View all text of Subpart B [§ 2.100 - § 2.108]

§ 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)

Band No. Symbols Frequency range (lower limit exclusive, upper limit inclusive) Corresponding metric subdivision 4VLF3 to 30 kHzMyriametric waves. 5LF30 to 300 kHzKilometric waves. 6MF300 to 3 000 kHzHectometric waves. 7HF3 to 30 MHzDecametric waves. 8VHF30 to 300 MHzMetric waves. 9UHF300 to 3 000 MHzDecimetric waves. 10SHF3 to 30 GHzCentimetric waves. 11EHF30 to 300 GHzMillimetric waves. 12300 to 3 000 GHzDecimillimetric waves.

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.

[70 FR 46583, Aug. 10, 2005; 70 FR 53074, Sept. 7, 2005; 75 FR 62933, Oct. 13, 2010; 80 FR 38823, July 7, 2015; 85 FR 38632, June 26, 2020]