  We define a new quantity called refbit, which allows one to quantify the
resource of sharing a reference frame in quantum communication protocols. By
considering both asymptotic and nonasymptotic protocols we find relations
between refbits and other communication resources. We also consider the same
resources in encoded, reference-frame independent, form. This allows one to
rephrase and unify previous work on phase references, reference frames, and
superselection rules.
