements for NR FR1/FR2 and EN-DC, Phase 4

16.2   Support of intra-band non-collocated EN-DC/NR-CA deployment Phase2: new receiver type(s)

16.3   Rel-19 downlink interruption for NR and EN-DC band combinations at dynamic Tx Switching in Uplink

16.4   Rel-19 DC of x LTE band(s), y NR band(s) (1<=x<6, 1<=y<6, x+y<=6) and single or two NR Supplementary Uplink (SUL) bands

16.5   Simultaneous Rx/Tx band combinations for NR CA/DC, NR SUL and LTE/NR DC in Rel-19

16.6   UE Conformance - Rel-19 NR CA and DC; and NR and LTE DC Configurations

17   Rel-19 Other NR and LTE Radio

17.1   Adding channel bandwidth(s) support to existing NR bands and CA/ENDC combinations in REL-19

17.2   Data collection for SON (Self-Organising Networks)/MDT (Minimization of Drive Tests) in NR standalone and MR-DC (Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity) Phase 4

18   Rel-19 NR Radio

18.1   NR mobility enhancements Phase 4

18.2   Evolution of NR duplex operation: Sub-band full duplex (SBFD)

18.3   NR Radio Resource Management (RRM) Phase 5

18.4   Multi-carrier enhancements for NR Phase 3

18.5   NR demodulation performance Phase 5

18.6   NR MIMO Phase 5

18.7   FR1 TRP, TRS and MIMO OTA testing enhancement Phase 3

18.8   Rel-19 NR CA/DC for x bands DL with y bands UL (x<7, y<3) and SUL/CA band combinations with a single SUL or two SUL cells

18.9   Low band carrier aggregation via switching

18.10  NR channel BW less than 5MHz for FR1 Phase 2

18.11  mmWave in NR: UE spurious emissions and EESS (Earth Exploration Satellite Service) protection

18.12  NR base station (BS) RF requirement evolution for FR1/FR2 and testing

18.13  UE Conformance - New Rel-19 NR licensed bands and extension of existing NR bands

18.14  Other band-related items

18.14.1   7MHz Channel Bandwidth for n26 and n5

18.14.2   Introduction of the NR FDD 1.4 GHz band

18.14.3   Introduction of NR bands n87 and n88

18.14.4   Introduction of NR band n68

18.14.5   Additional NR bands for NR features in Rel-19

18.15  Study on spatial channel model for demodulation performance requirements for NR

19   Rel-19 LTE Radio

19.1   LTE-based 5G Broadcast Phase 2

19.2   Rel-19 LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation for x bands (1<=x<= 6) DL with y bands (y=1, 2) UL

19.3   Band-related items

19.3.1   New bands for LTE based 5G terrestrial broadcast for early deployments

19.3.2   Introduction of LTE FDD band in 1800–1830 MHz for Canada

20   Rel-19 Mission Critical, eCall, Emergency

20.1   Enhanced Mission Critical Architecture

20.2   Enhanced Mission Critical Location Management

20.3   Alignment of eCall over IMS with CEN

20.4   UE Conformance - Alignment of eCall over IMS with CEN

20.5   Multiple Location Procedure for Emergency LCS Routing

20.6   Multimedia Priority Service (MPS) for Messaging services

20.7   Mission Critical (MC) services for generic support on Isolated Operation for Public Safety (IOPS) mode of operation

