FCC Narrow Band FCC Narrow Band Mandate:Mandate:

It’s Closer Than You ThinkIt’s Closer Than You Think

What is Narrow Banding?What is Narrow Banding?

A A Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission unfunded mandate unfunded mandate to make additional to make additional spectrum available in the 150 MHz / spectrum available in the 150 MHz / 450-470 MHz spectrum by reducing the 450-470 MHz spectrum by reducing the amount of space that a frequency amount of space that a frequency occupiesoccupies

Also Refereed to as “REFARMING”Also Refereed to as “REFARMING” Both Public Safety & Business-IndustrialBoth Public Safety & Business-Industrial

What does Narrow Banding What does Narrow Banding effect?effect?

Narrow banding will effect all radio Narrow banding will effect all radio systems:systems: Voice – DispatchVoice – Dispatch Data – MDT & AVLData – MDT & AVL Telemetry – Water pumps & Tanks, Waste Telemetry – Water pumps & Tanks, Waste

Water, Gas, Electric, etcWater, Gas, Electric, etc Users on 700 or 800 MHz may be effected Users on 700 or 800 MHz may be effected

because many still have old V/U system because many still have old V/U system

TimelineTimeline

1992 - Refarming Introduced by FCC 1992 - Refarming Introduced by FCC

1995 - 1995 - Report and Order and Further Report and Order and Further Notice of Rulemaking, 92-235Notice of Rulemaking, 92-235 establishes the timelineestablishes the timeline

19971997 – FCC begins accepting – FCC begins accepting applications for Narrow Band licensesapplications for Narrow Band licenses

TimelineTimeline 2004 - 2004 - 04-292, Third Memorandum 04-292, Third Memorandum

Opinion and Order (3rd MO&O), Third Opinion and Order (3rd MO&O), Third Further Notice of Rule Making and Further Notice of Rule Making and Order (3rd FNPRM), December 2004 Order (3rd FNPRM), December 2004 (WT Docket 99-87)(WT Docket 99-87)

Sets specific dates to phase in narrow Sets specific dates to phase in narrow banding with deadlines in 2005, 2011 banding with deadlines in 2005, 2011 and 2013.and 2013.

Timeline / DeadlinesTimeline / Deadlines

2005 - VHF/UHF narrow band interoperability 2005 - VHF/UHF narrow band interoperability channels (see table below) become primary usage channels (see table below) become primary usage and adjacent channels are now secondary usage if and adjacent channels are now secondary usage if they are still wide band emission such as 20K0F3E, they are still wide band emission such as 20K0F3E, or as the Commission states, "utilizing emissions or as the Commission states, "utilizing emissions wider than 11K per voice path on these channels." wider than 11K per voice path on these channels." Existing users on interoperability channels are now Existing users on interoperability channels are now secondary to interoperability usage.secondary to interoperability usage.

VCALL, VTACs & UCALL UTACsVCALL, VTACs & UCALL UTACs

Benefit for Narrow-bandingBenefit for Narrow-bandingAdj. Ch.Adj. Ch. Interop Ch.Interop Ch. Adj. Ch.Adj. Ch.

151.13000151.13000 151.13750 VTAC 151.13750 VTAC 1111

151.14500151.14500

154.44500154.44500 154.45250 VTAC 154.45250 VTAC 1212

Not PSNot PS

155.74500155.74500 155.75250 VCALL 155.75250 VCALL 1010

155.76000155.76000

158.73000158.73000 158.73750 VTAC 158.73750 VTAC 1313

158.74500158.74500

159.46500159.46500 159.47250 VTAC 159.47250 VTAC 1414

Not PSNot PS

453.20000453.20000 453.21250 453.21250 UCALL40UCALL40

453.22500453.22500

453.45000453.45000 453.46250 UTAC 453.46250 UTAC 4141

453.47500453.47500

453.70000453.70000 453.71250 UTAC 453.71250 UTAC 4242

453.72500453.72500

453.85000453.85000 458.86250 UTAC 458.86250 UTAC 4343

453.87500453.87500

Benefit for Narrow-bandingBenefit for Narrow-banding

Add the National VHF & UHF Interoperability frequencies to your radio when rebanding using APCO Standard:

Common Frequencies

Common Channel Names

Common CTCSS Tones

Timeline / DeadlineTimeline / Deadline

After After December 31, 2010, December 31, 2010, end of this year,end of this year,no new applications for wideband (20K) licenses no new applications for wideband (20K) licenses accepted; modifications only if existing coverage accepted; modifications only if existing coverage area is not increasedarea is not increased

Many frequency coordinators are not accepting any Many frequency coordinators are not accepting any new wideband apps due to the time takes to process new wideband apps due to the time takes to process and get to the FCC no later than December 31, and get to the FCC no later than December 31, 2010.2010.

