Frequency allocation

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The electromagnetic spectrum is an aspect of the physical world, like land, water, and air. It is a resource, limited by its usability. Use of radio frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum is regulated by governments in most countries, in a process known as frequency allocation or spectrum allocation. Like weather and internationally traded goods, radio propagation and RF technology do not stop at national boundaries. Giving technical and economic reasons, governments have sought to harmonise spectrum allocation standards.

A number of forums and standards bodies work on standards for frequency allocation, including:

High-demand sections of the electromagnetic spectrum may sometimes be allocated through auctions.

The range of "radio frequencies" is a matter of international convention. At the international radio conference at Atlantic City in 1947, Hertzian (radio) waves were defined as electromagnetic waves of frequencies between 10 Kc/s and 3000000 Mc/s. The lower limit was dropped in subsequent international radio regulations. More recently there have been proposals to raise the upper limit.

As a matter of physics, many objects and actions generate low-level, wide-band radiation. The frequency allocation process traditionally has not been concerned with many types of radiation.