Title 47—Telecommunication--Volume 1
PART 2—FREQUENCY ALLOCATIONS AND RADIO TREATY MATTERS; GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
§ 2.1   Terms and definitions.
(a) Where a term or definition appears in this part of the Commission's Rules, it shall be the definitive term or definition and shall prevail throughout the Commission's Rules.
(b) The source of each definition is indicated as follows:
(c) The following terms and definitions are issued:
Accepted Interference. 1 Interference at a higher level than defined as permissible interference and which has been agreed upon between two or more administrations without prejudice to other administrations. (RR)
1 The terms permissible interference and accepted interference are used in the coordination of frequency assignments between administrations.
Active Satellite. A satellite carrying a station intended to transmit or retransmit radiocommunication signals. (RR)
Active Sensor. A measuring instrument in the earth exploration-satellite service or in the space research service by means of which information is obtained by transmission and reception of radio waves. (RR)
Adaptive System. A radiocommunication system which varies its radio characteristics according to channel quality. (RR)
Administration. Any governmental department or service responsible for discharging the obligations undertaken in the Constitution of the International Telecommunication Union, in the Convention of the International Telecommunication Union and in the Administrative Regulations. (CS)
Aeronautical Earth Station. An Earth station in the fixed-satellite service, or, in some cases, in the aeronautical mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point on land to provide a feeder link for the aeronautical mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Aeronautical Fixed Service. A radiocommunication service between specified fixed points provided primarily for the safety of air navigation and for the regular, efficient and economical operation of air transport. (RR)
Aeronautical Fixed Station. A station in the aeronautical fixed service. (RR)
Aeronautical Mobile Off-Route (OR) Service. An aeronautical mobile service intended for communications, including those relating to flight coordination, primarily outside national or international civil air routes. (RR)
Aeronautical Mobile Route (R) Service. An aeronautical mobile service reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flight, primarily along national or international civil air routes. (RR)
Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Off-Route (OR) Service. An aeronautical mobile-satellite service intended for communications, including those relating to flight coordination, primarily outside national and international civil air routes. (RR)
Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Route (R) Service. An aeronautical mobile-satellite service reserved for communications relating to safety and regularity of flights, primarily along national or international civil air routes. (RR)
Aeronautical Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board aircraft; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service. (RR)
Aeronautical Mobile Service. A mobile service between aeronautical stations and aircraft stations, or between aircraft stations, in which survival craft stations may participate; emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service on designated distress and emergency frequencies. (RR)
Aeronautical Radionavigation-Satellite Service. A radionavigation-satellite service in which earth stations are located on board aircraft. (RR)
Aeronautical Radionavigation Service. A radio-navigation service intended for the benefit and for the safe operation of aircraft. (RR)
Aeronautical Station. A land station in the aeronautical mobile service.
In certain instances, an aeronautical station may be located, for example, on board ship or on a platform at sea. (RR)
Aircraft Earth Station. A mobile earth station in the aeronautical mobile-satellite service located on board an aircraft. (RR)
Aircraft Station. A mobile station in the aeronautical mobile service, other than a survival craft station, located on board an aircraft. (RR)
Allocation (of a frequency band). Entry in the Table of Frequency Allocations of a given frequency band for the purpose of its use by one or more terrestrial or space radiocommunication services or the radio astronomy service under specified conditions. This term shall also be applied to the frequency band concerned. (RR)
Allotment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel). Entry of a designated frequency channel in an agreed plan, adopted by a competent conference, for use by one or more administrations for a terrestrial or space radiocommunication service in one or more identified countries or geographical area and under specified conditions. (RR)
Altitude of the Apogee or Perigee. The altitude of the apogee or perigee above a specified reference surface serving to represent the surface of the Earth. (RR)
Amateur-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service using space stations on earth satellites for the same purposes as those of the amateur service. (RR)
Amateur Service. A radiocommunication service for the purpose of self-training, intercommunication and technical investigations carried out by amateurs, that is, by duly authorized persons interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. (RR)
Amateur Station. A station in the amateur service. (RR)
Assigned Frequency. The centre of the frequency band assigned to a station. (RR)
Assigned Frequency Band. The frequency band within which the emission of a station is authorized; the width of the band equals the necessary bandwidth plus twice the absolute value of the frequency tolerance. Where space stations are concerned, the assigned frequency band includes twice the maximum Doppler shift that may occur in relation to any point of the Earth's surface. (RR)
Assignment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel). Authorization given by an administration for a radio station to use a radio frequency or radio frequency channel under specified conditions. (RR)
Base Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the land mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point or within a specified area on land to provide a feeder link for the land mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Base Station. A land station in the land mobile service. (RR)
Broadcasting-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service in which signals transmitted or retransmitted by space stations are intended for direct reception by the general public.
In the broadcasting-satellite service, the term direct reception shall encompass both individual reception and community reception. (RR)
Broadcasting Service. A radiocommunication service in which the transmissions are intended for direct reception by the general public. This service may include sound transmissions, television transmissions or other types of transmission. (CS)
Broadcasting Station. A station in the broadcasting service. (RR)
Carrier Power (of a radio transmitter). The average power supplied to the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one radio frequency cycle taken under the condition of no modulation. (RR)
Characteristic Frequency. A frequency which can be easily identified and measured in a given emission.
A carrier frequency may, for example, be designated as the characteristic frequency. (RR)
Class of Emission. The set of characteristics of an emission, designated by standard symbols, e.g., type of modulation, modulating signal, type of information to be transmitted, and also if appropriate, any additional signal characteristics. (RR)
Coast Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the maritime mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point on land to provide a feeder link for the maritime mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Coast Station. A land station in the maritime mobile service. (RR)
Community Reception (in the broadcasting-satellite service). The reception of emissions from a space station in the broadcasting-satellite service by receiving equipment, which in some cases may be complex and have antennae larger than those for individual reception, and intended for use: (1) by a group of the general public at one location; or (2) through a distribution system covering a limited area. (RR)
Conterminous United States. The contiguous 48 States and the District of Columbia. (FCC)
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Time scale, based on the second (SI), as defined in Recommendation ITU-R TF.460-6.
For most practical purposes associated with the ITU Radio Regulations , UTC is equivalent to mean solar time at the prime meridian (0° longitude), formerly expressed in GMT. (RR)
Coordination Area. When determining the need for coordination, the area surrounding an earth station sharing the same frequency band with terrestrial stations, or surrounding a transmitting earth station sharing the same bidirectionally allocated frequency band with receiving earth stations, beyond which the level of permissible interference will not be exceeded and coordination is therefore not required. (RR)
Coordination Contour. The line enclosing the coordination area. (RR)
Coordination Distance. When determining the need for coordination, the distance on a given azimuth from an earth station sharing the same frequency band with terrestrial stations, or from a transmitting earth station sharing the same bidirectionally allocated frequency band with receiving earth stations, beyond which the level of permissible interference will not be exceeded and coordination is therefore not required. (RR)
Deep Space. Space at distance from the Earth equal to, or greater than, 2 × 10 6 kilometers. (RR)
Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Station. A differential RNSS station for specific augmentation of GPS.
Differential Radionavigation Satellite Service (Differential RNSS) Station. A station used for the transmission of differential correction data and related information (such as ionospheric data and RNSS satellite integrity information) as an augmentation to an RNSS system for the purpose of improved navigation accuracy.
Direct Sequence Systems. A spread spectrum system in which the carrier has been modulated by a high speed spreading code and an information data stream. The high speed code sequence dominates the “modulating function” and is the direct cause of the wide spreading of the transmitted signal.
Duplex Operation. Operating method in which transmission is possible simultaneously in both directions of a telecommunication channel. 3 (RR)
3 In general, duplex operation and semi-duplex operation require two frequencies in radiocommunication; simplex operation may use either one or two.
