Information relating to the major bands used in RF communications can be found below. Each band is defined by the country's spectrum regulator and while each regulator works to harmonise bands between countries through the work of the ITU, the specifics of each RF band still differ between countries.
Within each allocation a band plan is defined which sets out the conditions in which users can operate radiofrequency transmitters. These conditions include:
- Licencing and coordination requirements
- Channel sizing, guard bands, and occupancy
- Power and spectral limits
- Minimum antenna sizing
- Geographic restrictions and embargoes
Select a band below to learn more.
| Band | Description |
|---|---|
| 38 GHz | The 38 GHz ITU wireless band, as defined by the ITU Radio Regulations ITU-R F.749, is a frequency band allocated for radio communication services. This band, also known as the IEEE Ka band, ranges from 36 to 40.5 GHz. It is primarily used for fixed wireless communication, such as point-to-point microwave links for backhaul networks. The high... |
| 42 GHz | The 42 GHz ITU wireless band, as defined by the ITU Radio Regulations ITU-R F.2005, is a frequency band allocated for the use of radio communication services. This band, specifically ranging from 40.5 to 43.5 GHz, is designated for fixed and mobile services. Use of this band is subject to certain conditions to avoid harmful interference with the... |
| 60-80 GHz | The 60-80 GHz ITU wireless band, as defined by the ITU Radio Regulations ITU-R F.2006 and ITU-R F.1497, is a frequency band allocated for wireless communication within the range of 55.78 to 85.875 GHz. This band, also known as the E-band, is particularly suited for high-capacity wireless networks due to its large bandwidth and small wavelength. The... |
| 90 GHz | The 90 GHz ITU wireless band, as defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations ITU-R F.2004, is a frequency band that falls within the millimetre wave portion of the radio spectrum, specifically between 92 to 95 GHz. This band is designated for fixed services, meaning it is primarily used for point-to-point wireless... |
| 61 GHz | The 61 GHz ISM band, as defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band, is a frequency band that falls within the millimetre-wave section of the electromagnetic spectrum. This band is designated for unlicensed use, meaning it can be utilised without a government-issued... |