Radio Spectrum Management

"Radio Spectrum Management: Policies, Regulations and Techniques by Haim Mazar includes a foreword by François Rancy, director of the Radio Communication Bureau of the ITU, that praises the author for his extensive involvement in ITU activities. Mazar has more than 45 years of experience in wireless communications and radio frequency management, working across broadcasting, mobile, fixed, radiolocation, satellite and public services. He is currently the vice-chair of ITU-R Study Group 5 on terrestrial services.Mazar first takes in the administrative, engineering, legal and economic aspects of wireless communications before addressing the main international and regional organisations that hold sway over the regulation and standardisation of how we use spectrum, with detailed case studies of the spectrum policies of China, France, the UK and the US.

True to the ordered and comprehensive form of the book, Mazar acknowledges the 82 experts he consulted in the course of its writing in a table, listing them by name and the chapter they helped with. This is followed by a six-page list of the acronyms and abbreviations used in the book. Readers can be in no doubt that they are dealing with nothing less than a spectrum bible. In almost 400 pages (not including extensive references and index) the copious amount of diagrams, equations and other figures makes it look to the uninitiated like some sort of tome of arcane lore. But in its selection of subjects, it is clear even to the layman that Radio Spectrum Management is a key textbook that hones in on the constituent parts of its subject. The scientific sections – non-linear air interfaces, linear air interfaces, intermodulation, three-dimensional radiation pattern and gain calculations – sit alongside economic and legal cases for their use and the case studies demonstrate lucidly the meeting between spectrum theory and the realities of practice. There is some historical exposition but Mazar mainly sticks to the nuts and bolts of his subject."
—Kane Mumford,PolicyTracker

"This book has a diverse set of information covering many areas from radio hazard through short range devices to satellite communications. The book’s purpose – which it achieves - is to give good references to standards, reports and recommendations that apply to the technologies it covers, and to highlight the pertinent facts. Radio propagation and link budget generation are covered in general along with co-existence and interference, coverage that is again primarily driven by the standards and recommendations. Particularly interesting is rarely-seen information on how different countries manage their spectrum, and of special notice within that is the relationship of the various standards agencies and bodies in Europe and their interactions. A number of major regulators from around the world are featured with descriptions of how they operate and their areas of responsibility. Overall, the book provides a useful short cut to finding the radiocommunications industry's standards, reports and recommendations."
—Nick Kirkman, Technical Director, ATDI Ltd

"A comprehensive overview of radio frequency management  with quoted references for theoretical and practical use to those interested in the subject, operators, equipment manufacturers, government administrators including regulators. The book includes telecommunications and other services, whereas telecommunications deals also with matters outside of radio  frequency management. A distinction and connection with national and international radio spectrum management is fully described with the constraints of international treaties. The matter of worldwide standardization especially for equipment manufacturers is illustrated. Essentially radio frequency management deals with the avoidance of harmful interference. An important aspect is the allocation of RF spectrum on the basis of free market principles or government decisions, raising questions of efficient and economic use of the RF spectrum, which is not wasted when not used, but when blocked from being used where a demand exists. The book also indicates how innovation in RF technology improves services for both the public and private operators, and gives information about the organizations that follow these developments. Definitely a reference book for all those involved with international telecommunication systems, with introducing and maintaining satellite and terrestrial networks."
—Dr Henry Meyerhoff, ITU Expert, Switzerland