Earth Exploration-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service between earth stations and one or more space stations, which may include links between space stations, in which:
(1) Information relating to the characteristics of the Earth and its natural phenomena, including data relating to the state of the environment, is obtained from active sensors or passive sensors on Earth satellites;
(2) Similar information is collected from airborne or Earth-based platforms;
(3) Such information may be distributed to earth stations within the system concerned; and
(4) Platform interrogation may be included. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation. (RR)
Earth Station. A station located either on the earth's surface or within the major portion of earth's atmosphere and intended for communication:
(1) With one or more space stations; or
(2) With one or more stations of the same kind by means of one or more reflecting satellites or other objects in space. (RR)
Effective Radiated Power (e.r.p) (in a given direction). The product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain relative to a half-wave dipole in a given direction. (RR)
Emergency Position-Indicating Radiobeacon Station. A station in the mobile service the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations. (RR)
Emission. Radiation produced, or the production of radiation, by a radio transmitting station.
For example, the energy radiated by the local oscillator of a radio receiver would not be an emission but a radiation. (RR)
End Product. A completed electronic device that has received all requisite FCC approvals and is suitable for marketing.
Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (e.i.r.p.). The product of the power supplied to the antenna and the antenna gain in a given direction relative to an isotropic antenna (absolute or isotropic gain). (RR)
Equivalent Monopole Radiated Power (e.m.r.p.) (in a given direction). The product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain relative to a short vertical antenna in a given direction. (RR)
Equivalent Satellite Link Noise Temperature. The noise temperature referred to the output of the receiving antenna of the earth station corresponding to the radio-frequency noise power which produces the total observed noise at the output of the satellite link excluding the noise due to interference coming from satellite links using other satellites and from terrestrial systems. (RR)
Evaluation Kit. An assembly of components, subassemblies, or circuitry, including software, created by or for a component maker, system integrator, or product developer for the sole purpose of facilitating: (i) End product developer evaluation of all or some of such components, subassemblies, or circuitry, or (ii) the development of software to be used in an end product.
Experimental Station. A station utilizing radio waves in experiments with a view to the development of science or technique.
This definition does not include amateur stations. (RR)
Facsimile. A form of telegraphy for the transmission of fixed images, with or without half-tones, with a view to their reproduction in a permanent form. (RR)
Feeder Link. A radio link from an earth station at a given location to a space station, or vice versa, conveying information for a space radiocommunication service other than for the fixed-satellite service. The given location may be at a specified fixed point, or at any fixed point within specified areas. (RR)
Fixed-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service between earth stations at given positions, when one or more satellites are used; the given position may be a specified fixed point or any fixed point within specified areas; in some cases this service includes satellite-to-satellite links, which may also be operated in the inter-satellite service; the fixed-satellite service may also include feeder links for other space radiocommunication services. (RR)
Fixed Service. A radiocommunication service between specified fixed points. (RR)
Fixed Station. A station in the fixed service. (RR)
Frequency Assignment Subcommittee (FAS). A subcommittee of the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) within NTIA that develops and executes procedures for the assignment and coordination of Federal radio frequencies. (FCC)
Frequency Hopping Systems. A spread spectrum system in which the carrier is modulated with the coded information in a conventional manner causing a conventional spreading of the RF energy about the frequency carrier. The frequency of the carrier is not fixed but changes at fixed intervals under the direction of a coded sequence. The wide RF bandwidth needed by such a system is not required by spreading of the RF energy about the carrier but rather to accommodate the range of frequencies to which the carrier frequency can hop. The test of a frequency hopping system is that the near term distribution of hops appears random, the long term distribution appears evenly distributed over the hop set, and sequential hops are randomly distributed in both direction and magnitude of change in the hop set.
Frequency-Shift Telegraphy. Telegraphy by frequency modulation in which the telegraph signal shifts the frequency of the carrier between predetermined values. (RR)
Frequency Tolerance. The maximum permissible departure by the centre frequency of the frequency band occupied by an emission from the assigned frequency or, by the characteristic frequency of an emission from the reference frequency.
The frequency tolerance is expressed in parts in 10 6 or in hertz. (RR)
Full Carrier Single-Sideband Emission. A single-sideband emission without suppression of the carrier. (RR)
Gain of an Antenna. The ratio, usually expressed in decibels, of the power required at the input of a loss free reference antenna to the power supplied to the input of the given antenna to produce, in a given direction, the same field strength or the same power flux-density at the same distance. When not specified otherwise, the gain refers to the direction of maximum radiation. The gain may be considered for a specified polarization.
Depending on the choice of the reference antenna a distinction is made between:
(1) Absolute or isotropic gain (Gi), when the reference antenna is an isotropic antenna isolated in space;
(2) Gain relative to a half-wave dipole (Gd), when the reference antenna is a half-wave dipole isolated in space whose equatorial plane contains the given direction;
(3) Gain relative to a short vertical antenna (Gv), when the reference antenna is a linear conductor, much shorter than one quarter of the wavelength, normal to the surface of a perfectly conducting plane which contains the given direction. (RR)
General Purpose Mobile Service. A mobile service that includes all mobile communications uses including those within the Aeronautical Mobile, Land Mobile, or the Maritime Mobile Services.
Geostationary Satellite. A geosynchronous satellite whose circular and direct orbit lies in the plane of the Earth's equator and which thus remains fixed relative to the Earth; by extension, a geosynchronous satellite which remains approximately fixed relative to the Earth. (RR)
Geostationary Satellite Orbit. The orbit in which a satellite must be placed to be a geostationary satellite. (RR)
Geosynchronous Satellite. An Earth satellite whose period of revolution is equal to the period of rotation of the Earth about its axis. (RR)
Government Master File (GMF). NTIA's database of Federal assignments. It also includes non-Federal authorizations coordinated with NTIA for the bands allocated for shared Federal and non-Federal use. (FCC)
Harmful Interference. Interference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service operating in accordance with [the ITU] Radio Regulations. (CS)
High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). A station located on an object at an altitude of 20 to 50 km and at a specified, nominal, fixed point relative to the Earth. (RR)
Hybrid Spread Spectrum Systems. Hybrid spread spectrum systems are those which use combinations of two or more types of direct sequence, frequency hopping, time hopping and pulsed FM modulation in order to achieve their wide occupied bandwidths.
