What is Radio Spectrum?

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Course Summary

Radio spectrum is a finite resource. Without radio spectrum we would not have mobile phones. Without radio spectrum we would also be denied Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and terrestrial and satellite TV and radio broadcasting. Believe it or not we would also be without our car reversing sensors! And where would some of us be without GPS? Without radio spectrum our emergency services would not be able to communicate with each other on the move, we would lose air traffic control and our train systems would cease operating. In fact, the world as we know it would come to a grinding halt. The demands on radio spectrum have never been so high and from so many different users and services. So, who is responsible for managing this important resource and how is it distributed? Why are everyday technologies using more and more of this valuable resource and how are technological developments using spectrum more efficiently? This talk aims to facilitate an understanding of this complex and fascinating subject via a lively and interactive discussion.

Who would benefit

This session is designed for anyone with a keen interest in understanding radio spectrum and the wide range of issues surrounding the use and management of radio spectrum.

Prerequisites

This course is designed for those with no technical background.

Topic areas include

• The management of radio spectrum – from the UN to Ofcom
• Frequency bands, radio channels and frequencies
• How and why radio signals can carry information
• Bandwidths and bit rates carried over radio channels
• How radio waves travel
• How radio spectrum is used, and by whom
• The overarching importance of radio spectrum to the information/broadband eco-system
• The economic impact of radio spectrum