Frequency allocation

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Allocation and regulation of the electromagnetic spectrum into radio frequency bands

title: "Frequency allocation" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["broadcast-engineering", "radio-resource-management", "radio-spectrum"] description: "Allocation and regulation of the electromagnetic spectrum into radio frequency bands" topic_path: "engineering" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_allocation" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Allocation and regulation of the electromagnetic spectrum into radio frequency bands ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/United_States_Frequency_Allocations_chart_-_September_2025.pdf" caption="US]] frequency allocations chart, 2025"] ::

Frequency allocation (or spectrum allocation) is the part of spectrum management dealing with the designation and regulation of the electromagnetic spectrum into frequency bands, normally done by governments in most countries. Because radio propagation does not stop at national boundaries, governments have sought to harmonise the allocation of RF bands and their standardization.

ITU definition

The International Telecommunication Union defines frequency allocation as being of "a given frequency band for the purpose of its use by one or more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or the radio astronomy service under specified conditions".

Frequency allocation is also a special term, used in national frequency administration. Other terms are:

::data[format=table title="ITU-terms pertaining to frequency regulation"] | 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) | | Radio stations | assignation (assigner) | assignment (to assign) | asignación (asignar) | | 指配 | присвоение (присваивать) | ::

Bodies

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:

primary
secondary
exclusive or shared utilization, within the responsibility of national administrations.

Allocations of military usage will be in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations. In NATO countries, military mobile utilizations are made in accordance with the NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).

Examples

Some of the bands listed (e.g., amateur 1.8–29.7 MHz) have gaps / are not continuous allocations.

::data[format=table title="Common frequencies {{cite web |url=http://www.fordemc.com/docs/download/EMC%20Design%20Guide%20for%20PCB.pdf |title=EMC Design Guide for PCB |publisher=Ford EMC |year=2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231210012443/http://www.fordemc.com/docs/download/EMC%20Design%20Guide%20for%20PCB.pdf |archive-date= 10 Dec 2023 }}"] | Source | Frequency (MHz) | Typical radiated power (kW) | Wavelength (meters) | |---|---|---|---| | Longwave BCB (EU) | 0.150–0.285 | 320 | | | AM BCB (EU & J) | 0.525–1.605 | 500 | 630 | | AM BCB (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 | | | FM BCB (J) | 76–90 | 44 | | | FM BCB (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 | | ::

BCB is an abbreviation for broadcast band, for commercial radio news and music broadcasts.

References

Haim, Mazar. (2008-08-01). "An Analysis of Regulatory Frameworks for Wireless Communications, Societal Concerns and Risk: The Case of Radio Frequency (RF) Allocation and Licensing". Middlesex University.
ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.16, definition: allocation (of a frequency band).
(2003). "EMC Design Guide for PCB". Ford EMC.

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