12.5 kHz Narrowbanding
The Mandate to 12.5 kHz Operations
Meeting the FCC Narrowbanding Requirements
What is Narrowbanding?
● Federal Communications Commission is mandating all Public Safety and
Industrial/Business licensees must convert existing 25 kHz efficiency
operations in VHF and UHF to minimum 12.5 kHz efficiency analog or
digital operation by January 1, 2013
● To get there, the FCC set interim deadline requirements on licensees
and manufacturers
● FCC has NOT set any date by which licensees must operate in 6.25 kHz
efficiency
Licensee Interim Requirements
January 1, 2011:
● New license applications must specify at least 12.5 kHz
efficiency
● License modification applications to expand authorized
service areas must specify at least 12.5 kHz efficiency
Manufacturer Interim Requirements
February 14, 1997:
● Radio equipment certification submittals must include a 12.5 kHz efficiency mode –
can be dual mode 25/12.5 kHz efficiency
January 1, 2011:
● Can no longer certify, manufacture or import 25 kHz capable equipment – must
disable mode via software
● New radio equipment certification submittals must include a 6.25 kHz efficiency
mode – can be dual mode 12.5/6.25 kHz efficiency
Motorola’s Support of Narrowbanding
Motorola offers the broadest choice of two-way radio equipment capable of
operating in 12.5 kHz efficiency.
•
Motorola has almost 60 models that operate at 12.5 kHz.
•
Motorola has been preparing for 12.5 kHz for over a decade to enable a smooth transition.
•
All Motorola radios certified since Feb 1997 meet the 12.5 kHz capability requirement. Most can operate in
12.5 kHz simply with a software upgrade.
•
Motorola has experts who regularly work with the FCC so we understand the issues and prepare in advance.
Motorola offers a seamless path to 12.5 kHz, allowing you to transition at your own pace.
•
Motorola radios are backwards compatible so they can operate in dual mode (12.5 kHz or 25
kHz), allowing your organization to transition to 12.5 kHz at your own pace up to the FCC
deadline.
Increase capacity and meet the Narrowbanding mandate without applying for a second channel.
Motorola is shipping two complete product families that provide greater than 12.5 kHz efficiency.
•
ASTRO 25 with APX radios for mission critical applications
•
MOTOTRBO product line for business critical applications
Most of Your Motorola Radios Are Probably
12.5kHz Compliant…
Motorola offers the broadest choice of two-way radio equipment with close to
60 models capable of operating in 12.5 kHz efficiency
● Motorola radios certified after 1997 are 12.5kHz capable
● Customers operating at 25kHz need to re-program or replace radios for 12.5kHz
operation by January 1, 2013
● Update FCC license for narrowband compliancy by January 1, 2011
Technology Equivalency
Motorola offers a seamless path to 12.5 kHz, allowing you to transition at your
own pace.
12.5 kHz Efficiency
● One voice path in 12.5 kHz
● Two voice paths in 25 kHz
● Data rates: 4.8 kbps per 6.25 kHz
– 9.6 kbps in 12.5 kHz
– 19.2 kbps in 25 kHz
Technology Equivalency
Motorola is shipping two complete product families that provide greater than
12.5 kHz efficiency.
6.25 kHz Efficiency
● One voice path in 6.25 kHz
● Two voice paths in 12.5 kHz
● Four voice paths in 25 kHz
● Data rates: 4.8 kbps per 6.25 kHz
– 9.6 kbps in 12.5 kHz
– 19.2 kbps in 25 kHz
MOTOTRBOTM
APXTM P25
Subscriber Family
Subscriber Family
Narrowband Exceptions
● Paging is exempt only on the paging channels
– Can operate at 25 kHz after Jan.1, 2013
– Paging on any other Part 90 channel must switch to 12.5
kHz
● Low Power (2 watts or less) equipment is exempt
only from certification for 6.25 kHz efficiency
mode capability
– No low power exemption for licensees – must switch to
12.5 kHz
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● No, narrowband operation in either analog or digital is acceptable
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● Licensees end up with twice as many channels
● No, Narrowbanding will provide greater spectrum efficiency, but
not additional channels.
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● Licensees end up with twice as many channels
● Hundreds of new channels will be available in 2013
● No, the spectrum allocation will be the same, however the
spectrum efficiency will be improved
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● Licensees end up with twice as many channels
● Hundreds of new channels will be available in 2013
● Interference may occur to existing 25 kHz systems
● Yes, narrowbanded channels may adversely impact remaining 25
kHz operations and newer technologies are more robust than
incumbent 25 kHz systems
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● Licensees end up with twice as many channels
● Hundreds of new channels will be available in 2013
● Interference may occur to existing 25 kHz systems
● 25 kHz may be continued after January 2013 by waiver
● No, the FCC has provided no such indication
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● Licensees end up with twice as many channels
● Hundreds of new channels will be available in 2013
● Interference may occur to existing 25 kHz systems
● 25 kHz may be continued after January 2013 by waiver
● A 6.25 kHz date certain will be adopted by the FCC
● Perhaps, but well into the future. The FCC has spent over 20 years
on the 12.5 kHz Narrowbanding initiative. If they moved at
lightening speed it would take more than 10 years…
Narrowbanding Myths & Truths
● Licensees must implement digital technology
● Licensees end up with twice as many channels
● Hundreds of new channels will be available in 2013
● Interference may occur to existing 25 kHz systems
● 25 kHz may be continued after January 2013 by waiver
● A 6.25 kHz date certain will be adopted by the FCC
● I can request two 6.25 kHz channels from my 12.5 kHz narrowband
license
● No, the FCC will grant 6.25 kHz channels on the existing 6.25 kHz
band plan.
Next Steps - Now is the time to start PREPARING
• Take inventory of your current radio equipment to verify it is 12.5 kHz
capable
• Identify radios that can be reprogrammed
• Identify radios that need to be replaced
• Review Current System Requirements
• Operations have likely changed, understand potential new system design
opportunities
• Consider narrowband analog performance impact
• Develop operational and funding plans to replace non 12.5 kHz capable
equipment
• Contact Action Communications at 1-308-632-7836 or 1-800-558-7836 for
license modifications, equipment replacements or software upgrades.