U.S. Non-Federal-Government Allocations
Amateur
Amateur-satellite (space-to-Earth)
FCC rule parts
SpectrumWiki
Radio spectrum allocations
Look up a frequency or a range.
Examples: 88.5 MHz, 1350–1430 MHz, 2.4 GHz
5.83 GHz (5,830,000,000 Hz)
U.S. Federal Government Allocations
RADIOLOCATION G2
ITU Region 1 Allocations
FIXED-SATELLITE (Earth-to-space)
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
Amateur-satellite (space-to-Earth)
ITU Region 2 Allocations
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
Amateur-satellite (space-to-Earth)
ITU Region 3 Allocations
RADIOLOCATION
Amateur
Amateur-satellite (space-to-Earth)
Footnotes
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5.150 The following bands:
- 13 553-13 567 kHz (centre frequency 13 560 kHz),
- 26 957-27 283 kHz (centre frequency 27 120 kHz),
- 40.66-40.70 MHz (centre frequency 40.68 MHz),
- 902-928 MHz in Region 2 (centre frequency 915 MHz),
- 2 400-2 500 MHz (centre frequency 2 450 MHz),
- 5 725-5 875 MHz (centre frequency 5 800 MHz), and
- 24-24.25 GHz (centre frequency 24.125 GHz)
are also designated for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) applications. Radiocommunication services operating within these bands must accept harmful interference which may be caused by these applications. ISM equipment operating in these bands is subject to the provisions of No. 15.13.
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5.451 Additional allocation: in the United Kingdom, the band 5 470-5 850 MHz is also allocated to the land mobile service on a secondary basis. The power limits specified in Nos. 21.2, 21.3, 21.4 and 21.5 shall apply in the band 5 725-5 850 MHz.
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5.453 Additional allocation: in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, China, Congo (Rep. of the), Korea (Rep. of), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Uganda, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Dem. People’s Rep. of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Chad, Thailand, Togo, Viet Nam and Yemen, the frequency band 5 650-5 850 MHz is also allocated to the fixed and mobile services on a primary basis. In this case, the provisions of Resolution 229 (Rev.WRC-19) do not apply. In addition, in Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Dem. Rep. of the Congo, Fiji, Ghana, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, South Africa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the frequency band 5 725-5 850 MHz is allocated to the fixed service on a primary basis, and stations operating in the fixed service shall not cause harmful interference to and shall not claim protection from other primary services in the frequency band. (WRC 19)
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5.455 Additional allocation: in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, the Russian Federation, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine, the frequency band 5 670 5 850 MHz is also allocated to the fixed service on a primary basis. (WRC-19)
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G2 In the bands 216.965-216.995 MHz, 420-450 MHz (except as provided for in G129), 890-902 MHz, 928-942 MHz, 1300-1390 MHz, 2310-2390 MHz, 2417-2450 MHz, 2700-2900 MHz, 3300-3500 MHz, 5650-5925 MHz, and 9000-9200 MHz, use of the Federal radiolocation service is restricted to the military services.
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US245 In the bands 3600-3650 MHz (space-to-Earth), 4500-4800 MHz (space-to-Earth), and 5850-5925 MHz (Earth-to-space), the use of the non-Federal fixed-satellite service is limited to international inter-continental systems and is subject to case-by-case electromagnetic compatibility analysis. The FCC's policy for these bands is codified at 47 CFR 2.108.
Wiki entries
2019 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) Agenda Item 1.16
Proposed Use
5150–5925 MHz WRC-19 Agenda Item 1.16
1.16 to consider issues related to wireless access systems, including radio local area networks (WAS/RLAN), in the frequency bands between 5 150 MHz and 5 925 MHz, and take the appropriate regulatory actions, including additional spectrum allocations to the mobile service, in accordance with Resolution 239 [COM6/22] (WRC-15);
SPN-50(V)1 radar
Current Use
5400–5900 MHz SPN-50(V)1 radar
The SPN-50(V)1 radar, built by Saab, is planned to replace the existing SPN-43C air traffic control radar on U.S. Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The SPN-43C radar is capable of operating in the 3500-3700 MHz band.
