TexasTalks Dec 2002 page 10

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Regional Planning Committees (RPC’s). There are 55 Regions that, for the most part, are the same as the 821 MHz Regions. Before a non-state agency can implement a 700 MHz system, the region in which it resides must have completed a Regional Plan, submitted that Plan to the FCC and the FCC must have approved it. Until an FCC-approved Regional Plan is in place, no licenses can be filed. (See the third article for a list of RPC’s and the chair/convener where appointed.)

Once the Regional Plan is written and approved, applications would be submitted to the Regional Planning

Committee for review. RPC-approved applications would be forwarded to a PS frequency coordinator selected by the applicant. The coordinator would then forward the application to the FCC for review and eventual grant. The Regional Plans will be available on the CAPRAD database.

Mandatory Transition to 6.25 kHz or equivalent technologies on the State and General Use Narrowband Channels: The FCC recently decided to establish a timeline for public safety to transition to 6.25 kHz bandwidth or equivalent technologies on the state and general use narrowband channels. Applications for new authorizations received on or after 1/1/07 must be for 6.25 kHz bandwidth or 6.25 kHz equivalent technologies. Licenses granted on applications received on or before 12/31/06 are considered legacy licenses and can operate at 12.5 kHz bandwidth until 12/31/16. The FCC also decided to restrict sale of 12.5 kHz-only equipment after 12/31/06.

Equipment sold after that date must be dual-mode (12.5/6.25kHz) or 6.25 kHz bandwidth or 6.25 kHz equivalent efficiencies. See the July 2002 edition of “The Communicator” for more details.

Interoperability Channels: Channels have been designated for interoperability in both the narrowband and wideband allocations. Most states chose to administer the I/O channels either by establishing a State Interoperability Executive Committee (SIEC) or using a similar entity. Some states decided to delegate the responsibility to the RPC’s. Administration of the I/O channels automatically reverted to the RPC’s in states that failed to advise the FCC of a decision by 12/31/01.

Administration of the I/O channels involves developing an interoperability plan, deciding where I/O systems will be needed, determining who will share the system and who will hold the license (s). The states can decide to hold individual licenses for the base stations, or can authorize the local agency to hold the license. As with the 821 Mutual Aid channels, only I/O base stations require licensing. Mobile use of the 700 MHz I/O channels is licensed ‘by rule’ – no specific license is needed if the entity is a Public Safety eligible under 90.523.

Implementation of a narrowband interoperability infrastructure can begin as soon as the state has developed an Interoperability Plan. Unlike the Regional Plans that apply to the General Use channels, the FCC does not have to approve a state’s interoperability plan. Base stations on the I/O channels require frequency coordination – through any of the FCC-approved PS coordinators – and licensing. The CAPRAD database will be used to house each state’s I/O plan.