Spectrum Allocations above 40 GHz

The 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference (WARC-79) significantly revised the International Table of Frequency Allocations above 40 GHz to reflect a high level of interest and activity in this portion of the spectrum. The new Table of Allocations was created with the objectives of stimulating development of this spectrum resource by providing guidance and protection to users and of providing each potential user bands in all parts of the spectrum suitable to his charter. Thus propagation phenomena played a major role in defining the new table-as did the desire of some Administrations to add services such as Fixed and Mobile. This paper discusses the approach used in creating the new table, summarizes the allocations, discusses some bands of special interest, indicates how future refinement of the table will likely occur, and addresses the challenge presented to the frequency manager by this part of the spectrum.