NTIA/OSM Spectrum Use Summary (1710

Spectrum Use Summary (1710 - 3100 MHz)

Compiled as of August 11, 1994

This document represents an overview of Federal and nonfederal spectrum use. In order to serve its purpose as a quick reference, its length has been limited. Therefore, it is not all inclusive in its portrayal of U.S. spectrum requirements or its representation of the allocation table.

Uses are stated in terms of general functions and actual equipment names are not specified. Federal systems and missions which would have necessitated classification of the summary have been omitted, though they represent significant Federal requirements. Also, Federal agencies lease many services from private sector providers. As written, this summary indicates these uses only as nongovernment use of the frequency spectrum. Furthermore, no attempt has been made to evaluate the level of investment of funds in the uses that are discussed.

Allocations, by footnote, to very limited locations have generally been omitted. The summaries of Federal uses have been written to emphasize, to the greatest extent possible, the missions performed, as opposed to the agencies that perform them.

1710-1850 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; Radio Astronomy (FN US256 1718.8-1722.2); Government Allocation and Use; FIXED; MOBILE; SPACE OPERATION (FN G42 1762-1842); Radio Astronomy (FN US256 1718.8-1722.2); 1710-1850 MHz is the predominant Federal medium-capacity line-of-sight fixed service band. Fixed links are operated by Federal agencies for voice, data, and/or video communications where commercial service is unavailable, excessively expensive, or cannot meet required reliability. Applications include law enforcement networks, and control links for various power, land, water, and electric-power management systems. Other specialized fixed links include video relay, data relay, and timing distribution signals. Growth averages about 400 new assignments per year.; Specific agency applications of the fixed service include: FAA remote data transmission in support of aviation, Army tactical radio relay systems, Department of Agriculture and Interior backbone links for control of land mobile radio systems necessary in fire fighting, law enforcement and disaster control within national forests and for provision of voice and data connections between sites where commercial service is not available, and Departments of Treasury and Justice microwave links related to law enforcement.; One example of a wide area fixed network is the Department of Energy's use of this band for supervision, control, and protection of power administration operated electrical power transmission systems and activities supporting nuclear weapons development. Power administration microwave must be capable of carrying hundreds of radio channels per system. The channels are used for high speed relaying, supervisory control, load control, telemetering, data acquisition, land-mobile radio dispatching, operations and maintenance. The nuclear test facilities backbone microwave systems serve sites at greater than 10 miles and are more efficient in this band than in lower or higher bands. This band also allows for a greater range pability for robot control and video requirements. The present system connects all Federal power marketing control facilities in the western half of the U.S. Common equipment exists with the nongovernment sector allowing interconnectivity for critical communications dealing with all aspects of generating and distributing power.; This band is also used for a variety of mobile applications, including airborne telemetry, telecommand, video and data links automated target scoring, and air combat maneuvering instrumentation. Many military aeronautical mobile systems depend on frequencies in this band. Border surveillance through the use of aerostats is supported by narrowband uplink and downlink telemetry transmissions.; The Air Force also uses the band for space telemetry, command and control. Uplink frequencies between 1761 and 1842 MHz are heavily used in certain locations in conjunction with a 2200-2290 MHz downlink. Use of these systems has national security implications. Telemetry, and telecommand and control of the NASA Space Shuttle is conducted on space-to-space links in this band.; This band is also used by the USCG for vessel traffic safety systems, the VHF National Distress System and remote distress and safety communications and control networks.; Radio astronomy observations are made of the 1720.530 MHz spectral line of the OH molecule. These observations are crucial to understanding the interstellar medium and star formation.; NTIA has proposed reallocating the 1710-1755 MHz portion of this band for nonfederal use by January 2004 under conditions that will permit some Federal systems to continue to operate.

1850-1990 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; FIXED; MOBILE; Private fixed microwave. This band is used to provide fixed point-to-point voice, data, telemetry and control services for private (non-common-carrier) companies. Typical users include electric and gas utilities, police and fire departments, and local governments. The band is heavily used with considerable congestion existing in and around the urban areas and the Gulf of Mexico coast.; The FCC has recently released a Report & Order reserving the 1850-1990 MHz band for future emerging technologies on a coprimary basis with fixed and mobile services.; Government Allocation and Use

1990-2110 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; FIXED; MOBILE; Space Research and Earth Exploration-Satellite (FN US90 2025-2110); Auxiliary broadcasting, Cable television, Domestic public fixed. This band is heavily used by TV broadcasters for one way transmission services such as: portable van and helicopter mounted transmissions of video from remote news events; studio-to-transmitter links; and, intercity relay of video programming.; Government Allocation and Use; Space Research and Earth Exploration-Satellite (FN US90 2025-2110); NASA's global ground network and TDRSS operations from 2025-2110 MHz are essential to NASA Earth exploration, space operations, and space research activities. This use includes earth-to-space and space-to-space transmissions. Over 50 U.S. space missions, and, consistent with international agreements, additional foreign missions will be supported by NASA in the next five years. There will be varying degrees of support from launch and orbital transfer to full-time data relay. These telecommunications links are made available to private sector expendable launch vehicle operations. 123 satellites from nine countries are planned for or are operational in the 2025-2120 MHz and 2200-2290 MHz bands. These missions comprise 341 planned or existing assignments, not including earth stations.; This band is also used for uplinks for the GOES weather satellite, supporting weather prediction efforts.

