ISM band: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio bands were originally reserved internationally for non-commercial use of RF electromagnetic fields for industrial, scientific and medical purposes.

The ISM bands are defined by the ITU-T in S5.138 and S5.150 of the Radio Regulations.(see external link below). Individual countries' use of the bands designated in these sections may differ due to variations in national radio regulations.

In recent years they have also been used for license-free error-tolerant communications applications such as wireless LANs and Bluetooth:

• 900MHz band (33.3cm wavelength)
• 2.4GHz band (12.2cm wavelength)
• 5.8GHz band (5.2cm)

IEEE 802.11b/g wireless ethernet also operates on the 2.4 GHz band

External links:

• ITU page on definitions of ISM bands -- note that this link does not work. If you know of a working link, please replace this.
• European Radiocommunications Office frequency information system
• In the US, CFR Title 47 Part 18 describes the regulation of the ISM bands.