Myth: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to "go digital" (i.e. P25; NXDN; MotoTRBO)
Myth: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to use 6.25 KHz emissions
Myth: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to change to a new frequency or band
Myth: The Narrowbanding Mandate requires licensees to use trunking technology
The above claims are false in the context of any of them actually being required to comply with the
narrowbanding mandate. They may, however, be valid OPTIONS for consideration by individual
licensees or certain types of radio system user groups (i.e. Public Safety) when comparing the
features, capabilities, benefits and added value those advanced technology options offer with
those provided by existing radio systems and/or, in determining whether present systems still
effectively meet a licensees current and future communications needs and requirements
Myth: Wideband licensees may continue to operate on a "secondary user" basis after 01/01/2013
Not true. ALL Part 90 VHF and UHF two way voice and data radio systems must be operating in a
12.5 KHz narrowband (or equivalent) mode on or before the 01/01/2013 date
Myth: Everybody must narrowband again by 2017
This myth is inaccurate. This date applies only to Public Safety 700 MHz systems which must be operating with 6.25 KHz emissions/equivalency by January 1, 2017. Part 90 150-174 MHz (VHF) and 421-512 MHz (UHF) licensees are NOT required to migrate to 6.25 KHz emissions/equvalency by this date
Myth: 3rd Party narrowbanding "kits" may be used to modify equipment to comply with the Mandate
No. "To be compliant with the commission's rules, the radio must be specifically certificated for
narrowband use under Part 90" (Ira Keltz, deputy chief, FCC's Office of Engineering and
Technology - http://missioncriticalmag.com/onlyonline.cfm?OnlyOnlineID=147 01/20/2010
and http://missioncriticalmag.com/onlyonline.cfm?OnlyOnlineID=151 02/02/2010)
Also see the FCC's responses to FAQ's regarding other Narrowbanding scenarios
Reality: Part 90 narrowbanding is NOT optional
Reality: Do NOT ignore the narrowbanding compliance date of January 1, 2013
Reality: Failure to comply WILL result in license revocation and/or monetary penalties
Reality: Until all subscriber and infrastructure radios in a system have been either replaced or re-programmed
to operate in the narrowband mode, many existing radio systems may still be operating in the wide-
band mode - do you know the status of YOUR system?
Reality: Interference WILL occur to wideband systems as new narrowband systems are
deployed on narrowband frequencies adjacent to those used by wideband systems
Reality: After 01/01/2013, any Part 90 system still operating in the wideband mode that causes
interference to compliant narrowband systems will be subject to several FCC enforcement
actions, including the immediate shut down of the offending system
Reality: Low, potentially distorted, or unintelligible audio or, corrupted data, WILL occur
between wideband and narrowband devices operating in the same system
Reality: Narrowbanding WILL require well-planned and coordinated implementation strategies
to avoid disruption of normal day-to-day radio communications and operations
Reality: After 01/01/2013, all dual-mode capable 25/12.5 KHz radio equipment must be operated
only in the 12.5 KHz narrowband mode
Reality: The Narrowbanding Mandate does NOT apply to Low Band (30-50 MHz) 220, 700, 800
or 900 MHz systems, nor to FRS, GMRS, MURS, Amateur, Marine VHF, or CB radio users
