What is Spectrum in Relations to Telecommunications?

Wireless signals used in telecom travel over space (air). These radio frequencies are what we refer to as spectrum. TV Broadcasts, Radio Broadcasts, GPS devices, mobile/ wireless phones use spectrum to transmit data/ info.

In most countries, there are organizations known as regulators tasked with management and allocation of spectrum to operators. These organizations include FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the US, and CCK (Communications Commission of Kenya) are examples of regulators.

Wireless operators have to purchase different frequencies from the regulators because they cannot transmit signals over the same frequency in the same region at the same time. This because they will interfere with each other.