DC 96-116 ACTION IN DOCKET CASE December 26, 1996

      FCC REVISES RULES TO PROMOTE SPECTRUM EFFICIENCY IN THE
                  PRIVATE LAND MOBILE RADIO BANDS
                 (PR Docket Nos. 92-235 and 92-257)

     The FCC has adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O), which addresses
petitions for reconsideration and clarification received in response to the "Refarming" Report
& Order (Refarming R&O) and a maritime Report and Order (Maritime R&O).  This MO&O
clarifies the decisions of the Commission and, where necessary, makes appropriate
modifications to the rules.

     The Commission adopted the Refarming R&O in 1995 to promote more effective and
efficient use of the private land mobile radio (PLMR) spectrum bands below 800 MHz.  Also
in 1995, the Commission, adopted rules in the Maritime R&O which promoted efficiency by
permitting eligibles in the Industrial and Land Transportation Radio Services to share maritime
public correspondence frequencies.  The action taken in this MO&O continues the
Commission's efforts by:

       Maintaining the channel plan adopted in the Refarming R&O.  In general, this plan
lists channels every 7.5 kHz in the 150-174 MHz VHF band and every 6.25 kHz in the 421-
430, 450-470, and 470-512 MHz UHF bands.  Additionally, this MO&O provides the
frequency coordinators with the ability to recommend frequencies for any technology with
lesser bandwidth, provided that interference is not caused to other systems.

       Integrating the refarming narrowband channel plan for PLMR users on the shared
maritime public correspondence frequencies.

       Extending the first transition date for type acceptance of narrowband PLMR
equipment until the effective date of the rules adopted in this MO&O.  After the effective date,
new applications for type acceptance must be for equipment that is designed to operate on
channels of 12.5 kHz or less or on 25 kHz channels if the narrowband efficiency standard is
met.  This MO&O does not alter the second transition date of January 1, 2005, for filing
applications for equipment designed to operate on channels of 6.25 kHz or up to 25 kHz if the
narrowband efficiency standard is met.
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       Clarifying a variety of technical rules, including those pertaining to the
power/antenna height limits, the emission mask, and the frequency stability requirements.

     Action by the Commission December 23, 1996 by Memorandum Opinion and Order
(FCC 96-492).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello, Ness, and Chong.

                               - FCC - 

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