Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the ISM band?

The ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band is a set of frequency bands designated for unlicensed use, meaning they are free for the public to use without requiring a specific license from regulatory bodies. This characteristic allows a wide range of devices, such as Wi-Fi equipment, Bluetooth devices, and other wireless technologies, to operate in these frequency ranges without the overhead of licensing fees or application processes.

The ISM band is primarily intended for applications that are industrial in nature, scientific research, or medical use, hence the name. The frequencies are utilized for various purposes, including remote controls, RFID, and other short-range communication systems, which emphasizes that they are indeed used for industrial and scientific applications.

In contrast, the requirement for licensing does not apply to the ISM bands, making the option concerning licensing incorrect in the context of the characteristics of the ISM band. Therefore, identifying that licensing is not needed in this scenario clarifies the unique and accessible nature of the ISM bands compared to other spectrum allocations that do require licenses.