{{multiple issues, {{original research, date=January 2015
{{primary sources, date=January 2015
Radio
Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmi ...
or
wireless
Wireless communication (or just wireless, when the context allows) is the transfer of information between two or more points without the use of an electrical conductor, optical fiber or other continuous guided medium for the transfer. The most ...
systems use radio frequencies or
spectrum
A spectrum (plural ''spectra'' or ''spectrums'') is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary, without gaps, across a continuum. The word was first used scientifically in optics to describe the rainbow of colors ...
as the medium for transmitting information from one location to the other. Traditionally each user is given dedicated frequencies on a long term basis. For example, broadcast stations and public safety organizations have dedicated full-time frequencies. Similarly, cellular carriers also have dedicated full-time frequencies that they assign to individual users for the duration of a call.
Interruptible spectrum is a concept for sharing spectrum among multiple prioritized users. It is based on interruptible concepts in other public utilities, mainly the electric power industry, where the commodity is made available at a low price provided that it can be preempted under stated circumstances by other users. The application of this concept to spectrum was first proposed in
conference paperby
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisdicti ...
(FCC) staffers Mark Bykowsky and Michael Marcus in 2002.
In 2003, FCC proposed i
Docket 03-108to use interruptible spectrum for sharing public safety spectrum that has low average use but high peak use with commercial users subject to immediate interruption. In 2004 it decided to implement this proposal by in the narrow context of public safety users sharing with only other local and state government users.
In 2006, FCC proposed i
Docket 06-229that then could be used for sharing public safety spectrum with commercial users in former UHF-TV spectrum after the transition to
digital television
Digital television (DTV) is the transmission of television signals using digital encoding, in contrast to the earlier analog television technology which used analog signals. At the time of its development it was considered an innovative adva ...
. In its August 2007 Docket 06-229 decision, FCC
votedto implement the 700 MHz Public/Private Partnership, an implementation of interruptible spectrum concepts in the 700 MHz band subject to a minimum bid of $1.4 billion in the band auction. It later designated the
Public Safety Spectrum Trust to represent public safety interests in this band and negotiate with the auction winner for a mutual agreement on band use and public and private access to it.
Telecommunications in the United States