Inclination of an Orbit (of an earth satellite). The angle determined by the plane containing the orbit and the plane of the Earth's equator measured in degrees between 0° and 180° and in counter-clockwise direction from the Earth's equatorial plane at the ascending node of the orbit. (RR)
Individual Reception (in the broadcasting-satellite service). The reception of emissions from a space station in the broadcasting-satellite service by simple domestic installations and in particular those possessing small antennae. (RR)
Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) (of radio frequency energy) Applications. Operation of equipment or appliances designed to generate and use locally radio-frequency energy for industrial, scientific, medical, domestic or similar purposes, excluding applications in the field of telecommunications. (RR)
Instrument Landing System (ILS). A radionavigation system which provides aircraft with horizontal and vertical guidance just before and during landing and, at certain fixed points, indicates the distance to the reference point of landing. (RR)
Instrument Landing System Glide Path. A system of vertical guidance embodied in the instrument landing system which indicates the vertical deviation of the aircraft from its optimum path of descent. (RR)
Instrument Landing System Localizer. A system of horizontal guidance embodied in the instrument landing system which indicates the horizontal deviation of the aircraft from its optimum path of descent along the axis of the runway. (RR)
Insular area. A jurisdiction that is neither a part of one of the several States nor a Federal district. The U.S. insular areas are listed in 47 CFR 2.105(a) at notes 2 and 3. (FCC)
Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC). A committee of the Federal departments, agencies, and administrations that advises NTIA in assigning frequencies to Federal radio stations and in developing and executing policies, programs, procedures, and technical criteria pertaining to the allocation, management, and use of the spectrum. The IRAC consists of a main committee, subcommittees, and several ad hoc groups that consider various aspects of spectrum management policy. The FCC serves as a member of the Frequency Assignment Subcommittee and as Liaison Representative on the main committee, all other subcommittees and ad hoc groups. (FCC)
Interference. The effect of unwanted energy due to one or a combination of emissions, radiations, or inductions upon reception in a radiocommunication system, manifested by any performance degradation, misinterpretation, or loss of information which could be extracted in the absence of such unwanted energy. (RR)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU). An international organization within the United Nations System where governments and the private sector coordinate global telecom networks and services. The ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and its internet address is www.itu.int. (FCC)
Inter-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service providing links between artificial satellites. (RR)
Ionospheric Scatter. The propagation of radio waves by scattering as a result of irregularities or discontinuities in the ionization of the ionosphere. (RR)
Land Earth Station. An earth station in the fixed-satellite service or, in some cases, in the mobile-satellite service, located at a specified fixed point or within a specified area on land to provide a feeder link for the mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Land Mobile Earth Station. A mobile earth station in the land mobile-satellite service capable of surface movement within the geographical limits of a country or continent. (RR)
Land Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on land. (RR)
Land Mobile Service. A mobile service between base stations and land mobile stations, or between land mobile stations. (RR)
Land Mobile Station. A mobile station in the land mobile service capable of surface movement within the geographical limits of a country or continent.
Land Station. A station in the mobile service not intended to be used while in motion. (RR)
Left-Hand (or Anti-Clockwise) Polarized Wave. An elliptically or circularly-polarized wave, in fixed plane, normal to the direction of propagation, whilst looking in the direction of propagation, rotates with time in a left hand or anti-clockwise direction. (RR)
Line A. Begins at Aberdeen, Washington running by great circle arc to the intersection of 48° N., 120° W., thence along parallel 48° N., to the intersection of 95° W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Duluth, Minn., thence by great circle arc to 45° N., 85° W., thence southward along meridian 85° W., to its intersection with parallel 41° N., thence along parallel 41° N., to its intersection with meridian 82° W., thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Bangor, Maine, thence by great circle arc through the southernmost point of Searsport, Maine, at which point it terminates. (FCC)
Line B. Begins at Tofino, B.C., running by great circle arc to the intersection of 50° N., 125° W., thence along parallel 50° N., to the intersection of 90° W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 45° N., 79°30′ W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Drummondville, Quebec (Lat. 45°52′ N., Long 72°30′ W.), thence by great circle arc to 48°30′ N., 70° W., thence by great circle arc through the northernmost point of Compbellton, N.B., thence by great circle are through the northernmost point of Liverpool, N.S., at which point it terminates. (FCC)
Line C. Begins at the intersection of 70° N., 144° W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60° N., 143° W., thence by great circle arc so as to include all of the Alaskan Panhandle. (FCC)
Line D. Begins at the intersection of 70° N., 138° W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 61°20′ N., 139° W. (Burwash Landing), thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 60°45′ N., 135° W., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 56° N., 128° W., thence south along 128° meridian to Lat. 55° N., thence by great circle arc to the intersection of 54° N., 130° W., thence by great circle arc to Port Clements, thence to the Pacific Ocean where it ends. (FCC)
Maritime Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service in which mobile earth stations are located on board ships; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service. (RR)
Maritime Mobile Service. A mobile service between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, or between associated on-board communication stations; survival craft stations and emergency position-indicating radiobeacon stations may also participate in this service. (RR)
Maritime Radionavigation-Satellite Service. A radionavigation-satellite service in which earth stations are located on board ships. (RR)
Maritime Radionavigation Service. A radionavigation service intended for the benefit and for the safe operation of ships. (RR)
Marker Beacon. A transmitter in the aeronautical radionavigation service which radiates vertically a distinctive pattern for providing position information to aircraft. (RR)
Mean Power (of a radio transmitter). The average power supplied to the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during an interval of time sufficiently long compared with the lowest frequency encountered in the modulation taken under normal operating conditions. (RR)
Meteorological Aids Service. A radiocommunication service used for meteorological, including hydrological, observation and exploration. (RR)
Meteorological-Satellite Service. An earth exploration-satellite service for meteorological purposes. (RR)
Mobile Earth Station. An earth station in the mobile-satellite service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points. (RR)
Mobile-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service:
(1) Between mobile earth stations and one or more space stations, or between space stations used by this service; or
(2) Between mobile earth stations by means of one or more space stations.
This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation. (RR)
Mobile Service. A radiocommunication service between mobile and land stations, or between mobile stations. (CV)
Mobile Station. A station in the mobile service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points. (RR)
Multi-Satellite Link. A radio link between a transmitting earth station and a receiving earth station through two or more satellites, without any intermediate earth station.
A multisatellite link comprises one up-link, one or more satellite-to-satellite links and one down-link. (RR)
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). An agency of the United States Department of Commerce that serves as the President's principal advisor on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA manages Federal use of the radio spectrum and coordinates Federal use with the FCC. NTIA sets forth regulations for Federal use of the radio spectrum within its Manual of Regulations & Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management (NTIA Manual). (FCC)
Necessary Bandwidth. For a given class of emission, the width of the frequency band which is just sufficient to ensure the transmission of information at the rate and with the quality required under specified conditions. (RR)
Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Mobile-Satellite Service. A mobile-satellite service reserved for use by non-geostationary satellites in the provision of non-voice communications which may include satellite links between land earth stations at fixed locations.
Occupied Bandwidth. The width of a frequency band such that, below the lower and above the upper frequency limits, the mean powers emitted are each equal to a specified percentage β/2 of the total mean power of a given emission.
Unless otherwise specified in an ITU-R Recommendation for the appropriate class of emission, the value of β/2 should be taken as 0.5%. (RR).
On-Board Communication Station. A low-powered mobile station in the maritime mobile service intended for use for internal communications on board a ship, or between a ship and its lifeboats and life-rafts during lifeboat drills or operations, or for communication within a group of vessels being towed or pushed, as well as for line handling and mooring instructions. (RR)
Orbit. The path, relative to a specified frame of reference, described by the centre of mass of a satellite or other object in space subjected primarily to natural forces, mainly the force of gravity. (RR)
Out-of-band domain (of an emission). The frequency range, immediately outside the necessary bandwidth but excluding the spurious domain, in which out-of-band emissions generally predominate. Out-of-band emissions, defined based on their source, occur in the out-of-band domain and, to a lesser extent, in the spurious domain. Spurious emissions likewise may occur in the out-of-band domain as well as in the spurious domain. (RR)
Out-of-band Emission. Emission on a frequency or frequencies immediately outside the necessary bandwidth which results from the modulation process, but excluding spurious emissions. (RR)
Passive Sensor. A measuring instrument in the earth exploration-satellite service or in the space research service by means of which information is obtained by reception of radio waves of natural origin. (RR)
Peak Envelope Power (of a radio transmitter). The average power supplied to the antenna transmission line by a transmitter during one radio frequency cycle at the crest of the modulation envelope taken under normal operating conditions. (RR)
Period (of a satellite). The time elapsing between two consecutive passages of a satellite through a characteristic point on its orbit. (RR)
Permissible Interference. 3 Observed or predicted interference which complies with quantitative interference and sharing criteria contained in these [ITU Radio] Regulations or in ITU-R Recommendations or in special agreements as provided for in these Regulations. (RR)
3 See footnote under Accepted Interference.
Port Operations Service. A maritime mobile service in or near a port, between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, in which messages are restricted to those relating to the operational handling, the movement and the safty of ships and, in emergency, to the safety of persons.