2110-2200 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; FIXED; MOBILE; The 2110-2130 MHz portion, paired with 2160-2180 MHz, is used by common carriers for "light-haul" radio relay routes, for control and repeater links used with land mobile base stations, and by cellular telephone companies for cell site-to-cell site links. The 2130-2150 MHz portion, paired with 2180-2200 MHz, is used by private companies (non-common-carriers) for applications similar to those in the 2110-2130 MHz band. The 2150-2160 MHz portion is used for omnidirectional transmission of point to multipoint vestigial sideband amplitude modulated video signals. This band is congested in many of the urban areas.; The FCC has recently released a Report & Order reserving the 2110-2150 and 2160-2200 MHz band for future emerging technologies on a coprimary basis with fixed and mobile services.; Government Allocation and Use; Space Research (FN US252 2110-2120); NASA uses the 2110-2120 MHz portion of this band for Deep Space Network earth-to-space command links. These activities support or will support Pioneers 6 through 12, Voyagers 1 and 2, MAGELLAN, GALILEO, and ULYSSES.

2200-2290 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; Space Research, Space Operations, and Earth Exploration-Satellite (FN US303 2285-2290); Government Allocation and Use; FIXED; MOBILE; SPACE RESEARCH; SPACE OPERATIONS (FN G101); EARTH EXPLORATION-SATELLITE (FN G101); This band is predominantly used for Federal terrestrial and space telemetry systems. Space applications include the NASA Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) and the Air Force Space Ground Link Subsystem (SGLS). These two systems provide the telemetry, telecommand and control for all Federal satellite systems and some activities with national security implications. Telemetry, tracking and control functions for a new satellite ALEXIS will be performed in this band as part of U.S. treaty verification efforts. Terrestrial telemetry is predominantly air-to-ground links for various operational and experimental systems. Growth averages about 80 new assignments per year.; TDRSS operations from 2200-2290 MHz are essential to NASA Earth exploration, space operations, and space research activities. This use includes space-to-Earth and space-to-space transmissions. Over 50 U.S. space missions, and, consistent with international agreements, additional foreign missions will be supported by NASA in the next five years. There will be varying degrees of support from launch and orbital transfer to full-time data relay. These telecommunications links are made available to private sector expendable launch vehicle operations. 123 satellites from nine countries are planned for or are operational in the 2025-2120 MHz and 2200-2290 MHz bands. The band also supports similar space-to-Earth and space-to-space telemetry, telecommand and control for military satellites through the Air Force SGLS system.; Terrestrial telemetry is heavily used in this band for such purposes as nuclear testing, airborne weapons testing, aircraft flight testing, and a wide variety of experimental and research projects. Most of this equipment was moved to this band during the 1970's, at significant expense to the Federal Government, to reaccommodate requirements in lower bands for other uses. Other mobile applications include narrowband uplinks and downlinks in conjunction with radar laden tethered balloons. These balloons are used in law enforcement and drug interdiction missions.; Fixed microwave systems are also in this band for control of land mobile radio systems to provide voice and data connections between sites where commercial service is not available, and where the 1710-1850 MHz band is saturated.

2290-2300 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; SPACE RESEARCH; Government Allocation and Use; SPACE RESEARCH; FIXED; MOBILE; NASA uses this band for Deep Space Network space-to-earth telemetry. These activities support or will support Pioneers 6 through 12, Voyagers 1 and 2, MAGELLAN, GALILEO, and ULYSSES. Radio Astronomy observations are also conducted in this band.

2300-2310 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; Amateur; Amateur weak signal modes ( 2304), other modes throughout the band.; Government Allocation and Use; RADIOLOCATION; Fixed; Mobile; This band is essential to the protection of deep space network receivers operating from 2290-2300 MHz.; The Air Force uses this band for mobile radiolocation (radionavigation system test position data).; NTIA has proposed reallocating this band for nonfederal use by January 1996.

2310-2390 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; MOBILE; Heavy use of this band for telemetry is predicted.; The FCC has proposed allocating the 2310-2360 MHz portion of this band for Broadcast-Satellite for high quality radio.; Government Allocation and Use; RADIOLOCATION; MOBILE; Fixed; Heavy use of this band for telemetry is predicted. Footnote US276 is being modified to provide for telemetry communications by fully operational launch vehicles.; The Air Force and Navy use this band for aeronautical telemetry. Aeronautical telemetry needs extensive spectrum, and minimal in-band and adjacent-band interference. The 1435-1525 MHz band is filled and new systems are being moved into this band.; The Air Force uses the band for high-power long-range surveillance radars and air traffic control radars, while the Army and the Department of Energy use it for air/ground ranging system tracking.; NASA uses this band for the Venus Radar Mapper (VRM) synthetic aperture radar and associated telemetry. The National Science Foundation and NASA use planetary radars in coordination with research universities. Observations at the National Astronomy and Ionospheric Center (Arecibo) occupy 20 MHz centered around 2380 MHz.

