National Frequency Allocation Table

The National Frequency Allocation Table (hereinafter CNAF), the basic piece of spectrum planning in Spain, contains the allocation or use to which each of the frequency bands in which the radio spectrum available for radio communications is divided, between 8.3 kHz and 3000 GHz, is reserved.

The CNAF was first published in 1990. Due to the regulatory and markedly technical content of its information regarding the use of the radio spectrum, it is a document that requires constant updates derived generally from the activities of the international bodies with regulatory competences to which Spain belongs. These bodies, which are mainly the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunication Administrations), the EU (European Union) and the ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), adopt regulations, decisions, recommendations, and other provisions generally aimed at harmonizing the use of the radio spectrum.

Other times the reason for the update may be due to national requirements derived from regulatory provisions relating to the use of the radio spectrum, such as possible modifications of the General Telecommunications Law (LGT), as well as the regulatory provisions that may arise.

In addition to this, we must take into account the needs of the Spanish industry and the telecommunications sector in general, the implications derived from new systems and devices that arise, either as a replacement for other technologies or as new systems, operated in certain frequencies and with given characteristics.

The CNAF transposes into Spanish law the changes and modifications in the allocation of frequency bands and radio services derived from the World Radiocommunication Conferences of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as well as the Decisions of the European Commission, which Spain as a Member State, has the obligation to adopt.

The current version of the CNAF approved by Order ETD 1449/2021, of December 16, was published in the Official State Gazette on December 24, 2021, repeals and replaces the previous edition of 2017 and its partial modifications in 2018 and 2020.

The CNAF comprises first the notes of Article 5 of the ITU Radio Regulations (RR), followed by the frequency band allocation tables of that RR, together with the national allocation tables up to the value of 275 GHz, followed by a column of observations where RR and National Use (UN) notes related to the corresponding frequency range have been inserted, and, where appropriate, additional information or comments in relation to the corresponding frequency band, finally the uses that correspond in an orderly way to the national allocation are indicated.

For these purposes, the following codes have been used to classify the modalities of use:

  • C: Common use
  • E: Special use
  • P: Private use
  • A: Use reserved for the State
  • M: Mixed use comprising the uses P and R

The text of the UN Notes, numbered 0 to 168, followed by the NATO, CEPT, EU and Radio Servitude notes, is shown below the frequency allocation tables. Finally, the graphs and figures corresponding to the channeling and/or ordering of certain frequency bands are inserted.

Non-exhaustive table of radiocommunication services [PDF] [547.93 kB]