EBS Spectrum Band
Navigating the frequencies that power education
What is the EBS Spectrum Band Plan?
The EBS Spectrum Band Plan designates a specific portion of the radio frequency spectrum for the Educational Broadband Service (EBS). This dedicated band operates within the 2.5 GHz range, specifically between 2496 MHz and 2690 MHz. It is divided into channels for different purposes:
- 20 EBS channels: These channels support the wireless broadband needs of schools, colleges, and universities, providing them with dedicated bandwidth for educational purposes.
- 13 BRS channels: These channels are allocated for commercial Broadband Radio Service (BRS), separate from the EBS channels.
- Guard-band channels: These smaller channels are interspersed between certain EBS and BRS channels to prevent interference between them.
EBS stations are typically licensed in groups of four channels, categorized as A, B, C, D, and G groups. However, there are some exceptions:
- Legacy licenses: In some areas, licenses issued before 1983 may include channels from the E and F groups, which are considered grandfathered into the current EBS plan.
- Channel variations: Some EBS licenses might have fewer than four channels within a group, while others might encompass channels from multiple groups.
Explore the EBS Spectrum Band Plan
The EBS band plan is specified in 47 CFR § 27.5 (i) as follows:
Lower Band Segment (LBS) Channels
- BRS Channel 1: 2496– 502 MHz
- EBS Channel A1: 2502–2507.5 MHz
- EBS Channel A2: 2507.5–2513 MHz
- EBS Channel A3: 2513–2518.5 MHz
- EBS Channel B1: 2518.5–2524 MHz
- EBS Channel B2: 2524–2529.5 MHz
- EBS Channel B3: 2529.5–2535 MHz
- EBS Channel C1: 2535–2540.5 MHz
- EBS Channel C2: 2540.5–2546 MHz
- EBS Channel C3: 2546–2551.5 MHz
- EBS Channel D1: 2551.5–2557 MHz
- EBS Channel D2: 2557–2562.5 MHz
- EBS Channel D3: 2562.5–2568 MHz
Lower Band Segment (LBS) Channels
- EBS Channel JA1: 2568.00000–2568.33333 MHz
- EBS Channel JA2: 2568.33333–2568.66666 MHz
- EBS Channel JA3: 2568.66666–2569.00000 MHz
- EBS Channel JB1: 2569.00000–2569.33333 MHz
- EBS Channel JB2: 2569.33333–2569.66666 MHz
- EBS Channel JB3: 2569.66666–2570.00000 MHz
- EBS Channel JC1: 2570.00000–2570.33333 MHz
- EBS Channel JC2: 2570.33333–2570.66666 MHz
- EBS Channel JC3: 2570.66666–2571.00000 MHz
- EBS Channel JD1: 2571.00000–2571.33333 MHz
- EBS Channel JD2: 2571.33333–2571.66666 MHz
- EBS Channel JD3: 2571.66666–2572.00000 MHz
Middle Band Segment (MBS) Channels
- EBS Channel A4: 2572–2578 MHz
- EBS Channel B4: 2578–2584 MHz
- EBS Channel C4: 2584–2590 MHz
- EBS Channel D4: 2590–2596 MHz
- EBS Channel G4: 2596–2602 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel F4: 2602–2608 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel E4: 2608–2614 MHz
Guard-band “K” Channels
- BRS Channel KH1: 2614.00000–2614.33333 MHz
- BRS Channel KH2: 2614.33333–2614.66666 MHz
- BRS Channel KH3: 2614.66666–2615.00000 MHz
- EBS Channel KG1: 2615.00000–2615.33333 MHz
- EBS Channel KG2: 2615.33333–2615.66666 MHz
- EBS Channel KG3: 2615.66666–2616.00000 MHz
- BRS Channel KF1: 2616.00000–2616.33333 MHz
- BRS Channel KF2: 2616.33333–2616.66666 MHz
- BRS Channel KF3: 2616.66666–2617.00000 MHz
- BRS Channel KE1: 2617.00000–2617.33333 MHz
- BRS Channel KE2: 2617.33333–2617.66666 MHz
- BRS Channel KE3: 2617.66666–2618.00000 MHz
Upper Band Segment (UBS) Channels
- BRS Channel 2: 2618-2624 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel E1: 2624–2629.5 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel E2: 2629.5–2635 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel E3: 2635–2640.5 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel F1: 2640.5–2646 MHz
- BRS/EBS Channel F3: 2651.5–2657 MHz
- BRS Channel H1: 2657–2662.5 MHz
- BRS Channel H2: 2662.5–2668 MHz
- BRS Channel H3: 2668–2673.5 MHz
- EBS Channel G1: 2673.5–2679 MHz
- EBS Channel G2: 2679–2684.5 MHz
- EBS Channel G3: 2684.5–2690 MHz
The benefits of the EBS Spectrum Band Plan
The EBS Spectrum Band Plan offers numerous advantages that enhance connectivity, flexibility, and innovation in the educational landscape.
Dedicated educational broadband
With a portion of the radio frequency spectrum dedicated to educational use, schools, colleges, and universities have access to reliable and consistent wireless broadband, independent of fluctuations in commercial internet traffic.
Improved connectivity and access
By offering dedicated channels within a designated band, the EBS plan facilitates broader and more equitable access to high-speed internet for educational institutions, particularly in areas where traditional wired internet infrastructure might be limited.
Enhanced learning opportunities
The reliable and improved connectivity enabled by the EBS spectrum band empowers educators to leverage a wider range of technology tools and online resources, ultimately creating a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for students.
Spectrum efficiency
The designated EBS band promotes efficient utilization of the radio frequency spectrum. By segregating educational bands from commercial ones, the plan helps minimize interference while optimizing the overall spectrum usage for both educational and broader societal needs.
