Work out spectrum efficiency instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Spectral efficiency in bits per second per hertz is the fundamental measure of how well spectrum is used: LTE achieves around 1.5 to 2 bps/Hz per sector in practice and 5G NR somewhat more. Because spectrum is finite, capacity growth comes mainly from reuse — more sectors and smaller cells — which is what the area capacity figure in Mbps per square kilometre captures.
Spectral and area efficiency
spectral efficiency = throughput / bandwidth; site throughput = per-sector x sectors; area capacity = site throughput / area served
The Shannon bound for the available signal-to-noise ratio. Real systems reach a fraction of it because of control overhead, imperfect channel estimation and interference from neighbouring cells.
Modulation gains are bounded by Shannon and by cell-edge SNR, while halving the cell radius roughly quadruples area capacity. Density is the only unbounded lever.