Timeline / DeadlineTimeline / Deadline

January 1, 2013 January 1, 2013 (December 31, 2012)(December 31, 2012)

All VHF 150 MHz / UHF 450 – 470 MHz All VHF 150 MHz / UHF 450 – 470 MHz radio systems operating under FCC CFR radio systems operating under FCC CFR Part 90 Part 90 MUSTMUST be narrow band be narrow band compliant. compliant.

How does the NB Mandate How does the NB Mandate effect Public Safety?effect Public Safety?

What does narrow band compliant mean?What does narrow band compliant mean? All hand held, portables, mobiles, control All hand held, portables, mobiles, control

stations, base stations and repeaters must stations, base stations and repeaters must be be FCC certifiedFCC certified to operate narrow band to operate narrow band

All radio equipment must be All radio equipment must be programmedprogrammed to operate in the narrow band modeto operate in the narrow band mode

All equipment must All equipment must operateoperate in the narrow in the narrow band mode.band mode.

Narrow BandingNarrow Banding FCC reaffirms date in 4FCC reaffirms date in 4THTH MO&O released on MO&O released on

5/14/20085/14/2008

FCC has gone on record stating that they will FCC has gone on record stating that they will further reduce the band width of a frequency further reduce the band width of a frequency to 6.25KHz. No deadline to 6.25KHz. No deadline yetyet. To accomplish . To accomplish this the technology will be digital.this the technology will be digital. APCO P25 digital radio standard is the only APCO P25 digital radio standard is the only

accepted digital radio that is recognized in Federal accepted digital radio that is recognized in Federal Grants. Grants.

Not Kenwood / ICOM NXDN nor MotoTRBONot Kenwood / ICOM NXDN nor MotoTRBO

Narrow banding is going to happen, be ready.Narrow banding is going to happen, be ready.

Steps to PrepareSteps to Prepare Verify that your Department or Agency Verify that your Department or Agency

has a valid FCC Part 90 licensehas a valid FCC Part 90 license

Conduct a full inventory of all your radios Conduct a full inventory of all your radios in the VHF / UHF bandin the VHF / UHF band

Determine which radios can be Determine which radios can be reprogrammed and which radios must be reprogrammed and which radios must be replacedreplaced

Develop a Budget for reprogramming & Develop a Budget for reprogramming & replacementreplacement

Steps to PrepareSteps to Prepare Educate your elected officialsEducate your elected officials

Secure your funding for cost of Secure your funding for cost of reprogramming and replacement radiosreprogramming and replacement radios

Develop a “wideband to narrow band” Develop a “wideband to narrow band” plan and timeline that addresses:plan and timeline that addresses:

Procurement, replacement & installation of any narrow band-capable base stations, control stations, repeaters, hand held and mobile radios.

Installation & reprogramming of all radios in your radio system without interruption

Steps to PrepareSteps to Prepare Develop a “wideband to narrow band” plan for:Develop a “wideband to narrow band” plan for: Your agencyYour agency Other agencies that have your frequenciesOther agencies that have your frequencies County agencies & systemsCounty agencies & systems Regional mutual aid systemsRegional mutual aid systems Statewide mutual aid systemsStatewide mutual aid systems

Set a deadline prior to December 31, 2012Set a deadline prior to December 31, 2012

Remember the ripple effect: what I do affects Remember the ripple effect: what I do affects others and what other do affects me.others and what other do affects me.

Steps to PrepareSteps to Prepare Work closely with your agency or contract Work closely with your agency or contract

radio communications personnelradio communications personnel Schedule and coordinate the system Schedule and coordinate the system

conversion (Vendors have many customers)conversion (Vendors have many customers) Modify your FCC radio license for narrow band Modify your FCC radio license for narrow band

emission designatorsemission designators Tailor the conversion plan to your agencyTailor the conversion plan to your agency Check your infrastructure before and after Check your infrastructure before and after

rebanding to make sure it is optimized; i.e. rebanding to make sure it is optimized; i.e. receiver, transmitter, antenna systemreceiver, transmitter, antenna system

Keep your neighbor informed Keep your neighbor informed

Community EffectsCommunity EffectsNarrow banding effects all FCC Part 90 users, not just public safety

Voice, Data & Telemetry

Business, Industry, Agriculture, Schools, Colleges, Universities, Private & Public Utilities, State & Local Governments, Hospitals, Private Ambulance Services, Volunteer Rescue Squads, Fire Departments, Media, etc. all use business frequencies that will need to be narrow banded.

