47 USC § 1454 - Guard bands and unlicensed use

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t47/s1454"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "47 USC § 1454 - Guard bands and unlicensed use"
title_number: 47
title_name: "TELECOMMUNICATIONS"
section_number: "1454"
section_name: "Guard bands and unlicensed use"
chapter_number: 13
chapter_name: "PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM AUCTIONS"
subchapter_number: "IV"
subchapter_name: "SPECTRUM AUCTION AUTHORITY"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2025-08-11"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 112–96, title VI, § 6407, Feb. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 231.)"
---


# § 1454. Guard bands and unlicensed use

**(a)** **In general** section 309(j)(8) of this titlesection 1452 of this title

Nothing in subparagraph (G) of  or in  shall be construed to prevent the Commission from using relinquished or other spectrum to implement band plans with guard bands.

**(b)** **Size of guard bands** Such guard bands shall be no larger than is technically reasonable to prevent harmful interference between licensed services outside the guard bands.

**(c)** **Unlicensed use in guard bands** The Commission may permit the use of such guard bands for unlicensed use.

**(d)** **Database** Unlicensed use shall rely on a database or subsequent methodology as determined by the Commission.

**(e)** **Protections against harmful interference** The Commission may not permit any use of a guard band that the Commission determines would cause harmful interference to licensed services.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 112–96, title VI, § 6407, Feb. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 231.)