FCC Narrowbanding Mandate

What you need to know...

The narrowbanding mandate is to the two-way radio industry what the digital converter box was to the television industry. In 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that by January 1, 2013, all land mobile radios (LMRs) within the 150-174 MHz and 421- 512 MHz range must migrate from wide band (25 khz) to narrowband (12.5 khz). Essentially, this will consolidate existing private users and increase channel availability for federal use.
 

What does this mean to me?

The deadline for narrowbanding is sooner than you think! Follow these steps to ensure your compatibility with FCC requirements:

1. Assess your equipment. As a rule of thumb, if your radios are 10-15 years old, there is a chance they are not narrowbandable (depending on the make and model), which means they will need to be discarded or replaced. All radios will need to be checked to see if they have been programmed to narrowband, Contact Triangle for your free assessment.
2. Start planning. This may require more planning than you might think, because the radios being narrowbanded may be unusable for a time. It is your responsibility to determine when your radios (and which ones) might be most easily taken temporarily out of service to be narrowbanded. Don’t worry though! Triangle will work with you to make this move as smooth as possible.
3. Make the migration. Once you have figured out the best way to go through with the migration, go for it! Be prepared for minor bumps along the way. You may find out that some radios do not comply or you may need replacements. Triangle will help you make the best decisions.

What happens if I don’t comply?

LMR Systems that are not narrowbanded by January 1, 2013 risk the loss of radio communications, substantial FCC fines, and/or revocation of FCC Licenses. Many of Triangle’s customers already are in compliance with this mandate. If you are uncertain about your company’s compliance, contact your local Triangle customer service representative to confirm your status.

Learn more about narrowbanding here