Swathi Weapon Locating Radar (India)
Current Use
5400–5850 MHz Swathi Weapon Locating Radar
According to The Defense Post:
“Developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Swathi radar is 85 percent indigenous, relying heavily on India’s domestic supply chain.
“With a detection range of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles), the radar can identify and locate hostile artillery, enabling precise counter-strikes.”
The radar is manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
“Developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Swathi radar is 85 percent indigenous, relying heavily on India’s domestic supply chain.
“With a detection range of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles), the radar can identify and locate hostile artillery, enabling precise counter-strikes.”
The radar is manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
802.11/WLAN/Wi-Fi/WiGig
Current Use
5470–5895 MHz Wireless LANs (U-NII-2C, U-NII-3, U-NII-4)
Wireless LANS utilize various channels in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands (multiple countries), and (in theory) the 3.6 GHz band (U.S. only). For a list of which channels are available in which regions, refer to the Wikipedia article.
Wi-Fi is a trademark permitted for devices that are based upon a published standard of the IEEE 802.11 committee and that have been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi is presently incorporated in about three billion devices. Wireless cash registers were one of the earliest applications of what is now Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi devices operate on an unlicensed basis, generally meaning they cannot cause interference to licensed services, and must accept any interference caused to them. Wi-Fi shares bands with other unlicensed or ISM devices, such as cordless phones at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz and microwave ovens at 2.4 GHz.
Some of the key patents related to Wi-Fi are credited (in the courts at least) to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, which has collected over $400 million in royalties and legal settlements over patent rights.
Wi-Fi is a trademark permitted for devices that are based upon a published standard of the IEEE 802.11 committee and that have been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi is presently incorporated in about three billion devices. Wireless cash registers were one of the earliest applications of what is now Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi devices operate on an unlicensed basis, generally meaning they cannot cause interference to licensed services, and must accept any interference caused to them. Wi-Fi shares bands with other unlicensed or ISM devices, such as cordless phones at 2.4 and 5.8 GHz and microwave ovens at 2.4 GHz.
Some of the key patents related to Wi-Fi are credited (in the courts at least) to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia, which has collected over $400 million in royalties and legal settlements over patent rights.
Google Project Loon
Current Use
5725–5875 MHz Project Loon
Starting in June 2013, Google is experimenting with bringing broadband Internet service to remote areas through the use of high-altitude balloons. The service uses the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz ISM bands for both service and backhaul. Google is first experimenting with the service in New Zealand, and claims that 3G-like speeds are achievable.
More information is available on the Google Project Loon Web site (link below)
More information is available on the Google Project Loon Web site (link below)
Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Devices (ISM, FCC Part 18)
Current Use
5725–5875 MHz ISM
Part 18 (section 18.301) of the FCC rules designate certain bands for high-power Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) devices. These devices generate significant radio energy, but not for telecommunications purposes. Examples includes microwave ovens, industrial heaters, medical diathermy, jewelry cleaners, and RFID tags.
ISM devices may be operated in most frequency bands subject to strict power limits, but are allowed unlimited power in these eleven specially-designated ISM bands.
ISM devices may be operated in most frequency bands subject to strict power limits, but are allowed unlimited power in these eleven specially-designated ISM bands.
Radiofrequency Identification (RFID)
Current Use
5725–5875 MHz RFID
An RFID system consists of an interrogator and a transponder, and is used for identification and data capture. RFID systems are used for a very wide range of applications, including:
Highway tolls
Vehicle tracking
Container tracking
Inventory control & theft prevention (often used to prevent shoplifting)
Healthcare (patient & drug tracking)
Passports
ID cards
Building entry
Livestock & pet tracking
and numerous other applications.
RFID tags can be extremely small devices with little or no internal power, which respond to an interrogation by utilizing some of the RF energy imparted by the interrogator; or they can be larger powered units that can be interrogated over larger distances.
