The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a reminder regarding the migration of current private land mobile radio licensees to narrowband technology.
As of January 1, 2013, VHF/UHF industrial, business and public safety licensees must operate on channels not greater than 12.5 kHz, or implement narrowband-equivalent technology that achieves the narrowband equivalent of at least one channel per 12.5 kHz of channel bandwidth. In addition, equipment manufacturers may no longer manufacture or import previously-certified equipment that includes a 25 kHz mode.
The Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology has previously issued guidance regarding narrowbanding migration, compliance and waiver requests. Additional information and resources about the migration of current private land mobile radio licensees to narrowband technology is available through the FCC.