20.8   Sharing of administrative configuration between interconnected MC service systems

20.9   Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) Phase 5

20.10   Mission critical security enhancements for release 19

20.11   Protocol enhancements for Mission Critical Services

21   Rel-19 Network Slicing

21.1   Network Controlled Network Slice Selection

22   Rel-19 Service-Based Architecture (SBA)

22.1   UPF enhancement for Exposure And SBA Phase 2

22.2   Automatic Certificate Management Environment (ACME) for the Service Based Architecture (SBA)

22.3   Reducing Information Exposure over SBI

22.4   Service Based Interface Protocol Improvements Release 19

23   Rel-19 QoS and Policy

23.1   Rel-19 Enhancements of UE Policy

23.2   Rel-19 Enhancements of Session Management (SM) Policy

23.3   Minimize the Number of Policy Associations

23.4   Spending Limits for UE Policies in Roaming scenario

23.5   Enhancing Parameter Provisioning with static UE IP address and UP security policy

23.6   Providing per-subscriber VLAN instructions from UDM and DN-AAA

23.7   QoS monitoring enhancement

24   Rel-19 multi-access

24.1   Upper layer traffic steering and switching over dual 3GPP access

24.2   Multi-Access (ATSSS_Ph4)

24.3   ATSSS Rule Provisioning via 3GPP access connected to EPC

24.4   Local traffic routing for multi-access UE

25   Other topics

25.1   Deferred 5GC-MT-LR Procedure for Periodic Location Events based NRPPa Periodic Measurement Reports

25.2   Subscription control for reference time distribution in EPS

25.3   Rel-19 IMS:

25.3.1   PS Data Off for IMS Data Channel Service

25.3.2   IMS Disaster Prevention and Restoration Enhancement

25.3.3   IMS Stage-3 IETF Protocol Alignment

25.4   Identifying non-3GPP Devices Connecting behind a UE or 5G-RG

25.5   Integrated Sensing and Communication

25.6   Rel-19 Application Data Analytics Enablement Service

25.7   Interworking of Non-3GPP Digital Terrestrial Broadcast Networks with 5GS Multicast Broadcast Services

25.8   Minimization of Service Interruption During Core Network Failure Phase 2

25.9   Measurement Data Collection

25.10  Enhanced application layer support for location services

25.11  NF discovery and selection by target PLMN

25.12  MSISDN verification operation support to Nnef_UEId Service

25.13  Rel-19 Enhancements of Network Automation Enablers

25.14  Enhancement of controlling RAT utilization

25.15  CT Aspects for IP Domain usage

25.16  Indirect Network Sharing

25.17  Management of Network Sharing Phase 3

25.18  Roaming Value-Added Services

25.19  Monitoring of signalling traffic in 5G

25.20  Roaming traffic offloading via session breakout in HPLMN

25.21  Stage-3 5GS NAS protocol development 18

25.22  Stage-3 SAE Protocol Development

25.23  Harmonization of test case definitions for cross-RAT usability

25.24  Data management regarding subscriptions and reporting

25.25  PRU Usage Extension supported by Core Network

26   Rel-19 miscellaneous Security

26.1   Security Assurance Specification for maintenance of 5G features

26.2   5G Security Assurance Specification (SCAS) for the Unified Data Repository (UDR)

26.3   5G Security Assurance Specification (SCAS) for the Short Message Service Function (SMSF)

26.4   Addition of 256-bit security Algorithms

26.5   Addition of Milenage-256 algorithm

26.6   Roaming and interconnect authorization aspects in indirect communication

26.7   Public key distribution and Issuer claim verification of the Access Token

26.8   3GPP profiles for cryptographic algorithms and security protocols

26.9   Mobility over non-3GPP access to avoid full primary authentication

26.10  LI Handling of Protected Services

26.11  Lawful Interception Rel-19

26.12  Lawful Interception Guidance Rel-19

26.13  Specification of example algorithm for alternative f5* (f5**) function

27   Rel-19 miscellaneous OAM&charging

27.1   Charging aspects for Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) Network Sharing

27.2   Service Based Management Architecture enhancement phase 3

27.3   Management Data Analytics phase 3

27.4   Intent driven management services for mobile network phase 3

27.5   Management of planned configurations

27.6   Management aspects of Network Digital Twins

27.7   Closed Control Loop Management

27.8   Data management phase 2

27.9   5G performance measurements and KPIs phase 4

27.10  5G Advanced NRM features phase 3

27.11  Subscriber and Equipment Trace and QoE collection management

27.12  Management of IAB nodes

27.13  Enhancement of Management Aspects Related of NWDAF Phase 2

27.14  CHF Segmentation

27.15  Subscriber Data Migration

You can download the latest version of the specs from here.

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