The electromagnetic spectrum is an aspect of the physical world, like land, water, and air. Use of radio frequency bands of the electromagnetic spectrum is regulated by governments in most countries, in a process known as frequency allocation or spectrum allocation. Like weather and internationally traded goods, radio propagation and RF technology do not stop at national boundaries. Giving technical and economic reasons, governments have sought to harmonise spectrum allocation standards. Legend: γ = Gamma rays HX = Hard X-rays SX = Soft X-Rays EUV = Extreme ultraviolet NUV = Near ultraviolet Visible light NIR = Near infrared MIR = Moderate infrared FIR = Far infrared Radio waves: EHF = Extremely high frequency (Microwaves) SHF = Super high frequency (Microwaves) UHF = Ultra high frequency VHF = Very high frequency HF = High... Rough plot of Earths atmospheric transmittance (or opacity) to various wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves. ... Legend: γ = Gamma rays HX = Hard X-rays SX = Soft X-Rays EUV = Extreme ultraviolet NUV = Near ultraviolet Visible light NIR = Near infrared MIR = Moderate infrared FIR = Far infrared Radio waves: EHF = Extremely high frequency (Microwaves) SHF = Super high frequency (Microwaves) UHF = Ultra high frequency VHF = Very high frequency HF = High... Radio propagation is a term used to explain how radio waves behave when they are transmitted, or are propagated from one point on the Earth to another. ...

A number of forums and standards bodies work on standards for frequency allocation, including:

• ITU
• CEPT
• ETSI
• International Special Committee on Radio Interference

High-demand sections of the electromagnetic spectrum may sometimes be allocated through auctions. Monument in Bern, Switzerland. ... The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) was established on June 26, 1959 as a coordinating body for European state telecommunications and postal organizations. ... The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is a standardization organization of the telecommunications industry (equipment makers and network operators) in Europe, with worldwide projection. ... The CISPR is the Comite International Special des Perturbations Radioelectriques (Special International Comitee on Radio Interference). ... An auctioneer and her assistants scan the crowd for bidders An auction is the process of buying and selling things by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder. ...

The range of "radio frequencies" is a matter of international convention. At the international radio conference at Atlantic City in 1947, Hertzian (radio) waves were defined as electromagnetic waves of frequencies between 10 Kc/s and 3000000 Mc/s. The lower limit was dropped in subsequent international radio regulations. More recently there have been proposals to raise the upper limit.

As a matter of physics, many objects and actions generate low-level, wide-band radiation. The frequency allocation process traditionally has not been concerned with many types of radiation.

See also

• Bandplan
• Cellular frequencies
• Amateur radio frequency allocations
• Radio Resource Management (RRM)

A bandplan or band plan is a plan for utilizing a particular band of radio frequencies, that are a portion of the Electromagnetic spectrum . ... Cellular frequencies - the general term which unites radio frequencies utilized by cellular networks to provide service to their subscribers. ... Amateur radio frequency allocation is done by national telecommunications authorities. ... Radio resource management (RRM) is the system level control of radio transmission characteristics in wireless communication systems, for example cellular networks, wireless networks and broadcasting systems. ...

External links

• Australian radiofrequency spectrum allocations chart (PDF file 139kb) (from the Australian Communications and Media Authority) On 1 July 2005, the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority merged to become the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
• Radio Frequency (RF) Allocations Table Chart to 30 MHz
• Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations (from Industry Canada)
• UK Frequency Allocation Table 2004 (from Ofcom, pdf format)
• US Frequency Allocation Chart - Covering the range 3 kHz to 300 GHz (from Department of Commerce)
• Galbi, Douglas (2002), Revolutionary Ideas for Radio Regulation," Section IV, Personal Freedom and Licensing.
• Electronic Frequency Allocation Table - Easy to query On-line version of the Region 1 and 3 ITU Tables.