2390-2450 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; Amateur; Amateur Satellite (FN664); Amateur mixed modes (2390-2400, 2410-2450). Amateur satellite operation (space-to-Earth) occur in accordance with footnote 664 from 2400-2450 MHz.; Government Allocation and Use; The Air Force uses the band for high-power long-range surveillance radars and air traffic control radars. However, because of the operation of tens of millions of microwave ovens and other industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) equipment little use is made of this band and little growth is expected.; There is some packet radio development by the Army going on in this band.; On August 10, 1994, NTIA deleted all government allocations in the 2390-2400 MHz and 2402-2417 MHz portions of this band.

2450-2483.5 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; FIXED; MOBILE; Radiolocation; This band is used for fixed and portable transmission of video by TV broadcasters for remote news events. In addition, the band is used for private company fixed service radio relay transmission of voice and data transmissions by private companies.; Government Allocation and Use; Radiolocation (FN41); The U.S. Customs Service (Treasury) uses this band on a secondary basis for law enforcement related radiolocation.

2483.5-2500 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; RADIO-DETERMINATION SATELLITE; Though this is the downlink band for the Radiodetermination Satellite Service, private company fixed stations and TV broadcaster portable stations that were in operation prior to 1985 may continue to operate on a primary basis. These are multichannel equipment having 10 channels.; Government Allocation and Use; Radiolocation (FN41)

2500-2655 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; BROADCASTING SATELLITE; FIXED; Space Research and Earth Exploration-Satellite (FN720 2640-2655); Auxiliary broadcasting. The 2500-2686 MHz portion of this band is used for omni-directional transmission of point to multipoint vestigial sideband amplitude modulated signals (multipoint MDS) that can be contained within 6 MHz channel; Government Allocation and Use; Space Research and Earth Exploration-Satellite (FN720 2640-2655); NASA performs passive space research and earth-exploration satellite observations that allow measurement of soil moisture and of coastal ocean salinity.

2655-2690 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; BROADCASTING SATELLITE; FIXED; Earth Exploration Satellite; Radio Astronomy; Space Research; Auxiliary broadcasting. Private fixed microwave (above 2680 MHz). There are also fixed multipoint MDS and instructional television operations in this band.; Government Allocation and Use; Earth Exploration Satellite; Radio Astronomy; Space Research; This band is used in the U.S. and other countries for radio astronomy continuum measurements. It is used in addition to the 2690-2700 MHz band, which is too narrow to conduct some measurements. NASA performs passive space research and earth-exploration satellite observations. These observations allow measurement of soil moisture and of coastal ocean salinity.

2690-2700 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; RADIO ASTRONOMY; EARTH EXPLORATION SATELLITE; SPACE RESEARCH; Government Allocation and Use; RADIO ASTRONOMY; EARTH EXPLORATION SATELLITE; SPACE RESEARCH; This band is used extensively in the U.S. and other countries for radio astronomy. It is an excellent band for continuum measurement, because the galactic background continuum radiation is low. Observations of galactic and extragalactic radio sources at these frequencies help to define their spectra, which gives information on the physical parameters of the radiating source. The band is also being used by the U.S. Naval Observatory interferometer at Green Bank, WV. This program is used for accurate position determinations by the Navy. The band is also used for solar observations by the Air Force Radio Solar Telescope Network. NASA performs passive space research and earth-exploration satellite observations protected under Footnote US246. These observations allow measurement of soil moisture and of coastal ocean salinity.

2700-2900 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; Government Allocation and Use; AERONAUTICAL RADIONAVIGATION; METEOROLOGICAL AIDS; Radiolocation; This band is used predominantly for air-surveillance radars. It is a critical safety-of-flight band for airport surveillance radars (ASRs) to provide aircraft position information for air traffic control in the vicinity of airports. Similar use is for military Ground Control Approach radars (GCAs). The Air Force and Navy use it for high-power long-range surveillance radars and air traffic control radars. NEXRAD is also being used here when not in conflict with the ASRs. Weather radars are also operated in this band in support of flight safety. NASA uses the band for tracking for range safety purposes (radiolocation), and for atmospheric research (meteorological aids).

2900-3100 MHz: Non-Government Allocation and Use; MARITIME RADIONAVIGATION; Radiolocation; This band is primarily used for maritime radars and radar beacons (racons). Radars of this type are required on cargo and passenger ships by international treaty (SOLAS) for safety purposes. Racons operate in conjunction with maritime radars to provide electronic markers to identify maritime obstructions and navigation points.; Government Allocation and Use; MARITIME RADIONAVIGATION; Radiolocation; Federal agencies use this band heavily for shipborne radionavigation radars, vessel traffic systems, and racons.; The military uses this band for high-power 3-D long-range surveillance radars and air traffic control radars.; Also, NEXRAD will operate from 2900-3000 MHz.; NASA performs airborne measurements of rainfall rates over selected ocean areas.

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