Frequency allocation

US frequency allocations chart, 2011

Use of radio frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum is regulated by governments in most countries, in a Spectrum management^[1] process known as frequency allocation or spectrum allocation. Radio propagation does not stop at national boundaries. Giving technical and economic reasons, governments have sought to harmonise the allocation of RF bands and their standardization.

Bodies

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

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT)
• Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL)

In order to improve harmonisation in spectrum utilisation, the majority of service-allocations stipulated in this document were incorporated in national Tables of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations which is with-in the responsibility of the appropriate national administration. The allocation might be primary, secondary, exclusive, and shared.

• primary allocation: is indicated by writing in capital letters (see example below)
• secondary allocation: is indicated by small letters
• exclusive or shared utilization: is within the responsibility of administrations

However, military usage, in bands where there is civil usage, will be in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations. In NATO countries military mobile utilizations will be in accordance with the NATO Joint Civ-il/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).

Example

Terminology

Frequency allocation is also a special term, used by national frequency assignment authorities. Other terms are:

See also

• Spectrum management
• Amateur radio frequency allocations
• Spectrum reallocation

References

External links

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• ITU Radio Regulations - Volume 1 (Article 5) international table of frequencies by ITU Region