The state of Fla. petitioned the FCC for reconsideration of an or...
The state of Fla. petitioned the FCC for reconsideration of an order that set a schedule for migrating private land mobile radio service systems below 800 MHz to more-efficient narrowband technology. In the Feb. 25 order, the FCC had…
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said its current approach of encouraging spectrum efficiency in those bands on equipment certification wasn’t enough by itself to spark a shift to more-efficient technology. Fla. raised concerns about the “potentially harmful consequences” to users of interoperability channels but lauded the FCC for moving toward more-efficient use below 512 MHz as the migration to narrowband technology moved ahead. Fla.’s challenge cited provisions that would bar any application for new operations using 25 kHz channels and any applications for changes that expanded an authorized contour if the bandwidth was greater than 12.5 kHz. The petition noted that many state and local govt. agencies now were licensed for interoperability channels and in the future might need to apply for new licenses or modifications. Those channels aren’t necessarily recognized nationwide, but in many cases have been in use for decades by “multiple agencies,” the state said. “These interoperability channels satisfy critical public safety needs throughout Florida in the frequency bands below 800 MHz, and in some instances, with our neighboring states, as well,” it said. “It would be inadvertent for state or local government agencies to allow licenses to expire when the stations are clearly in operation and are intended to remain so.” Under the order, applications for such channels would have to be resubmitted as “new” after they expired and would be subject to narrowband requirements after the 6-month period in the order, Fla. said. “Similarly, the expansion of existing interoperability radio systems would be subject to narrowband requirements after the 6-month window,” it said. The state asked the FCC to: (1) Allow an exemption, until Jan. 1, 2018, for new or modified applications on recognized interoperability frequencies. (2) Or grant a “broad waiver” for applications on interoperability channels. (3) Or give “favorable consideration” to waiver requests if accompanied by a letter of support justifying operations on bandwidths greater than 12.5 kHz. Such a letter would have to come from a govt. body that had purview over a state’s communications plan for the frequencies.