FCC Seeks Answers on Future Use of Public Safety’s 700 MHz Narrowband Spectrum
The FCC sought comment on whether it should extend or eliminate a Dec. 31, 2016, deadline requiring 700 MHz public safety narrowband licensees to change over from a 12.5 kilohertz voice efficiency standard to a 6.25 kilohertz standard. The FCC also sought comment on a 2010 National Public Safety Telecommunications Council petition asking the agency to amend its Part 90 rules to allow some air-to-ground communications using 700 MHz interoperability channels on secondary trunking channels. The NPRM was attached to a report and order tweaking the rules for the 700 MHz narrowband spectrum.
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The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, Louisiana and others have urged the FCC to extend the deadline, the agency notes (http://bit.ly/X95rMD). One option is eliminating the requirement entirely, the NPRM said. “Based on the record before us, we find that further examination of the 700 MHz narrowbanding deadline for transition to 6.25 kilohertz technology is warranted,” according to the NPRM. “Consequently, we seek comment on whether to extend the December 31, 2016, deadline as proposed by ... the majority of commenting parties. If so, and in light of the various proposals, what is the most appropriate deadline for licensees operating on 700 MHz narrowband channels to transition to 6.25 kilohertz technology? What factors should we consider in setting a new deadline?"
The NPRM also explores the NPSTC proposal, which would allow public safety aircraft to also use the 700 MHz spectrum. “Maryland and other commenters on the NPSTC petition have indicated a strong interest in airborne use of these channels so that they can incorporate air-ground communications into their 700 MHz narrowband systems,” the FCC said. “The record also indicates that the secondary trunking channels are rarely used for terrestrial communications, suggesting that they could be made available for air-ground use as proposed by NPSTC."
NPSTC proposed that airborne transmissions be limited to two watts effective radiated power, the NPRM notes. “Is this sufficient to limit the interference potential, or should the power limit be lower given the wide area of propagation?” it asks. “What is the minimum effective radiated power necessary to provide adequate communication service from aircraft flying at altitudes of 1500 feet or less above ground level?”