Definition

frequency band

What is a frequency band?

In telecommunications, a frequency band -- sometimes called a band -- refers to a specific range of frequencies in the electromagnetic frequency spectrum assigned to certain applications. This spectrum is divided among ranges from very low frequencies (VLF) to tremendously high frequencies (THF). Each frequency band has a defined upper and lower frequency limit.

A frequency band is simply the range or interval of radio frequencies used to transmit a signal over a telecom network. All bands -- of which there are many -- are identified by their lower and upper limits. All these various frequency bands are part of the overall electromagnetic spectrum. The energy transmitted over electromagnetic waves is regulated based on frequency bands.

Radio frequency spectrum bands.
Frequency band refers to the range or interval of radio frequencies used to transmit a signal over a telecom network.

Different frequency bands are allocated for wireless signal transmission for different applications. This enables these various bands to coexist and various applications to use the bands without chaos. For example, both cellphones and car radios send wireless signals over the available electromagnetic spectrum. However, they do so over different frequency bands so neither are affected by interference and can continue to operate the way they are supposed to.

Diagram of how to calculate wavelength.
Frequency and wavelength are inversely related, so the higher the frequency the lower the wavelength.

Designating frequency bands

The electromagnetic spectrum is a set of possible frequency bands or electromagnetic radiations available for various real-world wireless applications. These bands are arranged in ascending order of frequency -- lowest to highest measured in multiples of Hertz -- and named for their frequency limits -- upper and lower -- wavelength. Also, frequency and wavelength are inversely related, meaning the higher the frequency, the lower its wavelength.

Each frequency band, typically identified by megahertz (MHz) rating, is assigned a number by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The spectrum starts from ITU band number 1, which is assigned to the frequency band named extremely low frequency (ELF) and goes all the way to ITU band number 12, which is assigned to the terahertz or tremendously high frequency (THF) frequency band.

The various frequency bands in the electromagnetic spectrum and their names (as per ITU naming convention) are as follows:

Frequency band ITU band number Frequency limits (lower to upper) Wavelength (meters)
Extremely low frequency (ELF) 1 3 to 30 hertz (Hz) 10,000 to 100,000 kilometers (km)
Super low frequency (SLF) 2 30 to 300 Hz 1,000 to 10,000 km
Ultra low frequency (ULF) 3 300 Hz to 3 kilohertz (kHz) 100 to 1,000 km
Very low frequency (VLF) 4 3 to 30 kHz 10 to 100 km
Low frequency (LF) 5 30 to 300 kHz 1 to 10 km
Medium frequency (MF) 6 300 kHz to 3 MHz 100 to 1,000 meters (m)
High frequency (HF)
Also known as shortwave radio or decameter band
7 3 to 30 MHz 10 to 100 m
Very high frequency (VHF) 8 30 to 300 MHz 1 to 10 m
Ultra high frequency (UHF) 9 300 MHz to 3 gigahertz (GHz) 10 to 100 centimeters (cm)
Super high frequency (SHF)
Also known as centimeter band
10 3 to 30 GHz 1 to 10 cm
Extremely high frequency (EHF)
Also known as the millimeter band
11 30 to 300 GHz 1 to 10 millimeters (mm)
Terahertz or tremendously high frequency (THF)
Also known as the submillimeter band
12 300 GHz to 3 terahertz (THz) Less than 10 mm

The electromagnetic spectrum consists of many subranges of frequency bands, such as radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, infrared rays and gamma rays. Each subrange falls under a specific frequency band.

The ITU helps regulate the transmission of frequency bands along with any regulatory laws of the country in which they're used. For example, domestic use of the radio spectrum is regulated by national agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. Regulatory organizations assign each transmission source a band of operation, a transmitter radiation pattern and a maximum transmitter power. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) also contributes to frequency band designation and is responsible for designating bands used for radar, terrestrial and satellite applications.

Frequency band applications

The various applications of each frequency band are as follows:

Frequency band Applications and uses
Extremely low frequency
  • Underwater communications
  • Oil and gas pipeline transportation and pigging (pipeline maintenance, inspection, purging, etc.)
Super low frequency
  • Submarine communications
Ultra low frequency
  • Military applications
  • Through-the-earth (TTE) signal transmission applications, e.g., mining
Very low frequency
  • Submarine communications
  • Navigation beacons
Low frequency
  • Maritime mobile broadcasting
  • Navigational systems
  • Radio broadcasting (AM in Europe and parts of Africa and Asia)
Medium frequency
  • Land broadcasting
  • Maritime mobile broadcasting
  • Radio broadcasting (AM in Europe and parts of Africa and Asia)
High frequency
  • Fixed broadcasting
  • Mobile broadcasting
  • Aeronautical broadcasting
  • Marine mobile broadcasting
  • Amateur radio
  • Radio broadcasting
Very high frequency
  • Fixed broadcasting
  • Mobile broadcasting
  • Aeronautical broadcasting
  • Marine mobile broadcasting
  • Amateur radio
  • Radio broadcasting (FM)
  • Radio navigation
Ultra high frequency
  • Fixed broadcasting
  • Mobile communications
  • WiFi
  • Walkie talkies
  • GPS
  • Aeronautical broadcasting
  • Marine mobile broadcasting
  • Amateur radio
  • Television
  • Radio navigation
  • Meteorological communications
  • Space communications
Super high frequency
  • Fixed broadcasting and point-to-point communications (point-to-point communication using parabolic dishes and horn antennas)
  • Mobile broadcasting
  • Radio navigation
  • Space and satellite communications
  • Radar Microwaves
Extremely high frequency
  • Amateur radio
  • Satellite communications
  • Earth and space exploration
  • Remote sensing
  • Astronomy
  • 5G mobile
Terahertz or tremendously high frequency
  • Material characterization
  • X-ray alternative to produce high-resolution images
  • Astronomy

More on the THF frequency band

Waves in the THF frequency band are known as terahertz waves, T-waves or T-rays. The upper limit is usually 3,000 GHz or 3 THz (1 THz = 1,000 GHz) although some sources designate it as 30 THz. Terahertz radiation begins at a wavelength of around a millimeter and proceeds into shorter wavelengths.

T-waves can penetrate thin layers of many non-conducting materials, such as paper, wood, clothing, plastic and ceramics, which makes them suitable for producing high-res images of the interiors of solid objects. The rays can also penetrate through the human body, and therefore provide an alternative to X-rays. That said, T-rays have a longer wavelength than X-rays so they provide lower-resolution images than X-rays. In the air, T-waves are attenuated to zero within just a few meters, which is why they are unsuitable for terrestrial radio communication.

Learn more about wireless frequency bands, including the difference between licensed and unlicensed bands.

This was last updated in May 2023

Continue Reading About frequency band

Dig Deeper on Mobile and wireless networks

Unified Communications
Mobile Computing
Data Center
ITChannel
Close