--- markdown_generated_at: "2026-10-14" title: "Bringing the power of 5G to unlicensed spectrum globally." url: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/5g-unlicensed-shared-spectrum" description: "Qualcomm's 5G NR-U technology allows you to leverage the power of 5G in unlicensed spectrum globally with access to shared or standalone spectrum. Learn more." canonicalUrl: "https://www.qualcomm.com/research/5g/5g-unlicensed-shared-spectrum" --- # Bringing the power of 5G to unlicensed spectrum globally. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/5g-nru-topper?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha&wid=700) 5G NR-U is a major milestone in the journey Qualcomm embarked on to realize its vision for high-performance cellular networking in unlicensed spectrum. NR-U can advance private networks with the power of 5G and can alleviate spectrum constraints to deliver better 5G experiences. [Download the 5G NR-U presentation](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/how_nr-u_can_transform_what_5g_can_do_for_you_0.pdf) [Watch the webinar](https://players.brightcove.net/1414329538001/BJv5wEFt_default/index.html?videoId=6165038583001) ## Almost a decade of Qualcomm leadership in unlicensed spectrum. 5G NR-U is the first global cellular standard with both license-assisted and standalone use of unlicensed spectrum. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/world-map-70?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Unlicensed bands in the 5G NR-U roadmap. Release 16 begins with 5G NR-U in the 5 GHz unlicensed band. With new unlicensed 6 GHz spectrum now being available in the US and coming soon to other countries, the 5G NR-U standard is gearing up to support this band next, followed by the 60 GHz millimeter wave band which is being developed as part of Release 17. [Download the latest global spectrum status](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/messaging_presentation_-_4g_5g_spectrums_-_december_2020.pdf) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/unlicensed-graph-teal?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Anchored or Standalone NR-U Use anchored NR-U to combine unlicensed spectrum with licensed spectrum, i.e. licensed-assisted access, or shared spectrum such as CBRS to boost deployments for a better user experience with higher 5G speeds. Alternatively, deploy 5G private networks entirely with unlicensed spectrum using standalone NR-U. [Read the blog post](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2020/06/how-does-support-unlicensed-spectrum-nr-u-transform-what-5g-can-do-you) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/5g-nr-u-graphic?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Spectrum sharing provides critical benefits for 5G. Access to shared and unlicensed spectrum will extend 5G in multiple dimensions such as providing more capacity, higher spectrum utilization, and new deployment scenarios. It will benefit mobile operators with licensed spectrum, but also create opportunities for those without licensed spectrum to take advantage of 5G technologies. [Download the latest global spectrum status](https://www.qualcomm.com/content/dam/qcomm-martech/dm-assets/documents/messaging_presentation_-_4g_5g_spectrums_-_december_2020.pdf) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/5g-spectrum-side-icon?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## Spectrum sharing is valuable for a wide range of deployments. #### Licensed spectrum aggregation Enhanced mobile broadband with higher speeds and better user experiences. #### Enhanced local broadband Neutral host networks in venues and neighborhood networks. #### 5G private networks For local and customized industrial IoT and enterprise services. ## Qualcomm pioneered spectrum sharing technologies in LTE. From conducting the world’s first over-the-air LAA trial, to demonstrating fair co-existence with Wi-Fi, to being founding members of the MulteFire Alliance and the CBRS Alliance, our early R&D work on spectrum sharing has driven the industry forward. [Read about wireless innovation from LTE-U to 5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/03/lte-u-5g-spectrum-sharing) ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/icon-1-pioneered-spectrum-sharing?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### LTE-U / LAA Aggregating licensed and unlicensed spectrum for faster data rates. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/spectrum-sharing-05b-fb3-multefire?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### MulteFire Bringing new opportunities by operating solely in unlicensed spectrum. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/icon-2-pioneered-spectrum-sharing?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### CBRS and LSA Opening up spectrum still being used by existing incumbents through spectrum sharing. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/icon-3-pioneered-spectrum-sharing?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) #### LWA (LTE + Wi-Fi) Allowing mobile operators to fully manage carrier Wi-Fi resources through the LTE anchor. ## Making spectrum sharing a commercial reality to globalize Gigabit LTE. Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Gigabit LTE modems made LTE-U/LAA technology a commercial reality. And while it is possible to achieve Gigabit speeds with licensed spectrum, LAA reduces the amount of licensed spectrum needed to as little as 10 MHz—enabling more global operators to deliver Gigabit LTE services. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. ![](https://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/dmqualcommprod/snapdragon_chip_new_v2-1_0?$QC_Responsive$&fmt=png-alpha) ## The latest - OnQ Blog: [Developers: Riding the wave of 5G, a millimeter at a time](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2021/05/riding-wave-5g-millimeter-time) — May 3, 2021. Tags: [Developer](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Developer), [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [4G LTE](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=4G%20LTE) - OnQ Blog: [The future is now — C-V2X needs immediate access to 5.9 GHz Spectrum in the U.S. to improve roadway safety](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2020/10/future-now-c-v2x-needs-immediate-access-59-ghz-spectrum-us-improve-roadway) — Oct 29, 2020. Tags: [Cellular-V2X](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Cellular-V2X), [4G LTE](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=4G%20LTE), [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G) - OnQ Blog: [What key technology inventions will drive the 5G expansion?](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2020/07/what-key-technology-inventions-will-drive-5g-expansion) — Jul 2, 2020. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing), [Cellular-V2X](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Cellular-V2X) - OnQ Blog: [How does support for unlicensed spectrum with NR-U transform what 5G can do for you?](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2020/06/how-does-support-unlicensed-spectrum-nr-u-transform-what-5g-can-do-you) — Jun 10, 2020. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) - OnQ Blog: [The new 6 GHz band: An opportunity to enable 5G for new industrial IOT/private networks/vertical uses](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2019/05/new-6-ghz-band-opportunity-enable-5g-new-industrial-iotprivate-networksvertical) — May 19, 2019. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [MWC](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=MWC), [Internet of Things](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Internet%20of%20Things) - OnQ Blog: [Bringing 5G to Industrial IoT at the Hannover Messe [video]](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2019/04/bringing-5g-industrial-iot-hannover-messe) — Mar 31, 2019. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing), [Internet of Things](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Internet%20of%20Things) - OnQ Blog: [3GPP commits to 5G NR in unlicensed spectrum in its next release](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/12/3gpp-commits-5g-nr-unlicensed-spectrum-its-next-release) — Dec 12, 2018. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) - OnQ Blog: [Important bipartisan efforts on Capitol Hill to make more spectrum available for 5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/06/important-bipartisan-efforts-capitol-hill-make-more-spectrum-available-5g) — Jun 7, 2018. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) - OnQ Blog: [Wireless innovation — From LTE-U/LAA to 5G spectrum sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/03/lte-u-5g-spectrum-sharing) — Mar 28, 2018. Tags: [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing) - OnQ Blog: [Timely access to 3.6 GHz and 26 GHz spectrum is key to 5G’s success in Europe](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq/2018/03/timely-access-36-ghz-and-26-ghz-spectrum-key-5gs-success-europe) — Mar 18, 2018. Tags: [Spectrum Sharing](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Spectrum%20Sharing), [5G](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=5G), [Snapdragon](https://www.qualcomm.com/news/onq?tags=Snapdragon) ## Videos ## Documents to download | Document | Format | Date | |---|---|---| | New Business Opportunities for 5G NR | Download (PDF) | Nov 19, 2018 | | How CoMP can extend 5G NR to high capacity and ultra-reliable communications | Download (PDF) | Jul 16, 2018 | | Making the best use of unlicensed spectrum Presentation | Download (PDF) | Feb 24, 2015 | | PowerPoint Presentation | Download (PDF) | Mar 17, 2016 | | Wi-Fi/LTE-U Coexistence and the User Experience - SRG at CTIA 2015 | Download (PDF) | Sep 9, 2015 | | Whitepaper: Making the best use of unlicensed spectrum | Download (PDF) | May 19, 2015 | | The Prospect of LTE and Wi-Fi Sharing Unlicensed Spectrum - SRG Whitepaper | Download (PDF) | Feb 1, 2015 | ## Stay informed with our 5G and wireless technology newsletter. [Sign up now](https://assets.qualcomm.com/wireless-technology-newsletter-sign-up.html)