The FCC has announced new narrowbanding mandates that may affect your Two Way Radio System. The changes the FCC has announced are similar to the recent cable television mandates from Analog to Digital.
Here are a few of the changes that may affect your Two-Way Radio System:
January 1, 2011:
- Manufacturers cannot manufacture or import equipment operating with a maximum channel bandwidth greater than 12.5 kHz unless it demonstrates a 12.5 kHz or better equivalent spectrum efficiency.
- Any new equipment submitted to FCC for certification must be capable of operating in 6.25 kHz channels or equivalent spectrum efficiency, e.g., two voice paths in a 12.5 kHz channel.
- Applications for new systems or modification applications that expand the authorized contour of an existing system operating at greater than 12.5 kHz equivalent spectrum efficiency will not be accepted.
January 1, 2013:
- Radio systems must operate in 12.5 kHz equivalent spectrum efficiency or better.
If you are still operating on 25 kHz radios like most users, these mandates will affect you in less than one and a half years. You will no longer be able to purchase Two-Way Radios to add on or replace any of your existing equipment without changing to 12.5 kHz. Now is the time to start preparing for these mandates. Communications USA is offering free analysis of your current FCC License and Radio System to prepare you for these changes. Please call your Communications Consultant today at 800.338.1949 for a free Analysis.