12.5 khz narrowbanding the mandate to 12.5 khz operations meeting the fcc narrowbanding requirements

12.5 kHz NarrowbandingThe Mandate to 12.5 kHz Operations

Meeting the FCC Narrowbanding Requirements

What is Narrowbanding?What is Narrowbanding?

● Federal Communications Commission is mandating all Public Safety and Industrial/Business licensees must convert existing 25 kHz efficiency operations in VHF and UHF to minimum 12.5 kHz efficiency analog or digital operation by January 1, 2013

● To get there, the FCC set interim deadline requirements on licensees and manufacturers

● FCC has NOT set any date by which licensees must operate in 6.25 kHz FCC has NOT set any date by which licensees must operate in 6.25 kHz efficiencyefficiency

Licensee Interim RequirementsLicensee Interim Requirements

● New license applications must specify at least 12.5 kHz efficiency

● License modification applications to expand authorized service areas must specify at least 12.5 kHz efficiency

January 1, 2011:

Manufacturer Interim RequirementsManufacturer Interim Requirements

February 14, 1997:

● Radio equipment certification submittals must include a 12.5 kHz efficiency mode – can be dual mode 25/12.5 kHz efficiency

January 1, 2011:

● Can no longer certify, manufacture or import 25 kHz capable equipment – must disable mode via software

● New radio equipment certification submittals must include a 6.25 kHz efficiency mode – can be dual mode 12.5/6.25 kHz efficiency

Motorola’s Support of Narrowbanding

Motorola offers the broadest choice of two-way radio equipment capable ofoperating in 12.5 kHz efficiency.

• Motorola has almost 60 models that operate at 12.5 kHz.

• Motorola has been preparing for 12.5 kHz for over a decade to enable a smooth transition.• All Motorola radios certified since Feb 1997 meet the 12.5 kHz capability requirement. Most can operate in

12.5 kHz simply with a software upgrade.

• Motorola has experts who regularly work with the FCC so we understand the issues and prepare in advance.

Motorola offers a seamless path to 12.5 kHz, allowing you to transition at your own pace.

• Motorola radios are backwards compatible so they can operate in dual mode (12.5 kHz or 25 kHz), allowing your organization to transition to 12.5 kHz at your own pace up to the FCC deadline.

Increase capacity and meet the Narrowbanding mandate without applying for a second channel.Motorola is shipping two complete product families that provide greater than 12.5 kHz efficiency.

• ASTRO 25 with APX radios for mission critical applications

• MOTOTRBO product line for business critical applications

Most of Your Motorola Radios Are Probably 12.5kHz Compliant…

Most of Your Motorola Radios Are Probably 12.5kHz Compliant…

Motorola offers the broadest choice of two-way radio equipment with close to 60 models capable of operating in 12.5 kHz efficiency

● Motorola radios certified after 1997 are 12.5kHz capable

● Customers operating at 25kHz need to re-program or replace radios for 12.5kHz operation by January 1, 2013

● Update FCC license for narrowband compliancy by January 1, 2011

Technology EquivalencyTechnology Equivalency

12.5 kHz Efficiency

● One voice path in 12.5 kHz

● Two voice paths in 25 kHz

● Data rates: 4.8 kbps per 6.25 kHz

– 9.6 kbps in 12.5 kHz

– 19.2 kbps in 25 kHz

12.5 kHz Efficiency


● Two voice paths in 25 kHz




Motorola offers a seamless path to 12.5 kHz, allowing you to transition at your own pace.

Technology EquivalencyTechnology Equivalency

6.25 kHz Efficiency


● Two voice paths in 12.5 kHz

● Four voice paths in 25 kHz




6.25 kHz Efficiency


● Two voice paths in 12.5 kHz

● Four voice paths in 25 kHz




Motorola is shipping two complete product families that provide greater than 12.5 kHz efficiency.

MOTOTRBOTM Subscriber Family

APXTM P25 Subscriber Family

Narrowband ExceptionsNarrowband Exceptions

● Paging is exempt only on the paging channels

– Can operate at 25 kHz after Jan.1, 2013

– Paging on any other Part 90 channel must switch to 12.5 kHz

● Low Power (2 watts or less) equipment is exempt only from certification for 6.25 kHz efficiency mode capability

– No low power exemption for licensees – must switch to 12.5 kHz

Narrowbanding Myths & TruthsNarrowbanding Myths & Truths

● Licensees must implement digital technology

● No, narrowband operation in either analog or digital is acceptable


● Licensees end up with twice as many channels

● No, Narrowbanding will provide greater spectrum efficiency, but not additional channels.




● Hundreds of new channels will be available in 2013

● No, the spectrum allocation will be the same, however the spectrum efficiency will be improved





● Interference may occur to existing 25 kHz systems

● Yes, narrowbanded channels may adversely impact remaining 25 kHz operations and newer technologies are more robust than incumbent 25 kHz systems






● 25 kHz may be continued after January 2013 by waiver

● No, the FCC has provided no such indication







● A 6.25 kHz date certain will be adopted by the FCC

● Perhaps, but well into the future. The FCC has spent over 20 years on the 12.5 kHz Narrowbanding initiative. If they moved at lightening speed it would take more than 10 years…







● A 6.25 kHz date certain will be adopted by the FCC

● I can request two 6.25 kHz channels from my 12.5 kHz narrowband license

● No, the FCC will grant 6.25 kHz channels on the existing 6.25 kHz band plan.


Next Steps - Now is the time to start PREPARINGNext Steps - Now is the time to start PREPARING

• Take inventory of your current radio equipment to verify it is 12.5 kHz capable

• Identify radios that can be reprogrammed• Identify radios that need to be replaced

• Review Current System Requirements• Operations have likely changed, understand potential new system design

opportunities• Consider narrowband analog performance impact

• Develop operational and funding plans to replace non 12.5 kHz capable equipment

• Contact Action Communications at 1-308-632-7836 or 1-800-558-7836 for license modifications, equipment replacements or software upgrades.

12.5 khz narrowbanding the mandate to 12.5 khz operations meeting the fcc narrowbanding requirements

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