Wireless Spectrum

Nature

Limited resource

Definition

Full range of electromagnetic waves or frequencies used in cellular communications to transmit data, sound, and video

Classification

Often categorized into 3 layers or bands: low-, mid-, and high-band

Current Allocation Range

8.3 kHz to 275 GHz (in the US)

Measurement Units (Frequency)

GHz, MHz

Regulatory Body (US, Federal use)

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

Measurement Units (Speed/Bandwidth)

Megabits per second (Mbps), Gigabits per second (Gbps)

Regulatory Body (US, Non-Federal use)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The typical user of a cellphone or wireless internet service likely never thinks about the behind-the-scenes technology that enables us to make calls from our mobile devices or send text and picture messages. So what is behind the must-have technology in our pockets? Wireless spectrum. This refers to the full range of electromagnetic waves, or frequencies, used in cellular communications to transmit data, sound and video. It is the lifeblood of wireless connectivity and a resource that has a [...] When talking about spectrum used for wireless communication, we and the broader wireless industry often classify the range of frequencies into 3 layers or bands. This is commonly referred to as a 3-layer spectrum cake. Each layer or band has slightly different characteristics. Wireless spectrum uses varying units to measure different aspects of speed, like Megabits per second (Mbps) or Gigabits per second (Gbps). Wireless spectrum frequencies are measured in GHz and MHZ. GHz represents a very [...] UScellular’s spectrum is designed to meet the needs of customers by using all three layers of the spectrum cake, low-, mid- and high-band. With most of its customers located in rural America, UScellular takes the responsibility seriously to provide reliable, affordable connectivity for everyone no matter where they live.

The spectrum used for wireless communications is a limited resource. Any connection on a designated spectrum band has a set bandwidth, the maximum amount of data able to be transmitted over a connection in a given amount of time. Overusing a single spectrum band can interrupt or block critical signals. To avoid this, users must work in a coordinated system, typically run by a national or international regulator. Spectrum allocation, sometimes called frequency allocation, divides the [...] Wireless communications transmitted between devices are radiated in certain spectrum bands. A spectrum band is a range of EM frequencies defined by an upper and lower limit. Different frequency bands have different characteristics as determined by their wavelength and frequency, so wireless devices will communicate using different bands depending on the nature of the communication. [...] ### What is Spectrum? How Wireless Connections Work When technologists and regulators talk about “spectrum,” they refer to the electromagnetic spectrum, a physics term describing the full range of electromagnetic (EM) waves organized by frequency. These waves radiate through space at the speed of light, and technology can harness this energy at different wavelengths for various commercial uses.

Radio spectrum is a limited resource that is rapidly approaching its limits. Demand for commercial spectrum to support broadband wireless communications has led the government to consider repurposing various radio frequencies, including the satellite communications bands next to GPS. Image 7: Decorative image showing radio spectrum frequencies

The radio spectrum is the radio frequency (RF) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In the United States, regulatory responsibility for the radio spectrum is divided between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The FCC, which is an independent regulatory agency, administers spectrum for non-Federal use (_i.e._, state, local government, commercial, private internal business, and personal use) and the NTIA, [...] Consumer Enforcement Media Public Safety Space Wireless Wireline Offices Search X Search 1. Home 2. Engineering & Technology 3. Policy and Rules Division Radio Spectrum Allocation Engineering & Technology Table of Frequency Allocations Chart [...] Currently only frequency bands between 8.3 kHz and 275 GHz have been allocated (_i.e._, designated for use by one or more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or the radio astronomy service under specified conditions). OET maintains the FCC's Table of Frequency Allocations, which is a compilation of allocations. The FCC's Table of Frequency Allocations consists of the International Table of Frequency Allocations ("International Table") and the United States Table of Frequency