FCC Releases 800 MHz Rules Designed To Protect Public Safety From Interference
The FCC approved rules designed to guard against interference to public safety communications in the 800 MHz National Public Safety Planning Advisory Committee (NPSPAC) band. The order confirms the emission mask for digital transmissions in the NPSPAC band. The FCC…
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also specified analog FM as the standard emission for use on all interoperability channels in the spectrum. “We lessen the possibility that first responders will encounter harmful interference in the NPSPAC band and provide certainty to manufacturers concerning the capabilities required of radios used for interoperable communications,” the FCC said. It said the rule changes adopted “provide certainty to public safety entities, Regional Planning Committees (RPCs), equipment manufacturers and equipment testing laboratories and will ensure that licensed facilities operate under uniform technical parameters to maintain the existing interference environment in the NPSPAC band and promote interoperability.” Commissioner Mike O’Rielly approved part of the order, but concurred on other parts because of concerns the FCC was imposing a technology mandate. The order mandates all public safety radios operating on the 800 MHz, VHF and UHF mutual aid and interoperability bands “must have analog FM capability,” he said. “While I understand the pursuit of interoperability on interoperability channels, industry, despite not having a technology requirement, has adopted FM analog as the de facto standard in these bands. Therefore, this requirement seems unnecessary.” O’Rielly said it was “ridiculous in today’s digital world to be requiring that devices have less efficient, analog technology.” O’Rielly also questioned whether the FCC is doing adequate cost-benefit analysis before handing down a mandate. “As long as the Commission continues to shirk its obligations, I reiterate my plea to stakeholders that they inform our analysis by providing data about the cost savings of their proposals or the possible costs of Commission rules,” he said. The report and order was approved by the commission last week and released Monday.