UPDATE: Shulman Rogers has created a clearinghouse for narrowbanding issues and discussions. Visit: http://www.twrcommunications.com/~narrowband/index.html
IWCE'S NARROWBANDING INITIATIVE
THE MANDATE
By the end of 2012, all private land mobile radio users operating below 512 MHz must move to 12.5 kHz narrowband voice channels and highly efficient data channel operations. If they don’t, they will be in violation of their license and subject to fine by the FCC. In addition, the FCC will not be allowing any new licenses for systems operating with 25 kHz wide channels, or expansion of existing systems, after January 1, 2011. That means after December 31, 2010 – THIS YEAR – operators will need to make decisions regarding how they intend to comply by the end of 2012.
Two-way radio and other wireless system operators have a big challenge ahead. And IWCE 2010 wants to help.
THE SOLUTION
IWCE's Narrowbanding Initiative brings three important sessions to its audience, each dedicated to a different aspect of this vital topic. Below are the agendas for each session, with a link to the formal description.
Narrowbanding 101 Workshop
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 – 1-5 pm
Mussenden, Latif, Bender, Olson, Carter
I. Basic Narrowbanding Rules – Alan Tilles
II. FCC December 2009 Public Notice and Subsequent FCC Developments – Roberto Mussenden
III. FCC Application Procedures For Narrowband Compliance - Farokh Latif
a. Emission Designator Addition/Removal
i. When To Add
ii. When To Remove
iii. How To File
iv. Impact Of Failure To File
b. Narrowbanding Impact on Other Rules
i. HAAT/Power Grandfathering
ii. Other Rules
IV. Preparing and Implementing A Narrowband System
a. Equipment
i. Technology (Not Manufacturer) Options – Klaus Bender
ii. Budgeting Decisions – Klaus Bender
iii. Considerations In Narrowbanding A Wideband Transmitter – Klaus Bender
b. Coverage Impact Of Implementing Narrowband Equipment – Bernie Olson
V. Public Safety Regional Interoperability Planning – Bill Carter
a. How Does Your Narrowband Impact Your Current Interoperability?
b. How Can You Leverage Narrowbanding To Increase Your Interoperability?
VI. Finding New Frequencies In A Narrowband Environment
a. LMCC Coordination Procedures – Klaus Bender
b. PSCC Coordination Procedures/Public Safety – Farokh Latif
c. Alternative Interference Calculation Methodologies – Bernie Olson
Narrowbanding: Migrating to the 12.5 KHz - or Even the 6.25 KHz - by 2011
Thursday, March 11, 2010 – 10:00-11:10 a.m.
Ittner, Lougee, Speidel, Imlay
I. Basic Narrowbanding Rules – Alan Tilles
II. The Equipment Options
a. 12.5 kHz Analog
b. 12.5 kHz Digital
c. 6.25 kHz Digital
III. Issues To Consider In Your System Upgrade
a. P25 Equipment
i. Important?
ii. Necessary?
iii. NIST/DHS Compliance Assessment Program
b. Migration Strategies
c. Maintaining Interoperability – The Railroad Example
d. Being Proactive And Not Reactive
General Session: Narrowbanding: Meet the Mythbusters
Friday, March 12, 2010 – 8:30-10:00 am
Ittner, Bender, Devine, Mussenden
Mythbusting Issues:
1. Reduction of Coverage Area
2. Converting Old Equipment
3. Grandfathering Status For High Sites
4. Wideband Equipment Availability 2011-2012
a. Parts For Repairs
5. Paging Channels Remaining Wideband
6. 6.25 kHz Mandatory Conversion
7. Maintaining Current Channel Centers
8. Post 2012 Wideband Operation
9. The License Conversion Process by the FCC
10. Canadian Coordination
11. Going Digital – A Must Or A May?
12. Getting Two Channels By Narrowbanding
13. Must You Buy New Equipment?
14. Protecting a 25 kHz System from Interference
15. Must A Public Safety Licensee Go P25?