Regulatory bodies divide this finite natural resource into specific frequency bands allocated for cellular networks, radio broadcasts, and satellite links. Telecommunications companies bid billions for exclusive rights to transmit over specific blocks of these frequencies. Without strict management, overlapping transmissions would cause destructive interference and drop connections.
We acquired an extra 20 megahertz of spectrum in the mid-band auction to relieve congestion on our urban macro cells.
Also heard as
- radio spectrum
Related terms
Frequency band
A defined contiguous range of radio frequencies allocated for a specific purpose.
Frequency assignment
The authorization given to a station to use a specific radio frequency under strict technical parameters.
Band
A specific, contiguous range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum allocated for a particular use.