FCC Narrowbanding

What You Need to Know:

On January 1, 2013, all public safety and business industrial land mobile radio systems operating in the 150-512 MHz radio bands must cease operating using 25 kHz efficiency technology, and begin operating using at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology. 

This deadline is the result of an FCC effort that began almost two decades ago to ensure more efficient use of the spectrum and greater spectrum access for public safety and non-public safety users. Migration to 12.5 kHz efficiency technology (once referred to as Refarming, but now referred to as Narrowbanding) will allow the creation of additional channel capacity within the same radio spectrum, and support more users.

After January 1, 2013, licensees not operating at 12.5 KHz efficiency will be in violation of the Commission's rules and could be subject to FCC enforcement action, which may include admonishment, monetary fines, or loss of license.

How CommUSA can help:

  • Assist with the FCC License processing. We can modify an existing license or obtain new license if do not have a license. We will handle the whole process.
  • Assist with identifying which products you currently have that can be narrow-banded by re-programming.
  • Help with the programming to narrowband or help with replacing products that are not narrowbandable.