CCP 06-14-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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re (~ .. ADOPTED FCC RULES MIGRATION TO 12.5 kHz BANDWIDTH CHANNELS RECEiVED JUN - 9 2004 CITY OF ARDEN HIllS Background Several years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) . promulgated rules related to refarming land mobile radio frequencies below 512 MHz. Those rules were intended to encourage voluntary migration of land mobile radio users to narrow band, i.e., 12.5 kHz bandwidth, and eventually 6.25 kHz bandwidth, channels. The FCC ordered that by specific dates all new radio transmitter designs be capable of operating on 12.5 kHz bandwidth channels, and eventually, 6.25 kHz bandwidth channels, however, the radios were pennitted toalso be able to operate with 25 kHz bandwidth. The intent was to encourage users to migrate to the narrow bandwidth channels over time, while still allowing temporary use of 25 kHz per channels until older 25 kHz bandwidth only radios reached the end of their useful life. At the time when only 12.5 kHz bandwidth capable radios remain, users were expected to migrate to 12.5 kHz bandwidth channels. There has actually been little migration to use of 12.5 kHz channels as users have continued to use 25 kHz channels since the new narrow band radios will also operate on 25 kHz bandwidth channels. The basis for the refanning process was to increase the number of channels available for land mobile radio communications so that congestion could be relieved. Since the refarming rule making action by the FCC, congestion has increased making the need to move to narrow band channels even more essential. On July 17, 2003, the FCC published an order that requires that land mobile radio users below 512 MHz will be forced to migrate to use of 12.5 kHz bandwidth channels in the near future, and probably to 6.25 kHz bandwidth channels at a later date. Summary of Adopted Rules 1. The rules apply to land mobile radio frequencies below 512 MHz. 800 MHz frequencies are not included. 2. After December 31,2004, the FCC will prohibit the certification for manufacture of any radio transmitter in the land mobile radio service that is capable of operating on a 25 kHz bandwidth radio channel. 3. The FCC will prohibit the manufacture or importation of any radio capable of operating on a 25 kHz bandwidth radio channel after December 31,2007.