The Radio Frequency Spectrum, and Why it's Important

The Radio Frequency Spectrum, and Why it’s Important

From Navy and Marine Corps Spectrum Office Europe and Africa

The radio frequency spectrum is the portion of electromagnetic energy which can be used by electronic devices to communicate wirelessly. Common wireless devices and systems include hand-held “walkie-talkies,” remotely controlled toys, satellite television, AM/FM radio, telephones and cell phones, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers, baby monitors, and computers. All of these use the RF spectrum to connect one device to another using wireless communication.

Even though we cannot see, hear, or touch the RF spectrum, it is classified as a natural resource which belongs to each country within its sovereign borders. As with most natural resources, the RF spectrum has monetary value because it is finite— there is a limited amount to distribute and we cannot make more of it. If everyone could choose any frequency they want to use, eventually there would be nothing but interference between all the systems and users, with no actual communication happening.

In order to reduce the potential for interference, all governments have adopted the practice of dividing the RF spectrum into bands (e.g. 2MHz30MHz) and then designating a specific purpose for each band (e.g. cellular telephones). Each sovereign nation has their own way of allocating the RF Spectrum, and they don’t necessarily share commonality with the U.S.

In the last few years, the explosion of commercial communication technologies has taxed spectrum resources, often resulting in sharing between military, government, and commercial organizations. Domestic companies, international companies, and civil agencies are putting pressure on their governments to allocate even more spectrum to commercial applications.

The ability of naval forces to support diverse operations and crises is largely dependent on their ability to communicate. Special forces, submarines, battle groups and Marines are often first to arrive in a theater and must rely on the RF spectrum to remain highly maneuverable, flexible, and tactically effective.

In accordance with international law, U.S. Forces are obligated to follow Host Nation procedures regarding the use of RF emitting equipment from these installations. Refusal to comply with Host Nation regulations and policies have legal, political, and monetary ramifications.

Due to an increased use of technology by both non-U.S. militaries and local civilian entities near military bases we share with Host Nations, RF interference has increased. Host Nations are paying closer attention to U.S. Forces’ activities on these installations.

Units deploying to U.S. Navy operated facilities in Europe and Africa must notify their Service Frequency Management Office representatives to submit required frequency requests prior to the unit’s arrival in theater. The Navy’s FMO is Navy and Marine Corps Spectrum Office Europe/Africa in Naples.

For personal use of devices by service members and their families, the user must also be aware that devices from the U.S. shipped in HHG may not be authorized in the country they moved to.

Each U.S. Navy operated facility has an Installation Spectrum Manager (ISM), who is able to assist U.S. Forces acquire authorizations by coordinating with the Host Nation Base Commander and NMCSO EUR/AF and answer questions. The Sigonella ISM is Mr. Matthew Arnold. Frequency requests that are not submitted to NMCSO EUR/AF prior to arrival at the local installation cannot be approved by the base ISM. Base ISMs are not permitted to authorize use of RF emitting equipment until proper coordination with the appropriate Host Nation has been completed.

Please do not degrade naval operations and agreements we have with our allies! If you have questions or would like to learn more, contact the Mr. Matthew Arnold, NAS Sigonella Installation Spectrum Manager, at DSN 624-2269 or the Navy and Marine Corps Spectrum Office Europe at 626-2004/3738/5354.