MANDATORY FCC NARROWBANDING INFORMATION

General Synopsis

On January 1, 2013, all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands must cease operating using 25 kHz efficiency technology, and begin operating using at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology. Migration to 12.5 kHz efficiency technology will allow the creation of additional channel capacity within the same radio spectrum, and support more users.

Many radio systems in use today CAN comply with these new requirements, and DO NOT need to be replaced - they may only need a simple software reprogramming. Some very old equipment (typically manufactured pre-1997), however, may need replacement to meet these new narrowbanding requirements.

There are many myths about narrowbanding that some companies might use to attempt to scare individuals into purchasing new radio systems.

Non-compliance can result in monetary fines and/or the cancellation of your license(s) by the FCC.

Read more about narrowbanding, including the FCC's official mandate and FAQ.

Get help with mandatory narrowbanding.

Who is Affected

All FCC Part 90 Private Land Mobile Radio licensees are required to convert their current systems to narrowband operation.

Typical Part 90 VHF & UHF two way radio licensees and users include, but are not limited to:

Many Small & Large Private Business Enterprises
Industrial Plants, Manufacturing & Warehousing Facilities
Electric, Gas, Wind, Solar Energy Utilities
Mining & Natural Resource Exploration Companies
Highway, Railroad, Subway, Taxi, & Bus Transportation Services
Delivery, Logistics, Freight, & Shipping Operations
Airport Passenger Facilities, Security & Tarmac Operations
Marine Terminals & Port Operations
Automobile Towing & Heavy Equipment Recovery Companies
Trash, Refuse, Recycling & Disposal Services
Farming, Ranching, Agricultural & Nursery Services
Construction & On-Site Facilities Maintenance Services
School Districts, Universities & Colleges
Student Transportation & School Bus Operations
Convention Centers, Hotels & Hospitality Services
Coliseums, Sports Arenas, Stadiums & Golf Courses
Hospitals, Ambulance & Emergency Medical Providers
Local Municipal Government Agencies & Public Works Departments
Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants
Public Safety, Disaster Response, EOC's & Search & Rescue
City, County & State Government Agencies
Wireless Data, SCADA, Telemetry & Private Radio Paging Networks

Myths and Realities

MYTH: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to "go digital" (i.e. P25; NXDN; MotoTRBO, TETRA)
MYTH: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to use 6.25 KHz emissions
MYTH: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to change to a new frequency or band
MYTH: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to use trunking technology

The above claims are false in the context of any of them actually being required to comply with the narrowbanding mandate. They may, however, be valid OPTIONS for consideration by individual licensees or certain types of radio system user groups (i.e. Public Safety) when comparing the features, capabilities, benefits and added value those advanced technology options offer with those provided by existing radio systems and/or, in determining whether present systems still effectively meet a licensees current and future communications needs and requirements.

We're hearing horror stories every day from new customers who are being scared or coerced into buying something they don't need or can't really afford. Many other vendors and providers in the two-way radio industry have deliberately confused, misled or resorted to bullying cash-strapped customers who critically depend on two-way radios.

Unfortunately, police and fire departments, power and energy companies, hotels, resorts, casinos and many other businesses that rely on two-way radios are unnecessarily purchasing or planning to buy entirely new, extremely expensive digital two-way radio systems. They don't have a clue that the only thing that's likely required for the narrowband compliance is a simple reprogramming of the two-way radios they currently use.

It is imperative that licensees thoroughly discuss, analyze, and understand how these OPTIONS may (or may not) be beneficial to their specific radio system operations. Using the services of qualified radio communications professionals when planning and implementing any narrowband migration project is highly recommended.

MYTH: Wideband licensees may continue to operate on a "secondary user" basis after 01/01/2013

Not true. ALL Part 90 VHF and UHF two way voice dispatch, data, SCADA, and private radio paging systems must be operating in a 12.5 KHz narrowband (or equivalent) mode on or before the 01/01/2013 date

MYTH: Everybody must narrowband again by 2017

This myth is inaccurate. This date applies only to Part 90 Public Safety 700 MHz systems which must be operating with 6.25 KHz emissions/equivalency by January 1, 2017. Part 90 VHF (150-174 MHz) or UHF (421-512 MHz) licensees are NOT required to migrate to 6.25 KHz emissions/equivalency by this or any other date

MYTH: 3rd Party narrowbanding "kits" may be used to modify equipment to comply with the Mandate

No. "To be compliant with the commission's rules, the radio must be specifically certificated for narrowband use under Part 90" (Ira Keltz, deputy chief, FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology - http://missioncriticalmag.com/onlyonline.cfm?OnlyOnlineID=147 01/20/2010 and http://missioncriticalmag.com/onlyonline.cfm?OnlyOnlineID=151 02/02/2010)

