Andrew Seybold Weighs in on UHF T-Band Givebacks

Andrew M. Seybold, communications veteran and Public Safety advocate released his take last month on the UHF T-band givebacks required of Public Safety within 11 years.  The following includes possible answers to the very familiar question Public Safety officials must be asking themselves:  What now?

Here were his major points:

• This is not a great surprise to Public Safety.  Various members of congress have mentioned over the past few years that Public Safety would have to return some spectrum.  The first negotiations were discussing 150-512 MHz givebacks, so the T-band is not a terrible compromise. The spectrum will be auctioned, with funds raised intended for 700 MHz buildout grants and deficit-reduction. 
•  If you have one of the 808 licenses operating between 470-512 in or around Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Hoouston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco or Washington, this affects you. 
• According to Seybold, 700 MHz is the most logical replacement spectrum since it has just been reallocated and made available to Public Safety, however as with any migration this is easier said than done.  Such a move would require 20-30 percent more infrastructure, depending on the system and equipment.
• T-Band systems that are dated and in need of replacement might benefit from 700 MHz narrowband channels, if they are available.  Systems that have not been narrowbanded yet should search for these channels and build around them instead of replacing T-Band equipment.
• After the narrowbanding dealine, more channels should become available in 150-170 or 450-470 MHz.  Most T-band equipment can be reprogrammed to 450-470 MHz, to be reused on these channels. 
• Other options are the 800 MHz narrowband or, after 2016, the 700 MHz narrowband channels. 
• For those agencies who have successfully completed narrowbanding, review other narrowband channel options (150, 450, 700, or 800) now and again after the narrowbanding deadline.  Consider a 700 MHz overlay during the next 5-7 years to enhance voice interoperability. 
• For those currently replacing their existing T-band system, continue down the path because funding to move off the channels won't be available until the T-band spectrum has been auctioned.  This also puts agencies in a position to change with the possible changes in the law (as Seybold says, funding could be made available sooner or other actions might alter the impact of the current law).

A good suggestion for all agencies is to keep an eye on LTE developments and the introduction of on-network push to talk over broadband, since more effective technology could become available. 

The Public Safety community is currently working to resolve questions about funding and narrow-banding exemption, however Seybold says the best course of action at this moment is to wait for the answers before moving forward. 

Don't panic, he cautions, but also reminds us that nine years can come and go quicker than we think, so be strategic and pro-active in areas where you can.