About the FCC Deadline for Filing Wideband SystemsIn a nutshell: January 1, 2013
deadline for migration & NO new wideband after January 1, 2011. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?We recommend maintaining a healthy sense of importance in filing for wideband licenses, especially until a new deadline date is determined. The recent surge of applications has proven the value of beating the crowd and the risks of waiting until the last minute. (The following information is the former content of this page. We've kept it posted here because this is STILL where things are heading.) FCC Issues Narrowband Mandate Below 512 MHzSpecifically, the revised rules will:Effective January 1, 2011, the FCC will prohibit any new applications for operations using 25 kHz channels (wide band), for any system operating in the 150-174 MHz or 421-512 MHz band. The FCC revised its rules to permit applications for certification of equipment received on or after January 1, 2005, operating with a 25kHz bandwidth, to the extent that the equipment meets the spectrum efficiency standard of one channel per 6.25 kHz of channel bandwidth (voice) of 4800 bits per second per 6.25 kHz (data).. Beginning January 1, 2011, prohibit the manufacture and importation of any 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz band 25 kHz equipment (including multi-mode equipment that can operate on a 25 kHz bandwidth); Beginning January 1, 2013, require non-public safety licensees using channels in these bands to deploy technology that achieves the equivalent of one voice path per 12.5 kHz (narrow band) of spectrum; Beginning January 1, 2013, require public safety licensees using channels in these bands to deploy technology that achieves the equivalent of one voice path per 12.5 kHz (narrow band) of spectrum. What Does It All Mean!Ultimately, everyone will be required to comply with the FCC mandate to migrate to narrowband! This notion is old news, but the die is cast and the dates are clear. Deadlines will arrive quickly (especially since filing deadlines will fall days or weeks sooner) and it is surely the FCC’s intention to eliminate applications for new wide band license applications immediately. If narrowband migration was not on your “to-do” list, it should be now. Planning budgets and overall communications strategies to meet this mandate is necessary and prudent so there is no need for an urgent and chaotic change. Users will have to plan to change equipment, Dealers will have to move inventory as well as buy new technology, and Manufacturers will have to move inventory, cease production of out-dated equipment, and produce type acceptable units. This article (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/technology/communication/fcc-narrowbanding.htm#Deadlines) does a very good job clarifying this issue. Also, MRFAC has a “short & sweet” explanation of this mandate available on their web site. You can connect directly to their article by clicking HERE! One thing is certain; this acceleration of the narrow band migration will cause much confusion. Atlas will do all that’s necessary to stay involved and informed on this issue as we do with all Private Land Mobile issues. We are here to assist you in any way we can. Be sure you’re getting the straight story on this issue… call Atlas! Time Is Running Out!If narrowband migration was not on your “to-do” list, it should be now. The sooner you act on this issue, the better! See our "Time Is Running Out" page for more information. Click Here!
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