Kaistamäärien

Kaistamäärien refers to the allocations of radio frequency spectrum bands to different users and services. In telecommunications, a kaista is a range of frequencies designated for a specific use, such as mobile networks, broadcasting, or satellite communication. Kaistamäärien denote the size and conditions of those bands—how much spectrum each service receives, where it can be used, and under what rules (license duration, access rights, and interference protections).

Regulatory framework: Spectrum management is conducted by national authorities in accordance with national law and EU policy. In Finland and other member states, the regulator assigns bands through licensing processes, auctions, or administrative allocations, and establishes technical rules like band plans, power limits, and guard bands. Allocations can be static (permanent licenses) or dynamic (shared or flexible access using newer spectrum-management technologies).

Allocation methods and technologies: Governments and regulators use auctions or other selection processes to grant licenses for scarce bands. For shared or flexible use, mechanisms such as spectrum access systems or licensed shared access may apply. In practice, kaistamäärien support mobile generations (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) by providing dedicated bands in low, mid, and high frequency ranges and by refarming older bands for newer services. Dynamic spectrum sharing and network slicing further influence how kaistamäärien are realized in modern networks.

Impact: Kaistamäärien determine capacity, coverage, and service quality; they influence pricing, competition, and innovation. They also affect international coordination and interference management, especially in border areas and for satellite services.

See also: spectrum management, spectrum auction, dynamic spectrum access, band plan, interference management.