Narrowbanding: It really is black and white.

Public Safety communications officials cannot afford to be misinformed or underinformed about narrowbanding.  The fact is, the consequences of noncompliance to the narrowbanding mandate will be very costly and could possibly jeopardize the reliability of communications systems if the license falls between 150-512 MHz. 

If you have doubts about whether you're affected by this mandate, simply look at the frequencies on your license.  If any of them fall within the designated spectrum, you must narrowband.

Time is running out, and to avoid fines and loss of licenses, noncompliant agencies must file waivers on an individual basis. 

Visit the FCC's website to find more narrowbanding information, as well as an up to date countdown clock.

If you have questions or concerns regarding narrowbanding, contact EMR Consulting today to find out how we can help.

10 Things You Should Know About Narrowbanding

1. The deadline is approaching... very, very quickly.  The January 1st, 2013 deadline is right around the corner, and narrowbanding (formerly "refarming") is no small process.  Visit the FCC's website to find out if you fall within the affected spectrum.
2. What exactly are the requirements?  Straight from the FCC's Website:
   Any of the following meet the 12.5 kHz equivalent efficiency requirement:
   

   • One voice path in a 12.5 kHz channel
   • Two voice paths in a 25 kHz channel
   • Data operations on channels greater than 12.5 KHz must employ data rates greater than 4.8 kbps per 6.25 kHz channel, such as 19.2 kbps per 25 kHz channel
3. Some waivers will be granted.  The Commission is already gearing up to receive narrowbanding waivers, as many agencies are struggling to comply by the deadline.
4. Some waivers might NOT be granted.  Your waiver, if not subbmitted accurately and in a timely manner, and with appropriate content, could be dismissed.
5. Yes, your agency can be fined.  Up to $10,000 per day.
6. Yes, your communications system could be in jeopardy.  Especially if there are any breakdowns of communication in your agency.
7. Most Public Safety agencies cannot do it alone.  The fact is that a great deal Public Safety agencies have not been able to complete narrowbanding.
8. The good news is, you're not alone!  If you think you're the only one who is not ready, you're mistaken.  Budget cuts and rebanding have created a sparse funding environment for Public Safety.  Online resources abound for Public Safety agencies struggling with the narrowbanding process. 
9. EMR is here to help.  With 21 years of experience, and a never-give-up attitude, we will ensure your agency's safety and compliance so that you can continue to do what you do best, protecting the public.  Visit EMRConsults.com for info.
10. Time is running out.  Act today, because as the deadline approaches, and everyone scrambles to achieve compliance, resources will be diminishing.

FCC Releases Narrowbanding Deadline Reminder, FAQs

Part 90 VHF and UHF licensees within the 150-174 and 421-512 MHz bands must comply with the January 1, 2013 narrowbanding deadline, or face admonisments, license revocation, and/or monetary forfeitures of up to $16,000 for each day of operation in violation− up to $112,500. 

The Public Notice issued yesterday included detailed information about waiver procedure and Frequently Asked Questions regarding narrowbanding. 

Read the notice here.

If your agency is in need of assistance through the narrowbanding process, contact EMR Consulting today to find out how we can help.

Narrowbanding: The Countdown

Wondering how much time you have left to complete narrowbanding compliance? Take a look below.



The clock is ticking!  If your agency has yet to fully comply with the FCC's narrowbanding mandate, avoid losing your license and facing fines by contacting EMR to find out how we can help.

FCC: Narrowbanding Deadline Reaffirmed, Enforcement Looms

FCC attorney Roberto Mussenden dismissed rumored speculation of flexibility of the Commission's narrowbanding mandate last week at IWCE.  He reiterated that the deadline remains January 1, 2013, and enforcement action shall be taken against licensees in violation.  Rumors that licensees can avoid the complying with the rule by continuing to operate their old systems, but on a secondary basis, are false. 

Under the narrowbanding mandate, LMR systems shall transfer their channels from operating on 25 kHz to 12.5 kHz by the deadline.  The Commission has also indicated that it will mandate a 6.25 narrowbanding rule in the future, but the date for that transition has not been set. 

Fines, admonishment, or other enforcement will occur against licensees who have failed to comply by the deadline.  Public Safety agencies who do not comply by the deadline will likely be the subjects of interference complaints from adjacent agencies, according to Mussenden.  He also suggests currently non-compliant agencies avoid "burning time and money" in future disputes with the FCC over narrowbanding, by completing the transition as soon as possible. 

Session moderator Alan Tilles, a partner at Shulman, Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, offered a positive spin on the mandate.  Since Public Safety agencies are never overflowing with funds, budgeting crises are nothing new.  Agencies should take the opportunity of this FCC mandate to secure funds to upgrade their old equipment and improve the capabilities of their operations. 

Public Safety officials should be spending their resources, time, and energy on public safety, not regulatory issues concerning communications.  By transitioning early, agencies can avoid wasting money on unnecessary legal and consulting fees that could be spent investing in the protection of their domains. 

Contact EMR Consulting today to find out how we can assist your agency in the narrowbanding process and any other telecommunications challenges.

