FCC Narrowband Update June 24, 2004

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FCC Narrowband UpdateJune 24, 2004
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Presented by

• Chief Paul Maplethorpe
• Greater Round Lake F.P.D.
• Co-Chair MABAS Communications Committee
• 847-546-6001
• WCL2600_at_aol.com

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Objectives

• Basic Radio Wave Technology
• Discuss Narrowbanding Refarming
• History of FCCs Rulemaking
• Current Status of FCC Rulemaking
• Summarize Impact on the Fire Service
• Provide Planning Guidance for Future Fire Service
  Communications

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Radio Emissions

• Radios Transmissions Electromagnetic
  Energy
• Transmitted at a Specific Frequency (Sine Wave)
  Frequency Length of Wave
• Height of Wave Amplitude Bandwidth
  Deviation

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Typical Radio Wave
Deviation (kHz)
Wavelength (MHz)
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Narrowbanding

• Reduces the Amplitude (Bandwidth) of the Radio
  Wave (Frequency)
• Allows Additional Frequencies (Channels) to be
  inserted between Existing Frequencies
• Increases the Available Radio Spectrum for Public
  Safety Other Radio Users

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Bandwidth

• Applies to Frequencies Below 512 MHz
• Current Wideband Deviation 25 kHz
• Current Narrowband Dev. 12.5 kHz
• Future Narrowband Deviation6.25 kHz

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Bandwidth Comparison
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Refarming History

• Need for Additional Radio Spectrum
• Technological Advances
• FCC Issues First Report Order in 1995
• Increase Efficiency Below 512 MHz
• Created Additional Interstitial Frequencies
• Required Manufacturers to Make Radios Capable of
  both 25 kHz and 12.5 kHz Emissions

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Problems Encountered

• Wideband Emissions Overlap New Narrowband
  Frequencies
• Interference Results
• Many Narrowband Frequencies are Currently
  Unusable in Many Areas (Chicago Metro)
• Users Not Migrating to Narrowband
  Channels/Emissions
• Older Radios Wont Work with Narrowband
  Frequencies

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FCC Takes Action

• FCC Adopts Second Report Order February
  12, 2003
• Published in Federal Register July 2003
• New Rules Effective January 13, 2004

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Effect of FCC Rulemaking

• Prohibit Applications for New Wideband Systems
  after January 13, 2004
• Restrict Modifications to Wideband Systems after
  January 13, 2004
• Prohibit Certification of New Radios Capable of
  Transmitting using Wideband Emissions on January
  1, 2005

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Effect of FCC Rulemaking

• Prohibit Manufacture Importation of Radios
  Capable of Transmitting Wideband Emissions on
  January 1, 2008
• Require all Non-Public Safety Users to Switch to
  Narrowband Emissions by January 1, 2013
• Require all Public Safety Users to Switch to
  Narrowband Emissions by January 1, 2018

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Problems with the Rulemaking

• Required all Users to License or Update Wideband
  Systems Prior to January 13, 2004
• Effectively Eliminate the Purchase of New
  Wideband Capable Radios after January 1, 2008
  (Eliminate Backwards Compatibility)
• Complicate Migration of Statewide/
• Interoperability Frequencies to Narrowband
• Place Extreme Financial Burdens on Many
  Governmental Users

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Public Safety Groups Respond

• APCO IMSA IAFC IACP NSA Known as Public
  Safety Petitioners File Request for
  Reconsideration on August 29, 2003.
• Raised Numerous Issues
• FCC ONLY Stayed Licensing Deadline of January 13,
  2004
• Final Decision Expected Late in 2004

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Impact on Fire Service

• Future FCC License Additions to Wideband
  Operations May Soon Be Limited
• New Wideband Equipment Might Not Be Available
  After January 1, 2008
• Fire Departments Must Update Communications
  Systems for Narrowband Operations

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Plan for the Future

• Develop Local Regional Statewide Plans for
  Migration to Narrowband Operations
• Add Narrowband Emission Designators to Current
  FCC Authorized Frequencies
• Budget for Replacement of Portable, Mobile Base
  Station Equipment that is Not Narrowband Capable

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Additional Information

• www.apco911.org
• www.mabasradio.org
• http//wireless.fcc.gov

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Thank you!

• Any Questions?