s are developed, certain spectrum bands are used for shared spectrum. With shared spectrum, sophisticated protocols in antennas send signals around signals from other traffic. Using Numeric Designations for Roaming Compatibility In addition to alphabetic designations for blocks of spectrum, numeric ranges are designated for particular portions of spectrum within blocks. Standards bodies designate the numeric bands of spectrum for uplink and downlink transmissions. These bands are specified by numerals. For example, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) designated band 13 spectrum of the 777- 787MHz range for uplink transmissions. Uplink (UL) transmissions are those from subscribers to carriers' antennas, and Downlink (DL) transmissions are those from the carrier to the subscriber. www.TechnicalPDF.com The goal is to enable equipment compatibility SO that customers can more easily use their mobile devices on other networks. Mobile devices have preset designations for which frequencies are used for uplink and which are used for downlink communications. Thus, they only work on networks that use the same bands within frequencies. The 3GPP specifies other bands, such as 12 and 17, for either uplink or downlink transmissions. Not all technologies require separate frequencies for uplink and downlink communications. In these instances, numeric designations are not required. Using Auctions to Allocate Spectrum Because it is finite and critical to industry, security, and emergency preparedness, all governments allocate spectrum for particular uses. Portions of the public airwaves and frequencies are allocated for satellite, broadcast TV, Wi-Fi, 4th generation, and 5th generation mobile service as well as other services. Governments often provide spectrum at no charge when they believe it is in the national interest to foster development of new services. This happened in Asian countries such as Japan and others where the government felt it was in the national interest to foster construction of higher-capacity wirele