History

The process began in 1991 and the the FCC mandated that all public radio communication equipment, located in the VHF and UHF bands, be narrowband capable beginning in 1996. The reason for the switch to narrowband technology is to allow more users on the band at one time, meaning the airwaves are used more efficiently, which is the goal of the FCC.

In Second R&O (2003)The FCC gave licensees deadlines to migrate to 12.5 kHz technology or utilize a technology that achieves equivalent efficiency. Public Safety narrowband deadline was set at January 1, 2018 and the Industrial/Businss narrowband deadline was set to January 1, 2013.

In the Third R&O (2004)The FCC delayed all 2nd R&O interim deadlines to January 1, 2011, Accelerated public safety narrowbanding deadline from January 1, 2018 to January 1, 2013, consistent with the Industrial/Business deadline. The FCC took these action because the Commission found that the 10-year period from 2003 to 2013 was sufficient time to allow public safety to plan for transition and amortize existing equipment. The Commission noted that public safety commenters “unanimously” represented that they could meet the 2013 deadline.

In the Fourth MO&O, the FCC addressed a petition for reconsideration and a request for clarification of the Third R&O. Specifically, the Commission clarified that a notice of proposed rulemaking will be released prior to adoption of a 6.25 kHz technology transition schedule; and that language in the Third R&O encouraging licensees to consider migrating directly to 6.25 kHz technology was not intended to dissuade migration to 12.5 kHz technology by licensees that have already begun the process.

In December of 2009 the FCC released a Public Notice to remind interested parties of the Commission’s deadlines for private land mobile radio services in the 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz bands to migrate to narrowband (12.5 kHz or narrower) technology. The Commission directed that a Public Notice be issued by December 31, 2009 reminding licensees and frequency coordinators of the approaching deadlines. This Public Notice also provides additional information regarding the transition to narrowbanding technology.