Standard frequency and time signal service

This article is about the global Standard frequency and time signal service intended for general utilization in accordance to ITU Radio Regulations, article 1.53, and should not be confused with the USA Standard time and frequency signal.

Standard frequency and time signal radio station DCF77

Radiocommunication signal of the time signal transmitter station YVTO

Standard frequency and time signal service (short: SFTS) is – according to Article 1.53 of the International Telecommunication Union´s (ITU) Radio Regulations (RR)^[1] – defined as «A radiocommunication service for scientific, technical and other purposes, providing the transmission of specified frequencies, time signals, or both, of stated high precision, intended for general reception.»

See also

Classification

In accordance with ITU Radio Regulations (article 1) variations of this radiocommunication service are classified as follows:
Standard frequency and time signal service (article 1.53)

• Standard frequency and time signal-satellite service

In general this radiocommunication service uses radio stations as follows:

• Standard frequency and time signal stations (article 1.95)

Frequency allocation

The allocation of radio frequencies is provided according to Article 5 of the ITU Radio Regulations (edition 2012).^[2]

In order to improve harmonisation in spectrum utilisation, the majority of service-allocations stipulated in this document were incorporated in national Tables of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations which is with-in the responsibility of the appropriate national administration. The allocation might be primary, secondary, exclusive, and shared.

• primary allocation: is indicated by writing in capital letters (see example below)
• secondary allocation: is indicated by small letters

Example of frequency allocation

Allocation to services
Region 1	Region 2	Region 3
19.95-20.05 kHz        STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (20 kHz)
2 498-2 501 kHz        STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (2 500 kHz)
4 995-5 003 kHz        STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (5 000 kHz)
5 003-5 005 kHz        STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL Space research
9 995-10 003 kHz      STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (10 000 kHz)
10 003-10 005 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL Space research
14 990-15 005 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (15 000 kHz)
15 005-15 010 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL Space research
19 990-19 995 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL Space research
19 995-20 010 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (20 000 kHz)
24 990-25 005 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL (25 000 kHz)
25 005-25 010 kHz    STANDARD FREQUENCY AND TIME SIGNAL Space research

References / sources

1. ITU Radio Regulations, Section IV. Radio Stations and Systems – Article 1.53, definition: standard frequency and time signal service
2. ITU Radio Regulations, CHAPTER II – Frequencies, ARTICLE 5 Frequency allocations, Section IV – Table of Frequency Allocations

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)