From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The electromagnetic spectrum is an aspect of the physical world, like land, water, and air. 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:

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

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.

• Bandplan
• Cellular frequencies
• Amateur radio frequency allocations
• Radio Resource Management (RRM)
• U.S. Frequency Allocation chart

• Australian radiofrequency spectrum allocations chart (PDF file 139kb) (from the Australian Communications and Media Authority) On 1 July 2005, the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority merged to become the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
• Radio Frequency (RF) Allocations Table Chart to 30 MHz
• Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations (from Industry Canada)
• UK Frequency Allocation Table 2004 (from Ofcom, pdf format)
• US Frequency Allocation Chart - Covering the range 3 kHz to 300 GHz (from Department of Commerce)
• Galbi, Douglas (2002), Revolutionary Ideas for Radio Regulation," Section IV, Personal Freedom and Licensing.
• Electronic Frequency Allocation Table - Easy to query On-line version of the Region 1 and 3 ITU Tables.

This wireless-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.