NARBA established the AM radio frequency allocation framework for North America, shaping broadcast standards that persisted well into the late 20th century.
Key Facts
- Treaty signed
- December 13, 1937
- Treaty took effect
- March 29, 1941
- Signatory nations
- USA, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti
- Supplanted by Rio Agreement
- 1983
- Coverage
- AM band (mediumwave) clear channel allocations
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Expanding AM radio broadcasting in North America during the 1930s created interference problems and disputes over frequency assignments among neighboring nations, requiring an international framework to coordinate the allocation of mediumwave frequencies, particularly high-powered clear channel stations.
Six nations — the United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti — signed the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), also called the Havana Treaty, on December 13, 1937. The treaty defined technical standards and distributed AM band frequency assignments, taking effect on March 29, 1941.
NARBA's frequency allocation framework governed North American AM broadcasting for decades, with subsequent modifications also carried under the NARBA name. Its provisions were largely replaced in 1983 by the Rio Agreement covering the Western hemisphere, though current AM band assignments in North America still largely reflect standards first set by NARBA.
Political Outcome
An internationally binding AM radio frequency allocation plan for North America took effect, governing broadcast standards until largely replaced by the 1983 Rio Agreement.