The FCC seeks comment on a rulemaking based...

The NPRM said the FCC is proposing that digital technologies, “including but not limited to Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) based technologies,” must comply with emissions mask H when operating in 800 MHz National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee spectrum (http://bit.ly/150svh5). The NPRM also proposes that equipment must have analog FM capability when operating on 800 MHz, VHF and UHF public safety mutual aid and interoperability channels. “Until recently, manufacturers generally have interpreted Part 90 rules to preclude use of Mask B in public safety frequencies due to the obvious and inevitable interference facing first responders should Mask B be applied in public safety frequencies,” Harris said in the petition (http://bit.ly/12IyTM4). “To be specific, digital technology meeting the more stringent Mask H emissions requirements is almost universally utilized in public safety frequencies used by first responders and others protecting life, health, and property.” But there have been recent moves to use equipment that is only certified to mask B in public safety spectrum, Harris said. “These products meet the Mask B emissions standard, but fail that of Mask H,” the company said. There will be “inevitable interference ... if digital equipment only meeting Mask B are utilized in or near public safety frequencies where other technologies, compliant with Mask H operate.” Alcatel-Lucent opposed the Harris petition, saying it’s “unnecessary, repetitive and anticompetitive” and a “collateral attack” by Harris on New Jersey Transit’s selection of Alcatel-Lucent as a vendor addressing the agency’s communications needs using PowerTrunk’s digital land mobile radio solution in the 800 MHz band (http://bit.ly/17dafGU). “From the moment NJT chose Alcatel-Lucent’s proposal as best meeting NJT’s needs with respect to price and functionality, Harris has explored every angle to block that decision to no avail, including by incorrectly claiming that the Commission rules did not permit NJT’s proposed operations,” Alcatel-Lucent said. The comment deadline on the NPRM will come with publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register. The FCC also froze (http://bit.ly/17hUDjB) certain applications to use the NPSPAC channels, pending completion of the rulemaking, including those “where the applicant specifies digitally modulated equipment that does not conform to Emission Mask H will not be accepted” and “where the applicant specifies equipment not capable of analog FM modulation on the NPSPAC mutual aid channels will not be accepted.”