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Spectrum Management

Protecting a Vital, Limited Resource

Overview

Many Federal agencies use radio frequency spectrum to perform vital operations. NTIA manages the Federal government's use of spectrum, ensuring that America's domestic and international spectrum needs are met while making efficient use of this limited resource. NTIA carries out this responsibility with assistance and advice from the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee and by:

  • establishing and issuing policy regarding allocations and regulations governing the Federal spectrum use;
  • developing plans for the peacetime and wartime use of the spectrum;
  • preparing for, participating in, and implementing the results of international radio conferences;
  • assigning frequencies;
  • maintaining spectrum use databases;
  • reviewing Federal agencies' new telecommunications systems and certifying that spectrum will be available;
  • providing the technical engineering expertise needed to perform specific spectrum resources assessments and automated computer capabilities needed to carry out these investigations;
  • participating in all aspects of the Federal government's communications related emergency readiness activities; and
  • participating in Federal government telecommunications and automated information systems security activities.

Related content

Remarks of Associate Administrator Doug Kinkoph at the UTC Broadband Workshop

Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today. I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. At NTIA, most of our employees continue to telework, but we have maintained full continuity of our operations across our offices. NTIA, of course, has long recognized the importance of broadband. The Internet is an engine for innovation and growth and is critical to full participation in the 21st century economy.
Handbooks
Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (Redbook)

NTIA HANDBOOK 1 -- GUIDANCE AND PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A SPECTRUM CERTIFICATION
The policies and regulations presented in Chapter 10 of the Manual require that a spectrum certification be obtained under certain conditions. Federal agencies must comply with the provisions of Chapter 10, and they must follow the procedures in NTIA Handbook 1 – Guidance and Procedures for Obtaining a Spectrum Certification to obtain a spectrum certification for a federal telecommunications system that uses the spectrum.

NTIA Handbook 1 consists of two parts:

  1. General Guidance and Procedures; and
  2. Using the EL-CID software.

 

NTIA HANDBOOK 2 – FREQUENCY ASSIGNMENTS: OBTAINING, AMENDING, OR DELETING
Chapter 7 of the Manual contains the policies and regulations concerning frequency assignments. Federal agencies must comply with the entire Manual, more specifically with the provisions of Chapter 7, and they must follow the procedures in NTIA Handbook 2 – Guidance and Procedures for Frequency Assignments: Obtaining, Amending, or Deleting to obtain, amend, or delete a frequency assignment for a federal station.

NTIA Handbook 2 contains the following frequency-assignment action procedures:

  • Part 1 – General Guidance and Procedures
  • Part 2 – Unique Coordination Guidance and Procedures
  • Part 3 – Guidance and Procedures for Unique Spectrum Usage Conditions
  • Part 4 – Guidance and Procedures for Using Allotments and Allotment Plans
  • Part 5 – Guidance and Procedures for Using Frequency Plans
  • Part 6 – Guidance on Preparing Applications for Frequency Assignment Actions
  • Part 7 – Guidance on Using and Preparing Record Notes
  • Part 8 – Guidance on Using Federal Travelers Information Stations Operating on 1610 kHz

 

NTIA HANDBOOK 3 – INTERNATIONAL MATTERS
NTIA Handbook 3 contains information the following:

  1. U. S. participation in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
  2. U. S. participation in multi-nation regional telecommunications organizations.
  3. United States and Canada Agreement: Coordination and Use of Radio Frequencies Above 30 MHz
  4. United States and Mexico: Sharing and Coordination Agreements, Protocols, and Arrangements

 

NTIA HANDBOOK 4 – ENFORCEMENT AND INTERFERENCE REPORTING
NTIA Handbook 4 consolidates all of the procedural sections on enforcement and interference reporting that were in various chapters in previous editions of the Manual.

NTIA HANDBOOK 5 – SPECTRUM MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
NTIA Handbook 5 consolidates all of the procedural sections on spectrum measurement techniques that were in various chapters and annexes in previous editions of the Manual.

July 28, 2020
Topics
Spectrum Management
CSMAC
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