Narrowbanding & New FCC Regulations

What you may have heard and how it affects wireless headset systems.

You may have heard about new FCC Regulations for business industrial land mobile radio systems. These regulations are to ensure the most efficient use of spectrum and access for public safety users. The new regulations are referred to as Narrowbanding and require businesses using 25 kHz efficiency technology to cease using this frequency by January 1, 2013. All businesses must migrate to at least 12.5 kHz efficiency technology by January 1, 2013 or be in violation of the Commission’s rules and subject to FCC enforcement action, which could include admonishment, fines or loss of license.

So the big question is whether your wireless headset system uses one of these frequencies. The good news is that both Panasonic and HME systems are in compliance with the new Narrowbanding rules. The FCC began its efforts to more efficiently use radio spectrums almost 20 years ago, so headset manufacturers have been producing headsets in compliance with the new regulations for quite some time. Newer models like the Panasonic Attune and HME Ion are not affected.

For more information about Narrowbanding, check out the FCC’s question and answer section. Want to update your headset system or have further questions about new versions? Contact Us or check out our Wireless Headset Page.

For more information, please contact us toll-free: (877) 753-0154 or email us.