Block
In the context of radio frequency / spectrum, a block is a subset range of radio frequencies within a larger band.
For example, in the US, the whole PCS band spans 1850 - 1995 MHz. This is sub-divided into seven blocks, each spanning a specific 10-30 MHz-wide portion of the band. In any given geographic area, different companies own licenses for different blocks within that band.
See: Band
When governments auction off radio frequency bands to, they usually offer many licenses that can be bought by different companies. Bands are usually divided into licenses two ways: by blocks and by geography. Therefore one license sold at auction will cover only one block (not the whole band) and only one geographic area of the country.
Last updated Jul 13, 2012 by Rich Brome
Editor in Chief Rich became fascinated with cell phones in 1999, creating mobile web sites for phones with tiny black-and-white displays and obsessing over new phone models. Realizing a need for better info about phones, he started Phone Scoop in 2001, and has been helming the site ever since. Rich has spent two decades researching and covering every detail of the phone industry, traveling the world to tour factories, interview CEOs, and get every last spec and photo Phone Scoop readers have come to expect. As an industry veteran, Rich is a respected voice on phone technology of the past, present, and future.