Messages which are of a public correspondence nature shall be excluded from this service. (RR)
Port Station. A coast station in the port operations service. (RR)
Power. Whenever the power of a radio transmitter, etc. is referred to it shall be expressed in one of the following forms, according to the class of emission, using the arbitrary symbols indicated:
(1) Peak envelope power (PX or pX);
(2) Mean power (PY or pY);
(3) Carrier power (PZ or pZ).
For different classes of emission, the relationships between peak envelope power, mean power and carrier power, under the conditions of normal operation and of no modulation, are contained in ITU-R Recommendations which may be used as a guide.
For use in formulae, the symbol p denotes power expressed in watts and the symbol P denotes power expressed in decibels relative to a reference level. (RR)
Primary Radar. A radiodetermination system based on the comparison of reference signals with radio signals reflected from the position to be determined. (RR)
Protection Ratio. The minimum value of the wanted-to-unwanted signal ratio, usually expressed in decibels, at the receiver input determined under specified conditions such that a specified reception quality of the wanted signal is achieved at the receiver output. (RR)
Public Correspondence. Any telecommunication which the offices and stations must, by reason of their being at the disposal of the public, accept for transmission. (CS)
Pulsed FM Systems. A pulsed FM system is a spread spectrum system in which a RF carrier is modulated with a fixed period and fixed duty cycle sequence. At the beginning of each transmitted pulse, the carrier frequency is frequency modulated causing an additional spreading of the carrier. The pattern of the frequency modulation will depend upon the spreading function which is chosen. In some systems the spreading function is a linear FM chirp sweep, sweeping either up or down in frequency.
Radar. A radiodetermination system based on the comparison of reference signals with radio signals reflected, or retrainsmitted, from the position to be determined. (RR)
Radar Beacon (RACON). A transmitter-receiver associated with a fixed navigational mark which, when triggered by a radar, automatically returns a distinctive signal which can appear on the display of the triggering radar, providing range, bearing and identification information. (RR)
Radiation. The outward flow of energy from any source in the form of radio waves. (RR)
Radio. A general term applied to the use of radio waves. (RR)
Radio Altimeter. Radionavigation equipment, on board an aircraft or spacecraft or the spacecraft above the Earth's surface or another surface. (RR)
Radio Astronomy. Astronomy based on the reception of radio waves of cosmic origin. (RR)
Radio Astronomy Service. A service involving the use of radio astronomy. (RR)
Radio Astronomy Station. A station in the radio astronomy service. (RR)
Radiobeacon Station. A station in the radionavigation service the emissions of which are intended to enable a mobile station to determine its bearing or direction in relation to radiobeacon station. (RR)
Radiocommunication. Telecommunication by means of radio waves. (CS) (CV)
Radiocommunication Service. A service as defined in this Section involving the transmission, emission and/or reception of radio waves for specific telecommunication purposes.
In these [international] Radio Regulations, unless otherwise stated, any radiocommunication service relates to terrestrial radiocommunication. (RR)
Radiodetermination. The determination of the position, velocity and/or other characteristics of an object, or the obtaining of information relating to these parameters, by means of the propagation properties of radio waves. (RR)
Radiodetermination-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service for the purpose of radiodetermination involving the use or one of more space stations. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its own operation. (RR)
Radiodetermination Service. A radiocommunication service for the purpose of radiodetermination. (RR)
Radiodetermination Station. A station in the radiodetermination serviice. (RR)
Radio Direction-Finding. Radiodetermination using the reception of radio waves for the purpose of determining the direction of a station or object. (RR)
Radio Direction-Finding Station. A radiodetermination station using radio direction-finding. (RR)
Radiolocation. Radiodetermination used for purposes other than those of radionavigation. (RR)
Radiolocation Land Station. A station in the radiolocation service not intended to be used while in motion. (RR)
Radiolocation Mobile Station. A station in the radiolocation service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points. (RR)
Radiolocation Service. A radiodetermination service for the purpose of radiolocation. (RR)
Radionavigation. Radiodetermination used for the purposes of navigation, including obstruction warning.
Radionavigation Land Station. A station in the radionavigation service not intended to be used while in motion. (RR)
Radionavigation Mobile Station. A station in the radionavigation service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points. (RR)
Radionavigation-Satellite Service. A radiodetermination-satellite service used for the purpose of radionavigation. This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation. (RR)
Radionavigation Service. A radiod-etermination service for the purpose of radionavigation. (RR)
Radiosonde. An automatic radio transmitter in the meteorological aids service usually carried on an aircraft, free ballon, kite or parachute, and which transmits meteorological data. (RR)
Radiotelegram. A telegram, originating in or intended for a mobile station or a mobile earth station transmitted on all or part of its route over the radiocommunication channels of the mobile service or of the mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Radiotelemetry. Telemetry by means of radio waves. (RR)
Radiotelephone Call. A telephone call, originating in or intended for a mobile station or a mobile earth station, transmitted on all or part of its route over the radiocommunication channels of the mobile service or of the mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Radiotelex Call. A telex call, originating in or intended for a mobile station or a mobile earth station, transmitted on all or part of its route over the radiocommunication channels of the mobile service or the mobile-satellite service. (RR)
Radio Waves or Hertzian Waves. Electromagnetic waves of frequencies arbitrarily lower than 3,000 GHz, propagated in space without aritificial guide. (RR)
Reduced Carrier Single-Sideband Emission. A single-sideband emission in which the degree of carrier suppession enables the carrier to be reconstrituted and to be used for demodulation. (RR)
Reference Frequency. A frequency having a fixed and specified position with respect to the assigned frequency. The displacement of this frequency with respect to the assigned frequency has the same absolute value and sign that the displacement of the characteristic frequency has with respect to the centre of the frequency band occupied by the emission. (RR)
Reflecting Satellite. A satellite intended to reflect radiocommunication signals. (RR)
Right-Hand (or Clockwise) Polarized Wave. An Elliptically or circularly-polarized wave, in which the electric field vector, observed in any fixed plane, normal to the direction of propagation, whilst looking in the direction of propagation, rotates with time in a right-hand or clockwise direction. (RR)
Safety Service. Any radiocommunication service used permanently or temporarily for the safeguarding of human life and property. (RR)
Satellite. A body which revolves around another body of preponderant mass and which has a motion primarily and permanently determined by the force of attraction of that other body. (RR)
Satellite Link. A radio link between a transmitting earth station and a receiving earth station through one satellite. A satellite link comprises one up-link and one down-link. (RR)
Satellite Network. A satellite system or a part of a satellite system, consisting of only one satellite and the cooperating earth stations. (RR)
Satellite System. A space system using one or more artificial earth satellites. (RR)
Secondary Radar. A radiodetermination system based on the comparison of reference signals with radio signals retransmitted from the position to be determined. (RR)
Semi-Duplex Operation. 4 A method which is simplex operation on one end of the circuit and duplex operation at the other. (RR)
Simplex Operation. 4 Operating method in which transmission is made possible alternatively in each direction of a telecommunication channel, for example, by means of manual control.
4 See footnote under Duplex Operation.
Ship Earth Station. A mobile earth station in the maritime mobile-satellite service located on board ship. (RR)
Ship Movement Service. A safety service in the maritime mobile service other than a port operations service, between coast stations and ship stations, or between ship stations, in which messages are restricted to those relating to the movement of ships. Messages which are of a public correspondence nature shall be excluded from this service. (RR)
Ship's Emergency Transmitter. A ship's transmitter to be used exclusively on a distress frequency for distress, urgency or safety purposes. (RR)
Ship Station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service located on board a vessel which is not permanently moored, other than a survival craft station. (RR)
Simplex Operation. Operating method in which transmission is made possible alternatively in each direction of a telecommunication channel, for example, by means of manual control. 5 (RR)
5 (See footnote under Duplex Operations.)
