Spectrum Management

Spectrum management and frequency planning is the process of ensuring effective and efficient use of the radio spectrum for national development. The radio spectrum is a scarce natural resource which has to be managed efficiently in order to allow all eligible users the opportunity to provide communications in Ghana. It ranges from 8.3 Kilo Hertz (KHz) to 3000 Giga Hertz (GHz). In NCA, the Spectrum Management Department is responsible for the efficient administration of the radio spectrum and maintaining an up-to-date database of the national frequency register. This they achieve through the following:

• Planning of frequencies, which involve the determination and periodic update of the existing and future requirements for the various radio communications services, coordinating allocations and assignments, regulating and administering the use of radio frequencies.


• Assignment of frequencies to ensure electromagnetic compatibility of all proposed or requested assignments with regard to existing assignments. All the technical and operating data indicating the spectrum space occupied by this assignment is entered in the national frequency register, once a frequency has been assigned to a transmitting or a receiving station. This register provides the basic material for taking effective measures required to adapt national planning as well as serves as a reference when subsequently selecting other usable frequencies.

Frequency Planning

Allocation of frequency by the NCA is in accordance with national priority but in general, conforms with the internationally adopted frequency allocations principle prescribed in the ITU Radio Regulations. However, a frequency band allocated internationally to the fixed and mobile services might be subdivided and allocated in accordance with the national priorities partly to the fixed service and partly to the mobile service.

Frequencies in Ghana have been allocated according to the National Frequency Table.