mmWave
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Telecom
| Stands for | Millimeter wave |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
mmWave stands for Millimeter wave, a telecom abbreviation.
Radio frequencies roughly between 24 and 100 GHz, used by 5G for multi-gigabit speeds over short distances. Signals are easily blocked by walls, foliage and even hands, so coverage is limited to dense urban spots, stadiums and fixed wireless links.
Example: The stadium has mmWave 5G, so the speed test topped 2 Gbit/s near the field.
Usage notes
Strictly, millimeter waves span 30 to 300 GHz, with wavelengths of 1 to 10 mm, but the industry applies the term to all 5G bands above 24 GHz. Verizon built its early 5G service on mmWave before shifting focus to mid-band spectrum. Phones need special antenna modules to use it, and many models sold outside the United States omit mmWave support.
Related abbreviations
More telecom abbreviations
- LTE – Long Term Evolution
- LTE-A – LTE-Advanced
- LTE-M – LTE for machines (LTE Cat-M1)
- MCC – Mobile country code
- MIMO – Multiple-input multiple-output
- MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service
- MNO – Mobile network operator
- modem – Modulator-demodulator
- MSISDN – Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number
- MVNO – Mobile virtual network operator
- MWC – Mobile World Congress
- NB-IoT – Narrowband Internet of Things