Business View Caribbean - November 2016 43
and social development.
Efficient and effective spectrum management, there-
fore, is critical to spectrum allocation in a co-ordinated
manner for the benefit of users at large without com-
promising national interests. Management of the spec-
trum is a combination of administrative and technical
procedures with legal procedures necessary to ensure
efficient operation of radio communication services.
Dr. David McBean is SMA’s Managing Director. The fol-
lowing is an edited transcript of a recent conversation
between Dr. McBean and Business View Magazine.
BVM: What are the main functions of the SMA?
McBean:
“We do several things. We license and we
authorize certain categories of users to use the spec-
trum. For example, for the broadcast services (TV &
Radio stations), we issue authorizations for frequency
use; for some other services licenses are issued – ser-
vices range from amateur radio to television, mobile,
maritime, aeronautical, and satellite services.
“We also are guided by the deliberations of bodies like
the International Telecommunications Union, the Ca-
ribbean Telecommunications Union and other regional
bodies so that our spectrum activities and plans are
harmonized with international regulations.
“Monitoring of the spectrum for compliance is a signifi-
cant part of our operations. We also do interference
management. Sometimes operators, if their equip-
AT A GLANCE
WHO:
The Spectrum Management Authority
WHAT:
The national regulator for the radio fre-
quency spectrum in Jamaica
WHERE:
Kingston, Jamaica
WEBSITE
:
