§ 2.101 - Frequency and wavelength bands.

§ 2.101 Frequency and wavelength bands.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 85 FR 38632, June 26, 2020.

(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]

Band number

Table 1 to Paragraph (b)

Band No.	Symbols	Frequency range (lower limit exclusive, upper limit inclusive)	Corresponding metric subdivision Metric abbreviations for the bands
4	VLF	3 to 30 kHz	Myriametric wavesB. Mam
5	LF	30 to 300 kHz	Kilometric wavesB. km
6	MF	300 to 3 000 kHz	Hectometric wavesB. hm
7	HF	3 to 30 MHz	Decametric wavesB. dam
8	VHF	30 to 300 MHz	Metric wavesB. m
9	UHF	300 to 3 000 MHz	Decimetric wavesB. dm
10	SHF	3 to 30 GHz	Centimetric wavesB. cm
11	EHF	30 to 300 GHz	Millimetric wavesB. mm
12		300 to 3 000 GHz	Decimillimetric 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 (10³), M = mega (10⁶), G = giga (10⁹).

(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.

Band No. Symbols (terms)² Frequency range (lower limit exclusive, upper limit inclusive) Corresponding metric subdivision Metric abbreviations for the bands 4VLF (very low frequency)3 to 30 kHzMyriametric wavesB.Mam 5LF (low frequency)30 to 300 kHzKilometric wavesB.km 6MF (medium frequency)300 to 3,000 kHzHectometric wavesB.hm 7HF (high frequency)3 to 30 MHzDecametric wavesB.dam 8VHF (very high frequency)30 to 300 MHzMetric wavesB.m 9UHF (ultra high frequency)300 to 3,000 MHzDecimetric wavesB.dm 10SHF (super high frequency)3 to 30 GHzCentimetric wavesB.cm 11EHF (extremely high frequency)30 to 300 GHzMillimetric wavesB.mm 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 (10³), M = mega (10⁶), G = giga (10⁹).

[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]

Footnotes - 2.101

^[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.