What is Narrowbanding?

The narrowbanding program has been instituted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create additional two-way radio channels by restructuring the way our current radio channels have been licensed. For this program to succeed, all current FCC licenses held by public safety entities (police, fire and EMS) must be modified to reflect these changes. The FCC has mandated that this change be accomplished by each public safety entity no later than January 1, 2013. Any entity operating your two-way radios after this date without a modified license will be subject to serious penalties.

What should my department do to prepare to meet the FCC mandate?

• Consult your radio vendor to determine which equipment is narrowband capable.
• Budget locally for compatible equipment not covered by grants.
• Start the discussion now about the transition to narrowband.
  • Discuss with mutual aid departments
  • Discuss with your dispatching agency or PSAP
  • Develop a plan to implement how each department or group will reprogram for narrowbanding
  • UTAC & VTAC channels already programmed can help in this transition
• When possible repeaters and bases should be programmed with the narrowband frequencies to facilitate the transition.
• When possible portable and mobile radios could be programmed with the narrowband frequencies (in addition to the "old frequencies") to make for a rapid switch when a transition date is picked.

What is the FCC frequency coordination process?

How to Modify Your FCC License for Narrowband

How to Modify Your FCC License for Narrowband

APCO Coordinating Services 

For further information please see the following resources:

• FCC Narrowbanding Mandate: A Public Safety Guide for Compliance
• The FCC Narrowbanding Program
• Public Safety Frequency Coordinators