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Frequency allocation (orspectrum allocation) is the part ofspectrum management dealing with the designation and regulation of theelectromagnetic spectrum intofrequency bands, normally done by governments in most countries.[1] Becauseradio propagation does not stop at national boundaries, governments have sought to harmonise the allocation of RF bands and their standardization.
TheInternational Telecommunication Union defines frequency allocation as being of "a givenfrequency band for the purpose of its use by one or more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or theradio astronomy service under specified conditions".[2]
Frequency allocation is also a special term, used in nationalfrequency administration. Other terms are:
| Frequency distribution to: | ITU languages | ITU RR (article) | |||||
| French | English | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese | Russian | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radiocommunication services | attribution (attribuer) | allocation (to allocate) | atribución (atribuir) | 划分 | распределение (распределять) | 1.16 | |
| Regions or countries | allotissement (allotir) | allotment (to allot) | adjudicación (adjudicar) | 分配 | выделение (выделять) | 1.17 | |
| Radio stations | assignation (assigner) | assignment (to assign) | asignación (asignar) | 指配 | присвоение (присваивать) | 1.18 | |
Several bodies set standards for frequency allocation, including:
To improve harmonisation in spectrum utilisation, most service allocations are incorporated in national Tables of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations within the responsibility of the appropriate national administration. Allocations are:
Allocations of military usage will be in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations. In NATO countries, military mobile utilizations are made in accordance with theNATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).
Some of the bands listed (e.g., amateur 1.8–29.7 MHz) have gaps / are not continuous allocations.
| Source | Frequency (MHz) | Typical radiated power (kW) | Meters (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LongwaveBCB (EU) | 0.150–0.285 | 320 | |
| AMBCB (EU & J) | 0.525–1.605 | 500 | 630 |
| AMBCB (US) | 0.530–1.710 | 50 | |
| Amateur | 1.8–29.7 | 0.16 (mobile) | 15 |
| Citizens band | 26.9–27.4 | 0.004 | 12 |
| Amateur | 28–30 | 0.2 (mobile) | 10 |
| Land mobile | 29–54 | 0.1 | |
| Amateur | 50–54 | 0.2 (mobile) | 6 |
| TV low VHF | 54–88 | 100 | |
| Land mobile (EU) | 65–85 | 0.1 | |
| FMBCB (J) | 76–90 | 44 | |
| FMBCB (US & EU) | 88–108 | 105 | |
| Aircraft | 108–136 | 1 | |
| Land mobile (EU) | 120–160 | 0.1 | |
| Land mobile | 132–174 | 18–100 | |
| Land mobile (J) | 142–170 | ||
| Amateur | 144–148 | 0.2 (mobile) | 2 |
| TV high VHF | 174–216 | 316 | |
| Land mobile | 216–222 | 0.2 | |
| Amateur | 222–225 | 0.1 (mobile) | 1.25 |
| Land mobile (J) | 335–384 | ||
| Land mobile | 406–512 | 0.1 | |
| Land mobile (J) | 450–470 | .70 | |
| Amateur | 430–450 | 0.1 (mobile) | |
| TV UHF | 470–806 | 5000 | |
| Land mobile | 806–947 | 0.035 | .33 |
| Cellular AMPS | 806–947 | 0.003 | .33 |
| Amateur Land mobile GPS | 1200–1600 | .23 | |
| Cellular PCS | 1700–2000 | 0.003 | |
| ISM Bluetooth Wi-Fi | 2400–2500 | 0.0000025 |