Self Service

Are your radio system and subscribers ready for Narrowbanding?
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is mandating all Public Safety and Industrial/Business licensees convert existing 25 kHz (wideband) operations in the VHF and UHF bands to 12.5 kHz efficiency (narrowband) technology by January 1, 2013. The purpose of the narrowband mandate is to promote more efficient use of the VHF and UHF land mobile frequency bands.

Who is affected?
All land mobile Part 90, 25 kHz efficiency systems operating on VHF (150-174 MHz) and UHF (421-512 MHz) frequency bands.

1. The FCC will consider any radio equipment that does not meet the 12.5 kHz efficiency requirement by January 1, 2013 to be operating in violation of the FCC rules. Licensees cannot operate radio equipment in 25 kHz efficiency on a secondary basis after that date. All violations are subject to FCC enforcement action, which may include FCC admonishment, monetary fines, and loss of license. The FCC can require licensees to verify that they are operating in compliance with the narrowbanding rules.
   
   
2. Licensees of dual mode 25 kHz/12.5 kHz and multi-mode radio equipment, operating in multiple authorized bandwidths, must ensure that the 25 kHz efficiency mode is disabled prior to January 1, 2013. Newer radios enable modes of operation primarily through software, rather than firmware or hardware. The FCC will consider licensees to be in compliance if the 25 kHz efficiency mode is disabled via software and the radio user cannot reactivate the 25 kHz efficiency mode. Licensees should check with our sales or service representatives to determine how best to ensure that the equipment is operating in the 12.5 kHz mode.
   
   
3. Licensees already operating at 12.5 kHz efficiency do not need to take any action to notify the FCC that their radio equipment already meets the narrowbanding requirement.
   
   
4. Licensees of dual/multi-mode radio equipment that are migrating from 25 kHz efficiency to 12.5 kHz efficiency must file a modification application to either add a 12.5 kHz emission designator or change the 25 kHz emission designator to a 12.5 kHz emission designator. Licensees must file applications for adding or modifying a licensed emission designator through a certified frequency coordinator. Contact your preferred frequency coordinator for fee schedules. Adding or changing an emission designator does not require licensees to file a new construction modification.
   
   
5. Licensees of dual/multi-mode radio equipment that are authorized to operate on their assigned frequencies with multiple authorized bandwidths, including both 25 kHz emissions and 12.5 kHz emissions, do not need to modify the license to delete the 25 kHz emission to demonstrate narrowbanding compliance. Licensees must ensure that the 25 kHz efficiency mode is disabled prior to the deadline. (See #2 above)
   
   
6. Licensees operating or planning to operate 12.5 kHz equivalent equipment on channel widths exceeding 12.5 kHz must file a narrowband compliance certification to certify that they comply or plan to comply with the January 1, 2013 deadline. The FCC will further define this certification requirement.
   
   
7. Licensees must replace by January 1, 2013 all radio equipment that is only capable of operating at 25 kHz efficiency (i.e., equipment that is not capable of operating at 12.5 kHz or greater efficiency).

1. Take an inventory of your radios. Equipment purchased during the last ten years likely is dual mode 25/12.5 kHz so converting should be a simple process of disabling the 25 kHz mode. Older equipment will likely need replacement.
   
   
2. If you have pagers on your system, verify whether or not they are operating on “paging only” channels that are exempt from this mandate.
   
   
3. Develop budget requirements and explore funding options.
   
   
4. Establish a conversion and implementation schedule.
   
   
5. Coordinate your conversion with other agencies that you communicate by radio with to facilitate continued interoperability among your agencies
   
   
6. Conduct tests during conversion to ensure your system continues to provide similar coverage. Determine if transmitter site changes or additions will be required to compensate for possible coverage changes.
   
   
7. Contact our sales or service representatives for further information and assistance to ensure that your radios system meets the FCC narrowbanding deadlines and requirements.