Advances in communications technology may be unlimited, but the available spectrum that makes some of these advances accessible is a scarce resource. Radio stations, mobile phone operators, broadcast networks and aircraft control towers need separate frequencies to operate effectively. As more technologies are introduced in the society and all sectors of the economy, the demands for radio spectrum grow and must be carefully regulated.
Bands of spectrum exist in layers, and it is the role of CRA to regulate radio spectrum to allocate frequencies so technologies and devices using radio spectrum can operate without interference. As the regulatory authority body that monitors access to spectrum, CRA’s role is to carefully balance public and commercial interests in deciding allocation and assignment.