Single-Sideband Emission. An amplitude modulated emission with one sideband only. (RR)
Software defined radio. A radio that includes a transmitter in which the operating parameters of frequency range, modulation type or maximum output power (either radiated or conducted), or the circumstances under which the transmitter operates in accordance with Commission rules, can be altered by making a change in software without making any changes to hardware components that affect the radio frequency emissions. In accordance with § 2.944 of this part, only radios in which the software is designed or expected to be modified by a party other than the manufacturer and would affect the above-listed operating parameters or circumstances under which the radio transmits must be certified as software defined radios.
Spacecraft. A man-made vehicle which is intended to go beyond the major portion of the Earth's atmosphere. (RR)
Space Launch Operations. Any activity that places a launch vehicle, whether an expendable launch vehicle or a reusable launch vehicle or reentry vehicle used for launch, and any payload or human being from Earth in a suborbital trajectory, in Earth orbit, or otherwise in outer space, including pre-launch testing and recovery or reentry of the launch vehicle.
Space Operation Service. A radiocommunication service concerned exclusively with the operation of spacecraft, in particular space tracking, space telemetry, and space telecommand.
These functions will normally be provided within the service in which the space station is operating. (RR)
Space Radiocommunication. Any radiocommunication involving the use of one or more space stations or the use of one or more reflecting satellites or other objects in space. (RR)
Space Research Service. A radiocommunication service in which spacecraft or other objects in space are used for scientific or technological research purposes. (RR)
Space Station. A station located on an object which is beyond, is intended to go beyond, or has been beyond, the major portion of the Earth's atmosphere. (RR)
Space System. Any group of cooperating Earth stations and/or space stations employing space radiocommunication for specific purposes. (RR)
Space Telecommand. The use of radiocommunication for the transmission of signals to a space station to initiate, modify or terminate functions of equipment on a space object, incuding the space station. (RR)
Space Telemetry. The use of telemetry for transmission for a space station of results of measurements made in a spacecraft, including those relating to the functioning of the spacecraft. (RR)
Space Tracking. Determination of the orbit, velocity or instanteneous position of an object in space by means of radiodetermination, excluding primary radar, for the purpose of following the movement of the object. (RR)
Special Service. A radiocommunication service, not otherwise defined in this Section, carried on exclusively for specific needs of general utility, and not open to public correspondence. (RR)
Spread Spectrum Systems. A spread spectrum system is an information bearing communications system in which: (1) Information is conveyed by modulation of a carrier by some conventional means, (2) the bandwidth is deliberately widened by means of a spreading function over that which would be needed to transmit the information alone. (In some spread spectrum systems, a portion of the information being conveyed by the system may be contained in the spreading function.)
Spurious domain (of an emission): The frequency range beyond the out-of-band domain in which spurious emissions generally predominate. (RR)
Spurious Emission. Emission on a frequency or frequencies which are outside the necessary bandwidth and the level of which may be reduced without affecting the corresponding transmission of information. Spurious emissions include harmonic emissions, parasitic emissions, intermodulation products and frequency conversion products, but exclude out-of-band emissions. (RR)
Standard Frequency and Time Signal-Satellite Service. A radiocommunication service using space stations on earth satellites for the same purposes as those of the standard frequency and time signal service.
This service may also include feeder links necessary for its operation. (RR)
Standard Frequency and Time Signal Service. A radiocommunication service for scientific, technical and other purposes, providing the transmission of specified frequencies, time signals, or both, of stated high precision, intended for general reception. (RR)
Standard Frequency and Time Signal Station. A station in the standard frequency and time signal service. (RR)
Station. One or more transmitters or receivers or a combination of transmitters and receivers, including the accessory equipment, necessary at one location for carrying on a radiocommunication service, or the radio astronomy service.
Each station shall be classified by the service in which it operates permanently or temporarily. (RR)
Suppressed Carrier Single-Sideband Emission. A single-sideband emission in which the carrier is virtually suppressed and not intended to be used for demodulation. (RR)
Survival Craft Station. A mobile station in the maritime mobile service or the aeronautical mobile service intended solely for survival purposes and located on any lifeboat, life-raft or other survival equipment. (RR)
Telecommand. The use of telecommunication for the transmission of signals to initiate, modify or terminate functions of equipment at a distance. (RR)
Telecommunication. Any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images and sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic systems. (CS)
Telegram. Written matter intended to be transmitted by telegraphy for delivery to the addressee. This term also includes radiotelegrams unless otherwise specified. (CS)
In this definition the term telegraphy has the same general meaning as defined in the Convention.
Telegraphy. 5 A form of telecommunication in which the transmitted information is intended to be recorded on arrival as a graphic document; the transmitted information may sometimes be presented in an alternative form or may be stored for subsequent use. (CS)
5 A graphic document records information in a permanent form and is capable of being filed and consulted; it may take the form of written or printed matter or of a fixed image.
Telemetry. The use of telecommunication for automatically indicating or recording measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument. (RR)
Telephony. A form of telecommunication primarily intended for the exchange of information in the form of speech. (CS)
Television. A form of telecommunication for the transmission of transient images of fixed or moving objects. (RR)
Terrestrial Radiocommunication. Any radiocommunication other than space radiocommunication or radio astronomy. (RR)
Terrestrial Station. A station effecting terrestrial radiocommunication.
In these [international Radio] Regulations, unless otherwise stated, any station is a terrestrial station. (RR)
Time Hopping Systems. A time hopping system is a spread spectrum system in which the period and duty cycle of a pulsed RF carrier are varied in a pseudorandom manner under the control of a coded sequence. Time hopping is often used effectively with frequency hopping to form a hybrid time-division, multiple-access (TDMA) spread spectrum system.
Transponder. A transmitter-receiver facility the function of which is to transmit signals automatically when the proper interrogation is received. (FCC)
Tropospheric Scatter. The propagation of radio waves by scattering as a result of irregularities or discontinuities in the physical properties of the troposphere. (RR)
Unwanted Emissions. Consist of spurious emissions and out-of-band emissions. (RR)
§ 2.100   International Radio Regulations.
The United States is a Member State of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The legal framework of the ITU is comprised of the Constitution and Convention of the International Telecommunication Union—which have treaty status and are binding on ITU Member States—and the Administrative Regulations—which complement the Constitution and the Convention. The Radio Regulations form an integral part of the Administrative Regulations.
(a) The Radio Regulations are available at https://www.itu.int/pub/R-REG-RR/en and consist of:
(1) Articles in volume 1. Article 5 includes the ITU's Table of Frequency Allocations, which is the basis for the International Table in § 2.106, as well as the text of the footnotes to the ITU's Table of Frequency Allocations, which is the basis for the list of international footnotes in § 2.106. A description of terms and abbreviations used in the international footnotes is as follows:
(i) ITU-R (ITU Radiocommunication Sector).
(ii) No. (composite number indicating the number of the ITU Article and the provision number within that Article (e.g., No. 9.2B means provision No. 2B of Article 9).
(iii) Radio Regulations (ITU Radio Regulations).
(iv) WRC (World Radiocommunication Conference).
(2) Appendices (with Annexes) in volume 2.
(3) Resolutions and Recommendations in volume 3.
(4) ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) Recommendations as referenced in volume 4.
(b) The Radio Regulations (Edition of 2012) have been incorporated to the extent practicable in this part, except that the International Table within § 2.106 has been updated to reflect the Radio Regulations (Edition of 2016).
§ 2.101   Frequency and wavelength bands.
(a) The radio spectrum shall be subdivided into nine frequency bands, which shall be designated by progressive whole numbers in accordance with the following table. As the unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz), frequencies shall be expressed:
(1) In kilohertz (kHz), up to and including 3 000 kHz;
(2) In megahertz (MHz), above 3 MHz, up to and including 3 000 MHz;
(3) In gigahertz (GHz), above 3 GHz, up to and including 3 000 GHz.
