90 frequencies, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated all

Public Safety and Industrial/Business licensees using 25 kHz radio systems to migrate

by January 1, 2013.

replaced.

25 kHz mode disabled via software.

The purpose of the FCC narrowband mandate is

land mobile radio bands. Currently, these bands

are so congested that often there is not enough

spectrum available for licensees to expand their

existing systems or implement new systems.

Requiring licensees to convert their radio systems

to operate on narrower channel bandwidths will

allow additional channels to exist within the same

spectrum.

Land mobile radio (also known as Part 90) systems

bands:

Low band radio systems operating below 150 MHz

are not affected.

If not already started, then now is the time to

develop a migration plan to narrowband systems.

determine what can be converted to 12.5 kHz

and what will need to be replaced before January

1, 2013. Most new equipment has the capability

for both 25 kHz and 12.5 kHz operation because

any VHF/UHF radio equipment accepted by the

FCC after February 14, 1997, had to have 12.5

kHz capability. Contact your authorized dealer to determine if your radio

equipment is capable of operating in the

12.5 kHz mode.

to ensure 12.5 kHz operation continues to provide

similar coverage. Once you determine possible

equipment conversion needs, start developing

funding and conversion schedules. Remember

to coordinate your conversion with neighboring

agencies or other organizations to maintain

continued interoperability.

to operating on narrowbanded equipment, users

must be properly licensed by the FCC with the

correct emissions designator. Contact your

preferred frequency coordinator or authorized

dealer for assistance.

Narrowband channels allow additional channels

to exist in the same spectrum.

No. Narrowbanding does not require moving to another frequency band. Licensees stay on the same channel

center(s), but reduce the bandwidth of the channel(s) currently used, from 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz.

No. The 12.5 kHz narrowband equipment is available in both conventional analog and digital formats

(e.g. Project 25). After January 1, 2013, analog and digital equipment must operate on a 12.5 kHz channel

or transmits at least one voice channel per 12.5 kHz of bandwidth. This means equipment operating on a 25 kHz

channel bandwidth is compliant if the equipment supports two ore more voice channels.

Refer to the FCC website for listing of frequency coordinators:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing_3&id=industrial_business

No. Your 12.5 kHz channel will remain on the same channel center. Your current 25 kHz channel will not be split

into two 12.5 kHz channels. You will need to justify and apply for the additional 12.5 kHz channels to the FCC

No. The FCC will prohibit licensees from operating non-compliant equipment on a secondary basis.

Non-compliance will be considered a violation subject to FCC Enforcement Bureau action, which may include

Maybe. Conduct tests during conversion to ensure your system continues to provide similar coverage. Contact

your authorized dealer to help you determine if transmitter site changes or additions will be

required to compensate for possible coverage change.

Visit the Vertex Standard FCC Narrowband Center at www.vertexstandard.com/lmr

- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 90.209(b)(6)(i), 90.209(b)(6)(ii) and 90.209(b)(5) for licensee deadlines, and

90.203(j)(3) and 90.203(j)(10) for manufacturer deadlines: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_08/47cfr90_08.html

- FCC narrowbanding guidelines summary:

http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/docs/public-safety-spectrum/General_Information_on_VHF-UHF_Narrowbanding.pdf

- FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau sites for licensing and frequency

coordination procedures: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=industrial_business and

http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/public-safety-spectrum/coord.html