Also see the FCC's responses to FAQ's regarding other Narrowbanding scenarios

REALITY: Interference WILL occur to wideband systems as new narrowband systems are deployed on narrowband frequencies adjacent to those used by wideband systems

REALITY: After January 1, 2013, any Part 90 system still operating in the wideband mode that causes interference to compliant narrowband systems will be subject to several FCC enforcement actions, including the immediate shut down of the offending system

REALITY: Low, potentially distorted, or unintelligible audio or, corrupted data, WILL occur between wideband and narrowband devices operating in the same system

REALITY: After January 1, 2013, all dual-mode capable 25/12.5 KHz radio equipment must be operated only in the 12.5 KHz narrowband mode

What You Should Do

A "roadmap" for successfully meeting and complying with the FCC's January 1, 2013 narrowband deadline for all Part 90 business, educational, industrial, public safety, and local and state government two way radio system licensees currently operating legacy "wideband" (25 KHz) voice or data/SCADA radio systems in the 150-174 MHz (VHF) and 421-512 MHz (UHF) bands.

Note that Low-Band VHF (30-50 MHz), 220, 700, 800, and 900 MHz radio systems and FRS, GMRS, MURS, Amateur, Marine VHF, and CB radio users are exempt from the mandate.

1) Verify that your company or organization has a required current and valid FCC Part 90 radio station license. It is illegal to operate any Part 90 radio system without one.

2) Conduct a full inventory of all radios in your system, including all portable (hand-carried) radios, all mobile (in-vehicle) radios, all dispatcher-used radios, all RF link and paging receivers and transmitters, all wireless data or SCADA radios, and - in particular - all on or off-site base or repeater radios. It is very important to list the specific makes and model numbers of all radios inventoried. It might also be wise to note the serial numbers of each for internal tracking purposes.

3) Work with a local professional two way radio service vendor for assistance in determining which models are capable of simply being re-programmed for narrowband operation and which models are not. Note that radio equipment manufactured after 1997 should be narrowband capable; pre-1997 radios may not be. Any radio that cannot be re-programmed to narrowband operation will need to be replaced.

4) Initiate the internal business process of budgeting for and procuring any new narrowband capable replacement radios as may be necessary. Any new radios procured should NOT be programmed for narrowband operation at this time. Operating in "mixed mode" - i.e. using both "wideband" and "narrowband" radios on the same frequency in the same system - is NOT recommended, particularly in data or SCADA systems. If at all possible, any new radios procured should continue to operate in the "wideband" mode until the actual switch from "wideband" to "narrowband" operation is made.

5) Develop a wideband-to-narrowband system conversion plan that reflect well-planned, coordinated logistical and implementation strategies needed to accommodate a) the replacement and installation in advance of any new narrowband capable off-site base or repeater station radio(s) needed and b), the actual coordinated reprogramming of all radios in a system as close to simultaneously as possible to assure minimal disruption to normal radio communication operations. It is highly recommended that your company or organization work closely with a professional two way radio service vendor during the development of any system conversion plan to insure there will be "no surprises" during the actual narrowbanding cutover.

6) Coordinate and schedule with your radio service vendor as soon as possible dates and times for the actual system conversion, making certain that all internal and authorized external, interoperable users of the radio system have been advised in advance and are aware of the changes being made to your system.

7) The final step in the narrowbanding process is to modify your FCC radio station license to remove any "wideband" emission designators, replacing them with the correct "narrowband" emission designators. This would also be an opportunity to make any other changes or updates to a license that may be required - i.e licensee name and contact names, address change, telephone number change, email address change, and any major technical changes that have been made over the years. It is strongly recommended that you employ the services of a reputable and qualified FCC licensing assistance firm, FCC certified frequency coordinator, or professional two way radio communications service company to help you with this process.

Do NOT wait until the last minute to begin or complete the narrowbanding process - by doing so, you will be risking not only the loss of use of your current radio frequency, but the investment and ROI you have made in your radio system equipment as well.

Non-compliance will result in monetary fines and/or the cancellation of your license(s) by the FCC.

Non-Compliance Consequences

Operation in violation of the Commission's rules may subject licensees to appropriate enforcement action, including admonishments, license revocation, and/or monetary forfeitures of up to $16,000 for each such violation or each day of a continuing violation and up to $112,500 for any single act or failure to act.

Read More In This Public Notice from The FCC

Get Help with Narrowbanding

Action Radio and Communications, Inc.
Your LOCAL professional two way radio communications service company.