(b) However, where adherence to these provisions would introduce serious difficulties, for example in connection with the notification and registration of frequencies, the lists of frequencies and related matters, reasonable departures may be made. 1
1 In the application of the ITU Radio Regulations, the Radiocommunication Bureau uses the following units:
kHz: For frequencies up to 28 000 kHz inclusive;
MHz: For frequencies above 28 000 kHz up to 10 500 MHz inclusive; and
GHz: For frequencies above 10 500 MHz.
Table 1 to Paragraph ( b )
Note 1: “Band N” (N = band number) extends from 0.3 × 10 N Hz to 3 × 10 N Hz.
Note 2: Prefix: k = kilo (10 3 ), M = mega (10 6 ), G = giga (10 9 ).
(c) In communications between administrations and the ITU, no names, symbols or abbreviations should be used for the various frequency bands other than those specified in this section.
§ 2.102   Assignment of frequencies.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the assignment of frequencies and frequency bands to all stations and classes of stations and the licensing and authorizing of the use of all such frequencies between 8.3 kHz and 275 GHz, and the actual use of such frequencies for radiocommunication or for any other purpose, including the transfer of energy by radio, shall be in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations in § 2.106.
(b) On the condition that harmful interference will not be caused to services operating in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations the following exceptions to paragraph (a) of this section may be authorized:
(1) In individual cases the Commission may, without rule making proceedings, authorize on a temporary basis only, the use of frequencies not in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations for projects of short duration or emergencies where the Commission finds that important or exceptional circumstances require such utilization. Such authorizations are not intended to develop a service to be operated on frequencies other than those allocated such service.
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Experimental stations, pursuant to part 5 of this chapter, may be authorized the use of any frequency or frequency band not exclusively allocated to the passive services (including the radio astronomy service).
(4) In the event a band is reallocated so as to delete its availability for use by a particular service, the Commission may provide for the further interim use of the band by stations in that service for a temporary, specific period of time.
(c) Non-Federal stations may be authorized to use Federal frequencies in the bands above 25 MHz:
(1) If the Commission finds, after consultations with the appropriate Federal agency or agencies, that such use is necessary for coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities. Such operations must meet the following requirements:
(i) Non-Federal operation on Federal frequencies shall conform with the conditions agreed upon by the Commission and NTIA;
(ii) Such operations shall be in accordance with NTIA rules governing the service to which the frequencies involved are allocated;
(iii) Such operations shall not cause harmful interference to Federal stations and, should harmful interference result, that the interfering non-Federal operation shall immediately terminate; and
(iv) Non-Federal operation has been certified as necessary by the Federal agency involved and this certification has been furnished, in writing, to the non-Federal licensee with which communication is required; or
(2) Pursuant to the provisions of § 90.25 of this chapter, provided that such operations shall not cause harmful interference to Federal stations and, should harmful interference result, that the interfering non-Federal operation shall immediately terminate.
(d) Aircraft stations may communicate with stations of the maritime mobile service. They shall then conform to those provisions of the international Radio Regulations which relate to the maritime mobile service. For this purpose aircraft stations should use the frequencies allocated to the maritime mobile service. However, having regard to interference which may be caused by aircraft stations at high altitudes, maritime mobile frequencies in the bands above 30 MHz shall not be used by aircraft stations in any specific area without the prior agreement of all administrations of the area in which interference is likely to be caused. In particular, aircraft stations operating in Region 1 should not use frequencies in the bands above 30 MHz allocated to the maritime mobile service by virtue of any agreement between administrations in that Region.
(e) Non-Federal services operating on frequencies in the band 25-50 MHz must recognize that it is shared with various services of other countries; that harmful interference may be caused by skywave signals received from distant stations of all services of the United States and other countries radiating power on frequencies in this band; and that no protection from such harmful interference generally can be expected. Persons desiring to avoid such harmful interference should consider operation on available frequencies higher in the radio spectrum not generally subject to this type of difficulty.
(f) The stations of a service shall use frequencies so separated from the limits of a band allocated to that service as not to cause harmful interference to allocated services in immediately adjoining frequency bands.
(g) In the bands above 25 MHz which are allocated to the non-Federal land mobile service, fixed stations may be authorized on the following conditions:
(1) That such stations are authorized in the service shown in Column 5 of the Table of Frequency Allocations in the band in question;
(2) That harmful interference will not be caused to services operating in accordance with the Table of Frequency Allocations.
(h) Special provisions regarding the use of spectrum allocated to the fixed and land mobile services below 25 MHz by non-Federal stations.
(1) Only in the following circumstances will authority be extended to stations in the fixed service to operate on frequencies below 25 MHz.
(i) With respect to aeronautical fixed stations, only when a showing can be made that more suitable facilities are not available.
(ii) With respect to fixed stations, except aeronautical fixed stations, only to:
(A) Provide communication circuits in emergency and/or disaster situations, where safety of life and property are concerned;
(B) Provide standby and/or backup facilities to satellite and cable circuits used for international public correspondence;
(C) Provide standby and/or backup communications circuits to regular domestic communication circuits which have been disrupted by disasters and/or emergencies;
(D) Provide communication circuits wholly within the State of Alaska and the United States insular areas in the Pacific; and
(E) Provide communication circuits to support operations which are highly important to the national interest and where other means of telecommunication are unavailable.
(2) Only in the following circumstances will authority be extended to stations in the land mobile service to operate below 25 MHz.
(i) Provide communication circuits in emergency and/or disaster situations, where safety of life and property are concerned;
(ii) Provide standby and/or backup communications circuits to regular domestic communication circuits which have been disrupted by disasters and/or emergencies;
(iii) Provide communication circuits wholly within the State of Alaska and the United States insular areas in the Pacific; and
(iv) Provide communication circuits to support operations which are highly important to the national interest and where other means of telecommunication are unavailable.
(3) Except in the State of Alaska and the United States Pacific insular areas, the Commission does not intend to seek international protection for assignments made pursuant to paragraphs (h) (1)(ii) and (2) of this section; this results in the following constraints upon the circuits/assignments.
(i) The Commission will not accept responsibility for protection of the circuits from harmful interference caused by foreign operations.
(ii) In the event that a complaint of harmful interference resulting from operation of these circuits is received from a foreign source, the offending circuit(s) must cease operation on the particular frequency concerned.
(iii) In order to accommodate the situations described in paragraphs (h)(3) (i) and (ii) of this section, equipments shall be capable of transmitting and receiving on any frequency in the bands assigned to the particular operation and capable of immediate change among the frequencies.
§ 2.103   Federal use of non-Federal frequencies.
(a) Federal stations may be authorized to use non-Federal frequencies in the bands above 25 MHz (except the 758-775 MHz and 788-805 MHz public safety bands) if the Commission finds that such use is necessary for coordination of Federal and non-Federal activities: Provided, however, that:
(1) Federal operation on non-Federal frequencies shall conform with the conditions agreed upon by the Commission and NTIA (the more important of which are contained in paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3) and (a)(4) of this section);
(2) Such operations shall be in accordance with Commission rules governing the service to which the frequencies involved are allocated;
(3) Such operations shall not cause harmful interference to non-Federal stations and, should harmful interference result, that the interfering Federal operation shall immediately terminate; and
(4) Federal operation has been certified as necessary by the non-Federal licensees involved and this certification has been furnished, in writing, to the Federal agency with which communication is required.
