WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission last week changed its rules regarding when private wireless users must get permission to use centralized trunking systems.
In centralized trunking systems, the repeater assigns the channels. This differs from decentralized trunking, where the mobile radio monitors all of the frequencies in a designated area before assigning a channel.
Currently, centralized trunking systems users must obtain permission from all other licensees within a 70-mile radius. The Land Mobile Communications Council believed this rule was overly excessive and urged the FCC last July to change the rule. The new rules require applicants to obtain consent only on those areas where interference occurs.
Additionally, frequency coordinators will be allowed to place a 60-day hold where consent is being obtained, said Michael Wilhelm of the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.
Finally, a 10-channel limit is being imposed. Members of the business/industrial pool will be allowed more channels once construction has occurred on the first 10. Members of the public-safety pool may get additional channels if a need is demonstrated.
The rules are the last in a series of decisions in the long-running refarming proceeding, which consolidated 20 frequency pools into two. The FCC released a decision on other implementation questions in April but reserved the trunking questions for later. The decision was adopted at last week’s Wireless Day by unanimous vote.
