Introduction to the Radio Frequency Spectrum

The term "radio frequency spectrum" (or simply, "spectrum") describes a range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves used for communication and other purposes, such as radar. The radio spectrum is a part of everyone's daily lives, whether they think about it or not. It provides a basis for a wide and diverse range of services and industries, including broadcasting, cellular telephones, wireless Internet connections, paging, radar, navigation, air traffic control, microwave services, satellites, and even garage door openers. Spectrum is crucial to the work of police and fire departments, it is essential to air and ground transportation systems, and, as important as any of these, it is used by the military for everything from two-way radios to precision guided weapons to radars.

Spectrum management involves "allocation" and "assignment" of spectrum. An allocation describes use (e.g., broadcasting, fixed, mobile, etc.); allocations are made internationally and domestically. An assignment authorizes a person to use a discrete radio frequency channel under specified conditions.

Under the Communications Act of 1934, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licenses spectrum use within the United States by all parties except Federal Government agencies. NTIA, through its Office of Spectrum Management, assigns frequencies to Federal Government spectrum users under authority delegated from the President, through the Secretary of Commerce. Federal agencies are represented to NTIA through the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC), which advises NTIA. In addition, by statute, NTIA acts as the President's principal adviser on telecommunications policies generally, and must develop, in cooperation with the FCC, a long-range plan for management of the spectrum.

Internationally, the electromagnetic spectrum is allocated by member countries of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized United Nations agency, at World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs). The allocations are made to various radiocommunication services according to three different geographic regions of the world. Based on agreements reached at WRCs, which take place every three to four years, the ITU revises the International Radio Regulations. These include allocations and technical rules for radio services for each region.

The United States Department of Commerce, of which NTIA is a part, has a long history of involvement in radio regulation. Under the Radio Act of 1912, the Department of Commerce issued licenses for commercial radio use. The Radio Act of 1927 established the independent Radio Federal Commission and the basic structure of radio regulation that was carried into the Communications Act of 1934 and the Federal Communications Commission. For a more in-depth review of the roles of NTIA and the FCC, see U.S. Spectrum Management Policy: An Agenda for the Future (1991).

For more information contact:

Joe Gattuso, jgattuso@ntia.doc.gov

National Telecommunications and Information Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th St. & Constitution Ave., NW, Room 4725
Washington, D.C. 20230
Voice: (202) 482-1880 · Fax: (202) 482-6173