Community EffectsCommunity Effects

Be proactive with the community

Newspaper articles, local radio shows, Civic Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Local Emergency Planning Councils, etc.

Part 90 Business / Industry will need to take the same steps as Public Safety

COMMONLY ASKED COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

Are we forced to move to another band or Are we forced to move to another band or frequencies? frequencies?

NONO! You will continue to use your ! You will continue to use your existing frequenciesexisting frequencies

We will have to buy new radios? We will have to buy new radios? Depends.Depends. Many radios purchased Many radios purchased

since 1997 are already narrow band since 1997 are already narrow band capable, but may need to be capable, but may need to be reprogrammedreprogrammed

COMMONLY ASKED COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONSQUESTIONS Will we have to convert to digital? Will we have to convert to digital? Not yet. Not yet.

However, many agencies are taking However, many agencies are taking advantage of this opportunity to upgrade advantage of this opportunity to upgrade to P25 digital. FCC has published that we to P25 digital. FCC has published that we are not stopping @ 12.5 KHz, but going to are not stopping @ 12.5 KHz, but going to 6.25 KHz, no date set.6.25 KHz, no date set.

Will narrow banding reduce our coverage? Will narrow banding reduce our coverage? MaybeMaybe..

Only a through analysis of your coverage Only a through analysis of your coverage requirements and testing can tell for surerequirements and testing can tell for sure

COMMONLY ASKED COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

Will more VHF / UHF radio spectrum Will more VHF / UHF radio spectrum be available after January 1, 2013?be available after January 1, 2013?

Depends, maybe / maybe notDepends, maybe / maybe not

Narrow band frequencies have been Narrow band frequencies have been coordinate & licensed since 1997. In coordinate & licensed since 1997. In many areas many areas usableusable VHF / UHF radio VHF / UHF radio spectrum is spectrum is veryvery hard to find if any hard to find if any at allat all

COMMONLY ASKED COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

Can I use Federal Homeland Can I use Federal Homeland Security / FEMA grants to purchase Security / FEMA grants to purchase narrowband radio equipment?narrowband radio equipment?

Yes as long as it is allowable Yes as long as it is allowable under the grant.under the grant.

COMMONLY ASKED COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

What about my MDT or AVL system?What about my MDT or AVL system?Data minimum:Data minimum:

4.8 Kbps @ 6.25KHz (one voice path)4.8 Kbps @ 6.25KHz (one voice path)

9.6 @ 12.5 KHz (two voice paths)9.6 @ 12.5 KHz (two voice paths)

19.2 @ 25 KHz (four voice paths)19.2 @ 25 KHz (four voice paths)

If you meet this, you do not need to narrow bandIf you meet this, you do not need to narrow band

What Narrow Banding is NotWhat Narrow Banding is Not You You do not need to change frequencydo not need to change frequency, ,

your frequency goes on a diet.your frequency goes on a diet. Does not affect Low band, 700 MHZ, Does not affect Low band, 700 MHZ,

800 MHz or Microwave links, HAM, or 800 MHz or Microwave links, HAM, or Marine ChannelsMarine Channels

Do not have to go digital, but may be a Do not have to go digital, but may be a good time to consider good time to consider P25P25

P25 is the only digital standard for P25 is the only digital standard for grant reimbursementgrant reimbursement

Narrow Banding Resources Narrow Banding Resources InfoInfo

http://www.imsasafety.org/PDFs/Narrowbanding%20V2%20R2.http://www.imsasafety.org/PDFs/Narrowbanding%20V2%20R2.pdfpdf

Narrow Banding Resources Narrow Banding Resources InfoInfo

http://www.npstc.org/documents/NavigatingTheNarrowband10http://www.npstc.org/documents/NavigatingTheNarrowband100630.pdf0630.pdf

Narrow Banding Resources Narrow Banding Resources InfoInfo

http://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/documents/APCO-NPSTC-ANS1-104-1web.pdfhttp://www.apcointl.com/new/commcenter911/documents/APCO-NPSTC-ANS1-104-1web.pdf

Other Narrow Banding Resources Other Narrow Banding Resources InfoInfo

www.apcointl.org/frequency/narrowband.php

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

http://wirelessradio.net/http://wirelessradio.net/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr9quAXC8Uchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr9quAXC8Uc

Virginia SIEC videoVirginia SIEC video

http://www.npstc.org/narrowbanding.jsphttp://www.npstc.org/narrowbanding.jsp

Questions / CommentsQuestions / Comments

John JohnsonJohn Johnson

Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

615 741 3826615 741 3826

jjohnson@tnema.orgjjohnson@tnema.org