Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum encompasses the entire range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used in the transmission of voice, data, and images. The RF spectrum is a resource of considerable and growing economic importance. The consumer and business benefits derived from it are very significant. However, it is a limited and finite national resource and hence very precious, warranting utilization in the most efficient manner.
The multiplicity of its uses is large. Common uses are in telecommunications for fixed/mobile wireless access, transmission and satellite networks; broadcasting: radio and television, satellite services; meteorology; civil aviation; radio astronomy; radio navigation; emergency/disaster management; aeronautical and maritime communication; police and military applications etc. The trend of modern communications is towards mobility, with increasingly higher data rates/speeds, for which wireless is the only option. The requirements of captive applications are also growing. All these have resulted in greater demands/ pressure on the already scarce RF spectrum resource.
BTRC is taking necessary steps to streamline frequency assignment and its use. Sometime in the past, frequency was assigned just upon application without giving any consideration to any other relevant factor. A National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) has been formulated under the IDA funded BTRC project to address these issues.
The main task of Spectrum Division is to assign frequency under the guidance of National Frequency Allocation Plan. There is a Spectrum Management Committee consisting 16 members from concerned Ministries, Armed Forces Division, Security Agency, Law Enforcing Agency, Bangladesh Radio, Bangladesh Television, Shipping department, BUET, BTCL and Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). The committee has been formed under the section 56 (1) of Bangladesh Telecommunication Act 2001 and is headed by the Commissioner of Spectrum Division of BTRC.
National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP)
Though spectrum is a limited natural resource the domain of its need and use are enormous. It has huge demand all over the world. When same frequency is used in neighboring countries or by different technologies, there are possibilities of interference. In order to avoid such occurrence, every country has its own frequency allocation plan depending on technology based spectrum management in different
Procedure of Spectrum Allocation
One has to submit application to the Commission for the assignment of spectrum in a prescribed form duly filled up along with the payment of spectrum allotment fees and inclusion of necessary papers. The prayer is then reviewed on the basis of NFAP as per Section 56 (1) of the Bangladesh Telecommunication ACT 2001. Thereafter, it is placed to the Spectrum Management Committee (SMC) for their opinion. The SMC comprises of 16 (Sixteen) members from the university, concerned security agencies of the government, concerned ministry and representatives from BTRC. The Commissioner of the Spectrum Division and Director of the Spectrum Management Directorate are respectively the convener and member secretary of the committee. It is worth mentioning that the sole responsibility of assigning spectrum belongs to the commission. According to the decision of the commission the spectrum is assigned to the applicant. Four SMC meetings took place this year, and several important decisions regarding spectrum allocation were made in course of those meetings.
Spectrum Division has two directorates.
