MIDCOM Service - Narrowband

MIDCOM Service - Two-way Radio Sales and Service

Narrowband, what is it?

First, let's begin with a little background. All two-way radios use a radio channel that has a particular size. In the past, all radio channels were 25 kHz wide. Any older radio, designed to work on a 25 kHz channel, will now be referred to as "wideband".

As far back as 1992, our friends at the FCC began a process known as "refarming". One of the goals of refarming was to create more radio channels to meet the needs of two-way radio users. In short, the FCC decided to create "new" radio channels that were one half the size of the older ones. Changing the channel size effectively makes twice as many radio channels. So, the new two-way radio channels will now be 12.5 kHz in size and known as "narrowband".

As the process of "refarming" moved along, the FCC created mandates for the two-way radio equipment manufacturers. In 1997, all new two-way radio models had to be capable of operation on the "new 12.5 kHz narrowband" channels. The idea was to begin to move gently toward narrowband channel operation over time. At that time, the FCC did not create any mandates to remove older wideband radio units from service or require you to use a new narrowband channel.

Recent FCC Actions, narrowband mandates

On February 25, 2003 the FCC released the "narrowband" mandates. These actions were designed to phase in narrowband (12.5 kHz) and phase out the older wideband (25 kHz) channels over the next 10 years. The process consisted of 4 main mandates. The first 15 pages of FCC Document 03-34 (PDF format) outlined the details of the original narrowband mandates. On December 23, 2004, the FCC issued revisions to the original documents and dates.

Download FCC Document 03-34.pdf.

Download the FCC revisions, December 23, 2004 FCC Document 04-292A1.pdf

The newest Public Notice, dated June 29, 2010, from the FCC on the narrowband mandates: Download FCC Notice FCC 10-119.pdf.

Mandate 1)
All existing wideband (older) radios may continue to operate until January 1, 2013. Public Safety has until January 1, 2018. After that date, two-way radios must operate completely on the new "narrowband" (12.5 kHz) channels.

FCC revision, December 23, 2004: All users, Business, Industrial and Public Safety now have a common date for narrowband compliance, January 1, 2013.

Mandate 2)
Two-way radio manufacturers cannot manufacture, import or sell any models of wideband (25 kHz) equipment after January 1, 2008.

FCC revision, December 23, 2004: A 3 year extension has now been granted. Wideband / narrowband dual mode radios may continue to be sold until January 1, 2011. More time has been granted to become narrowband ready.

FCC revision, July 30, 2010: The FCC revises the ban on sales of wide/narrow model two-way radios. Current production models with 25 kHz wide and 12.5 kHz narrow modes (current models only, no new models) may continue to be manufactured and sold beyond the January 1, 2011 deadline. See our News page for details.

Mandate 3)
Manufacturers who submit any new two-way radio models for FCC certification after January 1, 2005 may not offer new radios that contain the ability to operate on older wideband (25 kHz) channels.

FCC revision, December 23, 2004: Currently, this FCC deadline for the manufacturers is stayed. For now, newer models may continue to offer wideband / narrowband dual operation.

Mandate 4)
After January 13, 2004, FCC license applications for new radio systems will not be accepted for older wideband (25 kHz) channels. In addition, limitations will be placed upon modifications (changes) to any existing wideband FCC licenses.

FCC revision, December 23, 2004: The FCC will continue to accept wideband applications until equipment is no longer offered for sale. In other words, wideband applications are now acceptable until January 1, 2011.

Summary of the Mandates

After the December 23, 2004 revisions, you may continue to license your existing two-way radio systems in the older wideband mode. After January 1, 2011, you will not be able to purchase any new two-way radio equipment that will operate in the (old) wideband mode. On January 1, 2013 all entities will have to take the obsolete wideband equipment out of service.

How this affects you

For now, all older two-way radio systems will continue to operate as they have in the past. Short term, do not let your existing FCC license expire under any circumstances. If you should receive anything in the mail concerning your FCC license, call MIDCOM immediately for assistance. You do not want to lose your current wideband license.

During 2011, we will be converting our customers to narrowband. There is a lot to do and our plan is to move steadily forward. We will contact you to schedule a day to final program your units to narrowband operation. As the very last step, MIDCOM will modify your FCC license to narrowband emission. It is time to get this done.

Keep your two-way radio systems in operation. Call MIDCOM Service ! We will help you determine where you stand and how to proceed.

Steve@midcomservice.com
Call us at (231) 773-3107