What are the potential enforcement consequences to VHF/UHF licensees of failing to narrowband by January 1, 2013?
As of January 1, 2013, the Commission’s rules will prohibit Industrial/Business and Public Safety Radio Pool licensees in the 150-174 MHz and 421-512 MHz bands from operating with wideband channels (unless their equipment meets the narrowband efficiency standard), even if the license still lists a wideband emission designator. Licensees operating in wideband mode after January 1, 2013 that have not received a waiver from the Commission extending the deadline will be in violation of these rules. Operation in violation of the Commission’s rules may subject licensees to appropriate enforcement action, including admonishments, license revocation, and/or monetary forfeitures of up to $16,000 for each such violation or each day of a continuing violation and up to $112,500 for any single act or failure to act.11
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PREPARING TO MEET THE MANDATE
With deadlines approaching rapidly, licensees who have not started their narrowband migration should considering the following steps today:- Take an inventory of your radios to assess what equipment is capable of operating in 12.5 kHz and what will need to be replaced. The FCC has required all radios certified since 1997 to include a 12.5 kHz efficiency mode, most new equipment likely is dual mode 25/12.5 kHz that can be simple converted via software.
- Develop budget requirements and explore funding options.
- Establish a conversion and implementation schedule.
- Coordinate your conversion with neighboring agencies to facilitate continued interoperability among your agencies
- Conduct tests during conversion to ensure your system continues to provide similar coverage.
