The contemporary view of capacity building goes beyond the conventional perception of training. The central concerns of spectrum management – to promote spectrum access and efficient use, to resolve conflicting demands, to manage change, to enhance coordination and avoid interference, to foster communication and consultation and to ensure that data and information are shared - require a broader view of capacity development. This definition covers both institutional and individual capacity building.
Spectrum regulators need to consider strategies for developing the spectrum management organization including human resource development, spectrum management functions, process development, staffing and staff retention, and training. These capacity building strategies flow from legislation, policies and the regulatory framework including which other agencies are involved in certain aspects of spectrum management.
The traditional spectrum management regulatory functions include:
Spectrum planning of the future steps required to achieve optimal spectrum use by charting the major trends and developments in technology and considering the needs of current and future users of the radio spectrum.
Spectrum engineering including the evaluation of information, capabilities and technology choices to support decisions affecting the allocation, allotment and assignment of radio spectrum. Identifying solutions to interference problems and technical compatibility among radio systems are key areas of focus.
Spectrum authorization involves licensing of radiocommunication equipment and the making of frequency assignments.
Spectrum monitoring and compliance activities help by avoiding incompatible frequency usage and through identification of sources of harmful interference.
How spectrum managers fulfill these requirements and meet strategic operational and organization goals represent formidable challenges made more difficult in an environment characterized by change and innovation. These types of capacity building problems are not new nor are they unique to spectrum management. Solutions do exist for developing planning and implementing processes that will improve organization structure, function and to develop necessary and required skills.