The ITU is in the process of attempting to harmonize RFID bands, since RFID systems are used for global commerce. ITU Study Group 1 (Working Party 1B) is drafting a new ITU-R Recommendation on RFID.
ISO/IEC18000 is the principal standard for the RFID air interface.
RFID systems typically operate in ISM and unlicensed bands.
The bands listed below represent the totality of the various bands presently used around the world. The exact bands used in specific countries may vary (and is what the ITU is attempting to harmonize).
Highway tolls
Vehicle tracking
Container tracking
Inventory control & theft prevention (often used to prevent shoplifting)
Healthcare (patient & drug tracking)
Passports
ID cards
Building entry
Livestock & pet tracking
and numerous other applications.
RFID tags can be extremely small devices with little or no internal power, which respond to an interrogation by utilizing some of the RF energy imparted by the interrogator; or they can be larger powered units that can be interrogated over larger distances.
The ITU is in the process of attempting to harmonize RFID bands, since RFID systems are used for global commerce. ITU Study Group 1 (Working Party 1B) is drafting a new ITU-R Recommendation on RFID.
ISO/IEC18000 is the principal standard for the RFID air interface.
RFID systems typically operate in ISM and unlicensed bands.
The bands listed below represent the totality of the various bands presently used around the world. The exact bands used in specific countries may vary (and is what the ITU is attempting to harmonize).
Unlicensed bands
Current Use
5725–5850 MHz Unlicensed band (commonly used by Wi-Fi)
Although these bands are allocated for ISM use, e.g. microwave ovens and industrial equipment, a major use has been unlicensed (Part 15) systems such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee. In the period 1995-2005, most of the cordless phones marketed in the US were in the 902-928 MHz band, but conflicts with the other uses and availability of DECT equipment has greatly decreased sales of 902-928 MHz cordless phones.
The rules for these bands sprung from FCC Docket 81-413 which sought to end an implicit prohibition of spread spectrum/CDMA technology that resulted from a focus on FDMA spectrum uses. This resulted in rules adopted in 1985 that allow unlicensed spread spectrum systems to use these bands for almost any possible application subject to a 1W power limit and a power spectral density limit. Initial applications, however, were limited to frequency hopping and "direct sequence" modulations, the latter being subject to ill-defined spreading and processing gain requirements.
An FCC rulemaking in 2002, in ET Docket No. 99-231, dropped the spreading and processing gain requirements, and permitted any digital modulation that meets the power and power spectral density limits. The immediate effect was to authorize Wi-Fi products under standard IEEE 802.11g. Subsequent Wi-Fi standards, including n and ac, were eligible for certification with no further rule changes.
Bluetooth is authorized under the original 1985 frequency hopping provisions.
The 2400 and 5800 MHz bands are used for Wi-Fi.
A good history is "The Innovation Journey of Wi-Fi: The Road To Global Success" by Wolter Lemstra, Vic Hayes, John Groenewegen; Cambridge University Press, 2010.
The rules for these bands sprung from FCC Docket 81-413 which sought to end an implicit prohibition of spread spectrum/CDMA technology that resulted from a focus on FDMA spectrum uses. This resulted in rules adopted in 1985 that allow unlicensed spread spectrum systems to use these bands for almost any possible application subject to a 1W power limit and a power spectral density limit. Initial applications, however, were limited to frequency hopping and "direct sequence" modulations, the latter being subject to ill-defined spreading and processing gain requirements.
An FCC rulemaking in 2002, in ET Docket No. 99-231, dropped the spreading and processing gain requirements, and permitted any digital modulation that meets the power and power spectral density limits. The immediate effect was to authorize Wi-Fi products under standard IEEE 802.11g. Subsequent Wi-Fi standards, including n and ac, were eligible for certification with no further rule changes.
Bluetooth is authorized under the original 1985 frequency hopping provisions.
The 2400 and 5800 MHz bands are used for Wi-Fi.
A good history is "The Innovation Journey of Wi-Fi: The Road To Global Success" by Wolter Lemstra, Vic Hayes, John Groenewegen; Cambridge University Press, 2010.