Regulatory Aspects of Spread Spectrum Communications

Abstract

While it appears desirable to allow spread spectrum communications in the civilian environment, a number of questions must be answered before its introduction. How will the Commission authorize spread spectrum, with its large radio frequency bandwidth, in a spectrum that has largely been divided into many narrow bands? How can the Commission, with the aid of its licensees, monitor spread spectrum transmissions and enforce both technical and operational regulations? What will be the extent of interference between spread spectrum and narrow band-signals? It appears that these questions can be answered, and the problems they typify mitigated, by careful management on the part of the Commission.