(b) Federal stations may be authorized to use channels in the 769-775 MHz, 799-805 MHz and 4940-4990 MHz public safety bands with non-Federal entities if the Commission finds such use necessary; where:
(1) The stations are used for interoperability or part of a Federal/non-Federal shared or joint-use system;
(2) The Federal entity obtains the approval of the non-Federal (State/local government) licensee(s) or applicant(s) involved;
(3) Federal operation is in accordance with the Commission's Rules governing operation of this band and conforms with any conditions agreed upon by the Commission and NTIA; and
(4) Interoperability, shared or joint-use systems are the subject of a mutual agreement between the Federal and non-Federal entities. This section does not preclude other arrangements or agreements as permitted under part 90 of the rules. See 47 CFR 90.179 and 90.421 of this chapter.
(c) Federal stations may be authorized by the First Responder Network Authority to use channels in the 758-769 MHz and 788-799 MHz public safety bands.
§ 2.104   International Table of Frequency Allocations.
(a) The International Table of Frequency Allocations is subdivided into the Region 1 Table (column 1 of § 2.106), the Region 2 Table (column 2 of § 2.106), and the Region 3 Table (column 3 of § 2.106). The International Table is included for informational purposes only.
(b) Regions. For the allocation of frequencies the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has divided the world into three Regions 1 as shown in Figure 1 of this section and described as follows:
1 It should be noted that where the words “regions” or “regional” are without a capital “R,” they do not relate to the three Regions here defined for purposes of frequency allocation.
(1) Region 1. Region 1 includes the area limited on the east by line A (lines A, B and C are defined below) and on the west by line B, excluding any of the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran which lies between these limits. It also includes the whole of the territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Ukraine and the area to the north of the Russian Federation which lies between lines A and C.
(2) Region 2. Region 2 includes the area limited on the east by line B and on the west by line C.
(3) Region 3. Region 3 includes the area limited on the east by line C and on the west by line A, except any of the territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Ukraine and the area to the north of the Russian Federation. It also includes that part of the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran lying outside of those limits.
(4) The lines A, B and C are defined as follows:
(i) Line A. Line A extends from the North Pole along meridian 40° East of Greenwich to parallel 40° North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 60° East and the Tropic of Cancer; thence along the meridian 60° East to the South Pole.
(ii) Line B. Line B extends from the North Pole along meridian 10° West of Greenwich to its intersection with parallel 72° North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 50° West and parallel 40° North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 20° West and parallel 10° South; thence along meridian 20° West to the South Pole.
(iii) Line C. Line C extends from the North Pole by great circle arc to the intersection of parallel 65°30′ North with the international boundary in Bering Strait; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 165° East of Greenwich and parallel 50° North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 170° West and parallel 10° North; thence along parallel 10° North to its intersection with meridian 120° West; thence along meridian 120° West to the South Pole.
(c) Areas. To further assist in the international allocation of the radio spectrum, the ITU has established five special geographical areas and they are defined as follows:
(1) The term “African Broadcasting Area” means:
(i) African countries, parts of countries, territories and groups of territories situated between the parallels 40° South and 30° North;
(ii) Islands in the Indian Ocean west of meridian 60° East of Greenwich, situated between the parallel 40° South and the great circle arc joining the points 45° East, 11°30′ North and 60° East, 15° North; and
(iii) Islands in the Atlantic Ocean east of line B, situated between the parallels 40° South and 30° North.
(2) The “European Broadcasting Area” is bounded on the west by the western boundary of Region 1, on the east by the meridian 40° East of Greenwich and on the south by the parallel 30° North so as to include the northern part of Saudi Arabia and that part of those countries bordering the Mediterranean within these limits. In addition, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and those parts of the territories of Iraq, Jordan, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey and Ukraine lying outside the above limits are included in the European Broadcasting Area.
(3) The “European Maritime Area” is bounded to the north by a line extending along parallel 72° North from its intersection with meridian 55° East of Greenwich to its intersection with meridian 5° West, then along meridian 5° West to its intersection with parallel 67° North, thence along parallel 67° North to its intersection with meridian 32° West; to the west by a line extending along meridian 32° West to its intersection with parallel 30° North; to the south by a line extending along parallel 30° North to its intersection with meridian 43° East; to the east by a line extending along meridian 43° East to its intersection with parallel 60° North, thence along parallel 60° North to its intersection with meridian 55° East and thence along meridian 55° East to its intersection with parallel 72° North.
(4) The “Tropical Zone” (see Figure 1 of this section) is defined as:
(i) The whole of that area in Region 2 between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
(ii) The whole of that area in Regions 1 and 3 contained between the parallels 30° North and 35° South with the addition of:
(A) The area contained between the meridians 40° East and 80° East of Greenwich and the parallels 30° North and 40° North; and
(B) That part of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya north of parallel 30° North.
(iii) In Region 2, the Tropical Zone may be extended to parallel 33° North, subject to special agreements between the countries concerned in that Region (see Article 6 of the ITU Radio Regulations ).
(5) A sub-Region is an area consisting of two or more countries in the same Region.
(d) Categories of services and allocations. (1) Primary and secondary services. Where, in a box of the International Table in § 2.106, a band is indicated as allocated to more than one service, either on a worldwide or Regional basis, such services are listed in the following order:
(i) Services the names of which are printed in “capitals” (example: FIXED); these are called “primary” services; and
(ii) Services the names of which are printed in “normal characters” (example: Mobile); these are called “secondary” services (see paragraph (d)(3) of this section).
(2) Additional remarks shall be printed in normal characters (example: MOBILE except aeronautical mobile).
(3) Stations of a secondary service:
(i) Shall not cause harmful interference to stations of primary services to which frequencies are already assigned or to which frequencies may be assigned at a later date;
(ii) Cannot claim protection from harmful interference from stations of a primary service to which frequencies are already assigned or may be assigned at a later date; and
(iii) Can claim protection, however, from harmful interference from stations of the same or other secondary service(s) to which frequencies may be assigned at a later date.
(4) Where a band is indicated in a footnote of the International Table as allocated to a service “on a secondary basis” in an area smaller than a Region, or in a particular country, this is a secondary service (see paragraph (d)(3) of this section).
(5) Where a band is indicated in a footnote of the International Table as allocated to a service “on a primary basis”, in an area smaller than a Region, or in a particular country, this is a primary service only in that area or country.
(e) Additional allocations. (1) Where a band is indicated in a footnote of the International Table as “also allocated” to a service in an area smaller than a Region, or in a particular country, this is an “additional” allocation, i.e. an allocation which is added in this area or in this country to the service or services which are indicated in the International Table.
(2) If the footnote does not include any restriction on the service or services concerned apart from the restriction to operate only in a particular area or country, stations of this service or these services shall have equality of right to operate with stations of the other primary service or services indicated in the International Table.
(3) If restrictions are imposed on an additional allocation in addition to the restriction to operate only in a particular area or country, this is indicated in the footnote of the International Table.
(f) Alternative allocations. (1) Where a band is indicated in a footnote of the International Table as “allocated” to one or more services in an area smaller than a Region, or in a particular country, this is an “alternative” allocation, i.e. an allocation which replaces, in this area or in this country, the allocation indicated in the Table.
(2) If the footnote does not include any restriction on stations of the service or services concerned, apart from the restriction to operate only in a particular area or country, these stations of such a service or services shall have an equality of right to operate with stations of the primary service or services, indicated in the International Table, to which the band is allocated in other areas or countries.
(3) If restrictions are imposed on stations of a service to which an alternative allocation is made, in addition to the restriction to operate only in a particular country or area, this is indicated in the footnote.
(g) Miscellaneous provisions. (1) Where it is indicated in the International Table that a service or stations in a service may operate in a specific frequency band subject to not causing harmful interference to another service or to another station in the same service, this means also that the service which is subject to not causing harmful interference cannot claim protection from harmful interference caused by the other service or other station in the same service.
