On January 1, 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated that all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio (LMR) systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands must cease operating using 25 kHz efficiency technology and begin operating on channel bandwidths of 12.5 kHz or less, or that meet a specific efficiency standard, e.g., utilize two- or four-slot TDMA.
Click on the map above to find narrowbanding assistance in your state. NPSTC has assembled local, knowledgeable contacts from the State's Interoperability Coordinators, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) Regional Coordinators, local public safety frequency advisors, and National Regional Planning Council (NRPC) members, plus additional persons who can provide you information on the narrowbanding process.
Who Is Affected: This mandate affects any users operating at VHF (150-174 MHz) and UHF (421-512 MHz) utilizing Part 90 frequencies. This includes but is not limited to public safety, public works, utilities, hospitals, higher education, and K-12 schools. After January 1, 2013, licensees not operating at 12.5 KHz efficiency will be in violation of the Commission's rules and could be subject to FCC enforcement action. In addition to the FCC's deadline of January 1, 2013 for all licensees to cut-over to new narrowband equipment, there are some "interim" deadlines. For example, there is a date by which no more new or modified operations on 25 kHz bandwidth channels may be initiated, and there are certain deadlines that apply to equipment manufacturers and importers.
Narrowbanding is not required in 800 MHz; it only applies to the VHF and UHF Part 90 spectrum (low band, 30-50 MHz and 220 MHz are not included). Although a deadline for the second phase of narrowbanding, conversion to 6.25 kHz channel efficiency, has not been specified by the FCC for VHF/UHF licenses, a deadline has been established which requires 700 MHz channels to operate at 6.25 kHz efficiency by January 1, 2017.
Certain Interim Narrowbanding Deadlines Extended: In response to a stay request filed by NPSTC, the FCC extended two of the interim VHF/UHF narrowbanding deadlines that were to go into effect on January 1, 2011. The original requirements would have required a 6.25 kHz equivalent mode in all new radios and would have made it difficult to secure new 25 kHz equipment.
The FCC extended the following interim 2011 requirements until January 1, 2013:
- Prohibition on the manufacture or import of equipment that includes a 25 kHz efficiency mode.
- Requirement that equipment submitted for certification include a 6.25 kHz efficiency mode.
However, the FCC declined to extend the following interim deadlines which remain in effect for January 1, 2011:
- Prohibition on new or expanded 25 kHz operations. Such requests will require individual waivers and be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- Prohibition on manufacturer certification of equipment which includes a 25 kHz mode.
The FCC issued a Public Notice on July 13, 2011 providing guidance for submitting Requests for Waiver. It includes recommended content, facts and timelines to be included in waiver requests by VHF/UHF licensees that anticipate the need for additional time beyond the January 1, 2013 deadline to complete the narrowbanding of their systems.
Narrowbanded yet?...
Current National Maps of Narrowbanding License Status (as of 11/1/2011)
Map 1: Licensed to Operate 25 kHz Only
Map 2: Licensed to Operate Narrowband (12.5 kHz) and 25 kHz
Map 3: Licensed to Operate Narrowband (12.5 kHz) Only
- Start planning now especially in the context of your agency's budget cycle. Get a funding cycle approved.
- Inventory equipment subject to narrowbanding. Most equipment manufactured since 1997 has a narrowband mode so narrowbanding may be no more than a programming issue.
- Establish a schedule to meet the 2013 date. Develop a wideband-to-narrowband conversion plan that reflects well-coordinated logistical and implementation strategies needed to accommodate the replacement and installation of any new narrowband-capable off-site base or repeater station radio(s) needed in advance. The plan should include reprogramming all radios in a system as close to simultaneously as possible to assure minimal disruption to ongoing radio communications operations. Work closely with a professional two-way radio service vendor during the development of any system conversion plan to insure there are no surprises during the actual narrowbanding cutover.
- Determine if additional sites will be needed to compensate for the narrower bandwidth.
- Determine if pagers will require replacement.
- Schedule and coordinate with their radio service vendor, as soon as possible, ascertaining the dates and times for the actual system conversion (or cutover), and making certain that all radio users have been advised in advance and are aware of the process. Also make sure that all handheld and mobile radios are readily available for reprogramming at pre-scheduled times.
- Modify existing licenses for narrowband, including new sites, if needed, working closely with frequency coordinator.
- Notify the FCC of conversion through license modification to remove wideband emission designator(s).