Narrowbanding

Are you ready for the FCC's upcoming narrowbanding deadlines? We can help.  

What Is Narrowbanding?

The radio frequency spectrum is currently split up into 25-kilohertz channels. As a result, there is only a limited number of channels available, and they're filling up. The FCC has decided to fix that by shrinking the size of the channels from 25 kilohertz to 12.5 kilohertz, allowing for twice as many channels in the same spectrum space.  

7 Steps to Narrowbanding Compliance (243kb PDF)

An article published in Radio Resource Magazine

What does it mean for us?

Narrowbanding means that your current radios may require replacement or reprogramming. Communications Service can help you audit your existing radios to determine whether they must be replaced or simply reprogrammed, so you can start budgeting now!

What are the narrowbanding deadlines?

The FCC has mandated the following deadlines that directly affect you:

January 1st, 2011: Beyond this date,

1. The FCC will stop renewing licenses for 25KHz channels
2. The FCC prohibits manufacture of 25KHz-compatible equipment

Everyone will be affected, so you should start planning and possibly budgeting for the conversion. Many will not have to purchase new radios as most radio equipment manufactured in the last 5-10 years can be reprogrammed to support narrowband channels.

January 1st, 2013: Beyond this date, the FCC has mandated that NO 25KHz channels can remain in operation.

We can help. The "narrowbanding specialists" at Communications Service can help determine your narrowbanding upgrade requirements, and estimate the cost of reprogramming or replacement of old non-narrowband-capable radio systems and portables. We may also be able to help identify sources of potential grant money for the narrowband mandate. Contact an account executive today.

(Graphic source)