Frequency allocation - Definition and Overview

Since the electromagnetic spectrum is a limited resource, the use of its radio frequency bands is regulated by governments in most countries, in a process known as frequency allocation or spectrum allocation. Since radio propagation and RF technology markets do not stop at national boundaries, there are strong technical and economic incentives for governments to adopt harmonised spectrum allocation standards.

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

• ITU
• CEPT
• ETSI
• International Special Committee on Radio Interference

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

External links

• U.S. Frequency Allocation Chart (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.html) - Covering the range 3kHz-300GHz (from Department of Commerce)
• Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations (http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/vwapj/spectallocation.pdf/%24FILE/spectallocation.pdf) - From Industry Canada
• UK frequency allocation table (http://www.radio.gov.uk/topics/spectrum-strat/future/strat02/strategy02app_b.pdf) (from the Radiocommunications Agency, pdf format)
• Australian radiofrequency specrum allocations chart (http://www.aca.gov.au/radcomm/frequency_planning/spectrum_plan/arsp-wc.pdf) (from the Australian Communications Authority)