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-R in 5.138 and 5.150 of the Radio Regulations. 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:

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

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

External links

• ITU page on definitions of ISM bands
• ITU page on Radio Regulations
• European Radiocommunications Office frequency information system
• In the US, CFR Title 47 Part 18 describes the regulation of the ISM bands.