What Is?

WHAT IS FREQUENCY MANAGEMENT?

Frequency Management (also known as spectrum management) involves several activities, two of the most important being assignment and allocation.

Assignment is the process of selecting operating frequencies for radio equipment, ideally in such a way as to permit each system to operate without causing harm (interference) to other systems or receiving interference from them.

Allocation is the process of determining what radio services -- what types of station, such as radar, broadcast TV or amateur -- should operate in a particular band of frequencies.

 
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WHAT IS THE IRAC?

The Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) was established in 1922 to advise the president and now advises the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on telecommunications policy, technical and other matters affecting the Federal agencies. It comprises representatives from twenty Federal agencies and has observers from several more. The IRAC has several standing subcommittees, including:

- The Spectrum Planning Subcommittee (SPS), which reviews major radio systems planned by Federal agencies to ensure that they comply with applicable Federal equipment standards and communications policy, and they can be supported in the bands which their proponents plan to use.

- The Frequency Assignment Subcommittee (FAS), which reviews proposed frequency assignments (see below) in Federal bands to determine their compatibility with existing operations and applicable rules.

- The Technical Subcommittee (TSC), which develops technical standards for Government radio equipment.

- The Radio Conference Subcommittee (RCS), which develops Government positions for upcoming international conferences.

- The Space Systems Subcommittee (SSS), which handles the coordination of Federal space systems with other domestic and foreign satellites.

- The Emergency Planning Subcommittee (EPS), which deals with emergency spectrum planning.

- The Aeronautical Standards Groups (ASG), which coordinates assignments for Federal aircraft.

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WHAT IS THE NTIA?

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is an element of the Department of Commerce which has among its responsibilities the job of exercising the President's authority under The Communications Act of 1934, As Amended for regulating use of the radio spectrum by agencies of the Federal Government. It is distinct from ORFM in that it is responsible, through the Secretary of Commerce, to the President. ORFM is responsible to the Secretary, just as the frequency management offices of the other agencies are responsible to the heads of their respective organizations.

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WHAT IS THE ITU?

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is a specialized U.N. agency which coordinates telecommunications matters among member countries. Use of the radio spectrum is largely coordinated through the Radiocommunications Sector (ITU-R), which develops technical coordination criteria and standards for such use, and through various periodic conferences attended by member nations of ITU. Perhaps the best known of these is the series of World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs, formerly known as World Administrative Radio Conferences. ) The ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

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What is CITEL?

  The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission endeavors to make telecommunications a catalyst for the dynamic development of the Americas by working with governments and the private sector. Under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS), it resides in Washington, DC, USA. It has 34 Member States and over 200 Associate Members. It has been entrusted by the Heads of State at the Summits of the Americas with specific mandates to intensify its activities in key areas.

  CITEL has technical autonomy to perform its functions within the limits prescribed by the OAS Charter, its statutes and the mandates of the General Assembly. Its objectives include facilitating and promoting the continuous development of telecommunications in the Hemisphere.

  CITEL has a Permanent Executive Committee (COM/CITEL) consisting of eleven members, and two Permanent Consultative Committees, Permanent Consultative Committee I: Public Telecommunication Services, and Permanent Consultative Committee II: Radiocommunications and Broadcasting whose members are all Member States of the Organization, Associate Members that represent various private telecommunications associations or companies, permanent observers and regional and international organizations.

  The mandates for the two permanent committees and the Steering Committee are as follows:

  Permanent Consultative Committee I: Public Telecommunication Services

  PCC.I: Focuses on standards coordination, planning, financing, construction, operations, maintenance, technical assistance, equipment certification processes, rate principles, and other matters related to the use, implementation, and operation of public telecommunications services in the Member States.

  Permanent Consultative Committee II: Radiocommunications Including Broadcasting

  PCC.II: Deals with standards coordination, planning, and full and efficient use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, as well as matters pertaining to radiocommunication services in the Member States. Acts as a technical advisory body within the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission with respect to standards coordination, planning, operation, and technical assistance for the broadcasting service in its different forms.

    Steering Committee

  The Steering Committee is formed by the Chair and Vice-Chair of COM/CITEL and the Chairs of the PCCs. The Committee is responsible for proposing to COM/CITEL the review of CITEL's program of activities to ensure that the Commission is responding to of its members' needs, assuring the continued effective and efficient use of resources and, when it deems necessary, to propose additional initiatives for the COM/CITEL agenda. The Executive Secretary acts as Secretary of the Committee.

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