(2) Where it is indicated in the International Table that a service or stations in a service may operate in a specific frequency band subject to not claiming protection from another service or from another station in the same service, this means also that the service which is subject to not claiming protection shall not cause harmful interference to the other service or other station in the same service.
(3) Except if otherwise specified in a footnote, the term “fixed service”, where appearing in the International Table, does not include systems using ionospheric scatter propagation.
(h) Description of the International Table of Frequency Allocations. (1) The heading of the International Table includes three columns, each of which corresponds to one of the Regions (see paragraph (b) of this section). Where an allocation occupies the whole of the width of the Table or only one or two of the three columns, this is a worldwide allocation or a Regional allocation, respectively.
(2) The frequency band referred to in each allocation is indicated in the left-hand top corner of the part of the Table concerned.
(3) Within each of the categories specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, services are listed in alphabetical order according to the French language. The order of listing does not indicate relative priority within each category.
(4) In the case where there is a parenthetical addition to an allocation in the International Table, that service allocation is restricted to the type of operation so indicated.
(5) The footnote references which appear in the International Table below the allocated service or services apply to more than one of the allocated services, or to the whole of the allocation concerned.
(6) The footnote references which appear to the right of the name of a service are applicable only to that particular service.
(7) In certain cases, the names of countries appearing in the footnotes have been simplified in order to shorten the text.
(8) The international footnotes shown in the International Table are applicable only to the relationships between the United States and other countries (unless a reference to an international footnote has been added to the United States Table of Frequency Allocations).
§ 2.105   United States Table of Frequency Allocations.
(a) The United States Table of Frequency Allocations (United States Table) is subdivided into the Federal Table of Frequency Allocations (Federal Table, column 4 of § 2.106) and the non-Federal Table of Frequency Allocations (non-Federal Table, column 5 of § 2.106). The United States Table is based on the Region 2 Table because the relevant area of jurisdiction is located primarily in Region 2 1 ( i.e. , the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Caribbean insular areas, 2 and some of the Pacific insular areas). 3 The Federal Table is administered by NTIA 4 and the non-Federal Table is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 5
1 See 2.104(b) for definitions of the ITU Regions.
2 The operation of stations in the U.S. insular areas located in Region 2 is generally governed by the United States Table. The U.S. insular areas located in Region 2 are comprised of the Caribbean insular areas and two of the eleven Pacific insular areas. The Caribbean insular areas are Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and Navassa Island. The Pacific insular areas located in Region 2 are Johnston Atoll and Midway Atoll.
3 The operation of stations in the Pacific insular areas located in Region 3 is generally governed by the Region 3 Table ( i.e. , column 3 of § 2.106). The Pacific insular areas located in Region 3 are American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Island, and Wake Island.
4 Section 305(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. See Public Law 102-538, 106 Stat. 3533 (1992).
5 The Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) In the United States, radio spectrum may be allocated to either Federal or non-Federal use exclusively, or for shared use. In the case of shared use, the type of service(s) permitted need not be the same (e.g., Federal FIXED, non-Federal MOBILE). The terms used to designate categories of services and allocations in columns 4 and 5 of § 2.106 correspond to the terms in the ITU Radio Regulations.
(c) Any segment of the radio spectrum may be allocated to the Federal and/or non-Federal sectors either on an exclusive or shared basis for use by one or more radio services.
(1) In the case where an allocation has been made to more than one service, such services are listed in the following order:
(i) Services, the names of which are printed in “capitals” [example: FIXED]; these are called “primary” services;
(ii) Services, the names of which are printed in “normal characters” [example: Mobile]; these are called “secondary” services.
(2) Stations of a secondary service:
(i) Shall not cause harmful interference to stations of primary services to which frequencies are already assigned or to which frequencies may be assigned at a later date;
(ii) Cannot claim protection from harmful interference from stations of a primary service to which frequencies are already assigned or may be assigned at a later date; and
(iii) Can claim protection, however, from harmful interference from stations of the same or other secondary service(s) to which frequencies may be assigned at a later date.
(d) The format of the United States Table is as follows:



(1) The frequency band referred to in each allocation, column 4 for Federal operations and column 5 for non-Federal operations, is indicated in the left-hand top corner of the column. If there is no service or footnote indicated for a frequency band in column 4, then the Federal sector has no access to that band except as provided for by § 2.103. If there is no service or footnote indicated for a frequency band in column 5, then the non-Federal sector has no access to that band except as provided for by § 2.102.
(2) When the type of service(s) permitted and any applicable footnote(s) are the same for a frequency band in the Federal Table and the non-Federal Table, columns 4 and 5 are merged, indicating that the frequency band is shared between the Federal and non-Federal sectors under the same conditions.
(3) The Federal Table, given in column 4, is included for informational purposes only.
(4) In the case where there is a parenthetical addition to an allocation in the United States Table [example: FIXED-SATELLITE (space-to-earth)], that service allocation is restricted to the type of operation so indicated.
(5) The footnotes to the Allocation Table are listed in ascending numerical order in § 2.106(b) through (e); however, in some cases, a letter(s) has/have been appended after the digit(s) of a footnote number in order to preserve the sequential order. The following symbols are used to designate footnotes in the United States Table:
(i) Any footnote number in the format “5.” followed by one or more digits, e.g., 5.53, denotes an international footnote. Where an international footnote is applicable, without modification, to both Federal and non-Federal operations, the Commission places the footnote in both the Federal Table and the non-Federal Table (columns 4 and 5) and the international footnote is binding on both Federal users and non-Federal licensees. If, however, an international footnote pertains to a service allocated only for Federal or non-Federal use, the international footnote will be placed only in the relevant Table. For example, footnote 5.142 pertains only to the amateur service, and thus, footnote 5.142 is shown only in the non-Federal Table.
(ii) Any footnote in the format “US” followed by one or more digits, e.g., US7, denotes a stipulation affecting both Federal and non-Federal operations. United States footnotes appear in both the Federal Table and the non-Federal Table.
(iii) Any footnote in the format “NG” followed by one or more digits, e.g., NG2, denotes a stipulation applicable only to non-Federal operations. Non-Federal Government (non-Federal) footnotes appear solely in the non-Federal Table (column 5).
(iv) Any footnote in the format “G” followed by one or more digits, e.g., G2, denotes a stipulation applicable only to Federal operations. Federal Government (Federal) footnotes appear solely in the Federal Table (column 4).
(6) The coordinates of latitude and longitude that are listed in United States, Federal, and non-Federal footnotes are referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
(e) If a frequency or frequency band has been allocated to a radiocommunication service in the non-Federal Table, then a cross reference may be added to the pertinent FCC Rule part (column 6 of § 2.106) or, where greater specificity would be useful, to the pertinent subpart. For example, the band 849-851 MHz is allocated to the aeronautical mobile service for non-Federal use, rules for the use of the 849-851 MHz band have been added to part 22—Public Mobile Services (47 CFR part 22), and a cross reference, Public Mobile (22), has been added in column 6 of § 2.106. The exact use that can be made of any given frequency or frequency band (e.g., channeling plans, allowable emissions, etc.) is given in the FCC Rule part(s) so indicated. The FCC Rule parts in this column are not allocations, may apply to only a portion of a band, and are provided for informational purposes only. This column also may contain explanatory notes for informational purposes only.
The radio frequency devices authorized pursuant to 47 CFR part 15 are not based on allocated radio services. In the Allocation Table, the cross references to part 15 are used to note those frequency bands that are most typically associated with unlicensed use.
(f) The FCC Online Table of Frequency Allocations is updated shortly after a final rule that amends § 2.106 is released. The address for the FCC Radio Spectrum Home Page, which includes the FCC Online Table and the FCC Allocation History File, is http://www.fcc.gov/oet/spectrum.