SpectrumWiki

Radio spectrum allocations

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Examples: 88.5 MHz, 1350–1430 MHz, 2.4 GHz

218.999999 MHz (218,999,999 Hz)

ITU Region 2 Allocations

216 – 220 MHz

FIXED

MARITIME MOBILE

Radiolocation 5.241

5.242

Footnotes

  • 5.233   Additional allocation: in China, the band 174-184 MHz is also allocated to the space research (space-to-Earth) and the space operation (space-to-Earth) services on a primary basis, subject to agreement obtained under No. 9.21. These services shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, existing or planned broadcasting stations.

  • 5.235   Additional allocation: in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland, the band 174 223 MHz is also allocated to the land mobile service on a primary basis. However, the stations of the land mobile service shall not cause harmful interference to, or claim protection from, broadcasting stations, existing or planned, in countries other than those listed in this footnote.

  • 5.237   Additional allocation: in Congo (Rep. of the), Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Chad, the band 174-223 MHz is also allocated to the fixed and mobile services on a secondary basis. (WRC 12)

  • 5.238   Additional allocation: in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Philippines, the band 200-216 MHz is also allocated to the aeronautical radionavigation service on a primary basis.

  • 5.240   Additional allocation: in China and India, the band 216-223 MHz is also allocated to the aeronautical radionavigation service on a primary basis and to the radiolocation service on a secondary basis.

  • 5.241   In Region 2, no new stations in the radiolocation service may be authorized in the band 216-225 MHz. Stations authorized prior to 1 January 1990 may continue to operate on a secondary basis.

  • 5.242   Additional allocation: in Canada and Mexico, the frequency band 216-220 MHz is also allocated to the land mobile service on a primary basis. (WRC-19)

  • 5.243   Additional allocation: in Somalia, the band 216-225 MHz is also allocated to the aeronautical radionavigation service on a primary basis, subject to not causing harmful interference to existing or planned broadcasting services in other countries.

  • 5.245   Additional allocation: in Japan, the band 222-223 MHz is also allocated to the aeronautical radionavigation service on a primary basis and to the radiolocation service on a secondary basis.

  • NG173  In the band 216-220 MHz, secondary telemetry operations are permitted subject to the requirements of 47 CFR 90.259. After January 1, 2002, no new assignments shall be authorized in the sub-band 216-217 MHz.

  • US210   In the bands 40.66-40.7 MHz and 216-220 MHz, frequencies may be authorized to Federal and non-Federal stations on a secondary basis for the tracking of, and telemetering of scientific data from, ocean buoys and wildlife. Operation in these bands is subject to the technical standards specified in: (a) Section 8.2.42 of the NTIA Manual for Federal use, or (b) 47 CFR 90.248 for non-Federal use. After January 1, 2002, no new assignments shall be authorized in the band 216-217 MHz.

  • US241   The following provision shall apply to Federal operations in the band 216-220.035 MHz:

        (a) Use of the fixed and land mobile services in the band 216-220 MHz and of the aeronautical mobile service in the sub-band 217-220 MHz is restricted to telemetry and associated telecommand operations. New stations in the fixed and land mobile services shall not be authorized in the sub-band 216-217 MHz.

        (b) The sub-band 216.965-216.995 MHz is also allocated to the Federal radiolocation service on a primary basis and the use of this allocation is restricted to the Air Force Space Surveillance System (AFSSS) radar system. AFSSS stations transmit on the frequency 216.98 MHz and other operations may be affected within: 1) 250 km of Lake Kickapoo (Archer City), TX (33° 2' 48'' N, 98° 45' 46'' W); and 2) 150 km of Gila River (Phoenix), AZ (33° 6' 32'' N, 112° 1' 45'' W) and Jordan Lake (Wetumpka), AL (32° 39' 33'' N, 86° 15' 52'' W). AFSSS reception shall be protected from harmful interference within 50 km of: 1) Elephant Butte, NM (33° 26' 35'' N, 106° 59' 50'' W); 2) Fort Stewart, GA (31° 58' 36'' N, 81° 30' 34'' W); 3) Hawkinsville, GA (32° 17' 20'' N, 83° 32' 10'' W); 4) Red River, AR (33° 19' 48'' N, 93° 33' 1'' W); 5) San Diego, CA (32° 34' 42'' N, 116° 58' 11'' W); and 6) Silver Lake, MS (33° 8' 42'' N, 91° 1' 16'' W).

        (c) The sub-band 219.965-220.035 MHz is also allocated to the Federal radiolocation service on a secondary basis and the use of this allocation is restricted to air-search radars onboard Coast Guard vessels.

Wiki entries

Positive Train Control

Current Use
217–222 MHz Positive Train Control (PTC)
According to the Federal Railroad Administration:

"In 2008, Congress required Class I Railroad mainlines handling poisonous-inhalation-hazard materials and any railroad main lines with regularly scheduled intercity and commuter rail passenger service to fully implement Positive Train Control by December 31, 2015. PTC uses communication-based/processor-based train control technology that provides a system capable of reliably and functionally preventing train-to-train collisions, overspeed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a main line switch in the wrong position.

"In late 2015, Congress extended the deadline by at least three years to December 31, 2018, with the possibility for two additional years if certain requirements are met. The new legislation, the PTC Enforcement and Implementation Act, required that railroads submit a revised PTC Implementation Plan (PTCIP) by January 26, 2016, outlining when and how the railroad would have a system fully installed and activated."

There are no formally-adopted standard frequency bands or designated frequencies for PTC, although frequencies in the ~220 MHz range are becoming the de facto standard. PTC may make use of channels belonging to various services spanning the 217-222 MHz range, including frequencies allotted for the 218-219 MHz Service (formerly the Interactive Video and Data Service (IVDS)) and the Automated Maritime Telecommunications System (AMTS). In fact, the challenge of obtaining sufficient spectrum is one of the reasons cited for delayed implementation of PTC.

218-219 MHz Service

Current Use
218.5–219 MHz 218-219 MHz Service B Block
According to the FCC (47 CFR 95.803), the 218–219 MHz Service is authorized for system licensees to provide communication service to subscribers in a specific service area. The components of each 218–219 MHz Service system are its administra- tive apparatus, its response transmitter units (RTUs), and one or more cell transmitter stations (CTSs). RTUs may be used in any location within the service area. CTSs provide service from a fixed point, and certain CTSs must be individually licensed as part of a 218– 219 MHz Service system.

218-219 MHz service licenses are generally issued on a geographic basis, covering 727 different Cellular Market Areas (CMAs). Two license blocks are available in each CMA.

CTS and fixed RTU stations are limited to 20 W ERP, and mobile RTU stations are limited to 4 W ERP.

The FCC auction of 218-219 MHz Service licenses was originally scheduled for December, 2010 (Auction 89), but was postponed. As of September 2016, the auction has not been rescheduled.

The 218-219 MHz Service was formerly known as the Interactive Video and Data Service (IVDS).