Narrowbanding: FDMA vs. TDMA

Agencies utilizing VHF and UHF bands are met with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) narrowbanding mandated deadline of January 1, 2013. To avoid immediate cancellation of licenses and possible fines, frequencies and equipment used must be spectrum-efficient, at one user per 12.5 kHz for voice channels or capacity of atleast 9.6 kbps per 12.5 kHz for data channels. The Commission's second-phase plan (with no formal deadline) is to further minimize VHF and UHF land mobile radio channels to 6.25 kHz or equivalent.  Many licensees are choosing solutions compliant with the 6.25 kHz plan, to avoid more upgrade expenses down the road.

Narrowbanding requires agencies to make changes and technology decisions, regarding the use of analog or digital technology, and the multiple access method. Three multiple access techniques are used in land mobile and cellular radio: frequency division multiple access (FDMA) utilizing multiple digital frequencies, time division multiple access (TDMA) which divides signals into seperate time slots, and code division multiple access (CDMA) which uses differing codes to seperate transmissions, but is irrelevant due to FCC's lack of provisioning enough spectrum for this method.

The analog vs. digital debate has been significantly swayed by the inadequacy of analog FM radios on 6.25 kHz channels, and its limitation to only FDMA systems. In order to make a comparison, the Urgent Communication's article on the matter assumes a digital system.

Project 25 Phase II, TETRA, and proprietary systems utilize TDMA method, which actually uses a combination of FDMA and TDMA. Channels are allocated, and then multiple users share the each channel at seperate time slots. FDMA systems for 6.25 kHz channels utilize NXDN and digital private mobile radio (dPMR, standardized by ETSI).

There are multiple issues to examine when agencies choose between these two system types:

• Receiver sensitivity demands a wider intermediate frequency on TDMA systems, meaning FDMA receivers generally have better sensitivity and coverage.
• Adjacent channel interference is more of a problem with narrowband receivers, which makes good frequency planning imperative.
• Battery life may be better with TDMA radios, because time slots allow the radio to be used only 50% of the time. However, for acceptable performance, both TDMA and FDMA receivers require the same amount of power per bit.
• Spectrum planning and licensing is smoothest on TDMA systems. FDMA systems must be licensed for each channel, while TDMA users simply leverage already-licensed channels using time slots. Also, adjacent-channel short spacing issues are more prevalent with FDMA systems.
• Transmitter combiners must be purchased to allow multiple radios to share an antenna. One transmitter port is required for each user on FDMA systems, while TDMA systems require one for each radio channel.
• Peer-to-peer mode is traditionally used by land mobile radio users, but TDMA systems often work through radio repeaters. A two-slot TDMA peer to peer mode is under consideration by the P25 standards committee, which will allow talk-around systems in the near future.

FDMA vendors have created organizations to support their interests, found at nxdn-forum.com and dpmr-mou.org. TDMA advocacy organizations can be found at dmrassociation.org.

If your agency is struggling to meet your narrowbanding needs on time, please contact EMR Consultants to see how we can make a difference.

Find the original article on this issue at Urgent Communications.

Communications: Countdown to the Narrowbanding Deadline

Currently, affected agencies have 318 days until the January 1, 2013 deadine to comply with new FCC regulations. Timely compliance is the only way to avoid fines and immediate cancellation of licenses. The narrowbanding order, issued to improve efficiency and decrease interference on 800 MHz systems, has been a significant challenge in public safety in recent years, and the pressure is only increasing as the date draws nearer. All land mobile radio, VHF and UHF technology, including towers, equipment, and any inventory devices, are required to switch from operation on 25 kHz systems to 12.5 kHz. Efficiency requirements for mobile data systems are 4800 bps for 6.2 kHz channels and 9800 for 12.5 kHz narrowband channels.

 

The agencies most affected by the order issued on August 6, 2004 are those in Public Safety. Technology and licenses need to have completed the transition process as soon as possible to avoid going off-air. EMR Consulting specializes is orchestrating and completing this process, providing shelter from the bureaucratic storm and alleviating the pressure of revamping an entire communications system. Our services include:

• FCC Licensing and Related Regulations
• System Design and Engineering
• Vendor Selection and Criteria
• Tower Identification and Leasing
• Presentations To Funding Authorities
• Creation and Drafting of Requests For Proposals
• Responses to Requests for Proposals
• Radio Channel Coordination and Use
• Asset Management Techniques
• FAA Clearance For Antenna Supporting Structures and Related Regulations
• Propagation Issues
• Project Management to Assure Efficient Deployment

For an accurate countdown to the deadline, see the widget at the bottom of our blog, and for in-depth information, visit the FCC's website, or see this quick guide from IAFC.

Welcome to the EMR Blog

Thank you for celebrating the maiden voyage of our EMR blog with us.  Currently we are working on some exciting updates to our online presences, and we hope that our many clients, colleagues, and associates will enjoy and find benefit from the content posted in this arena.   

We are eager to turn up the volume and share the EMR voice to provide resources in the communications industry.  Frequent posts are on the way, as well as updates to EMR's website.  Readers may look forward to press releases, updates, articles, general information and commentary on topics such as 800 MHz Rebanding, Narrowbanding, Project 25, TIA TSB-88, APCO, Radio Club of America, EMR news, and other industry information.

This being a new feature for us, we invite you to comment on and contribute to as the material found here.  Any private comments or suggestions for future posts and features are welcome as well.  Please send inquiries to kmilfort@emrconsults.com.