Frequency assignment explained

Frequency assignment is the authorization of use of a particular radio frequency.

In Article 1.18 of the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR),^[1] the process is defined as "Authorization given by a frequency administration for a radio station to use a radio frequency or radio frequency channel under specified conditions".

Daily impact

Every day, users rely on assignment of frequencies for efficient use of such devices as:

cell phone
cordless phone
garage door opener
car key remote control
broadcast television and audio
Standard time broadcast
vehicle-speed radar, air traffic radar, weather radar
mobile radio
Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation
satellite TV broadcast reception; also backend signal dissemination
Microwave oven
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi
Zigbee
RFID devices such as active badges, passports, wireless gasoline token, no-contact credit-cards, and product tags
toll-road payment vehicle transponders
Citizen's band radio and Family Radio Service
Radio control, including Radio-controlled model aircraft and vehicles
wireless microphones and musical instrument links

Frequency assignment is also a special term, used by national frequency administrations. For other terms see table below.

+ ITU-terms pertaining to frequency regulation

Frequency
distribution to:

ITU languages

ITU RR
(article)

-align="center" style="background:#A0E0A0;"

French ! English

Spanish

Arabic

Chinese

Russian

attribution
(attribuer)

allocation
(to allocate)

attribucion
(attribuir)

распределение
(распределять)

1.16

Regions or countries

allotisement
(allotir)

allotment
(to allot)

adjudication
(adjudicar)

выделение
(выделять)

1.17

Radio stations

assignation
(assigner)

assignment
(to assign)

asignacion
(assignar)

присвоение
(присваивать)

1.18

ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.18, definition: assignment (of a radio frequency or radio frequency channel)