LMR 25 kHz phase-out looms in New Zealand

Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) in New Zealand has issued a reminder to operators who still use 25 kHz-channel LMR equipment at frequencies below 470 MHz, pointing out that they have only weeks left to change over to 12.5 kHz.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (and its predecessors) has been encouraging the phase-out of 25 kHz channels in LMR bands since the early 1990s.

The 25 kHz channels are being phased out to promote more efficient use of LMR bands, reduce congestion and align New Zealand with international practice.

A phase-out deadline of 1 November 2015 was set in 2009. It was set following a consultation process where industry supported a firm deadline. Affected licensees were first informed of the phase-out deadline by letter, sent in November 2010.

RSM says it has reviewed the deadline for the phase-out and has extended it to 31 December 2019 for all LMR licences operating in frequencies above 470 MHz (F band and TS band). On 31 December 2019, all 25 kHz licences operating in frequencies above 470 MHz will be revoked.

It says the deadline has been extended for the F and TS bands because the level of congestion in the bands is not significant relative to the cost of transition for users of the bands.

However, the current deadline of 1 November 2015 still applies to 25 kHz LMR licences in frequencies below 470 MHz (E, C and D bands). On that date, all 25 kHz LMR licences in frequencies below 470 MHz will be revoked.

Licences for data links used for telemetry (SCADA) on 25 kHz channels in UHF have an exemption from the deadlines and are allowed to continue operating.

Those with licences affected by the changes should receive written notification from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

RSM says that simplex licences that use a combination of bands in frequencies both above and below 470 MHz will be able to be modified by an approved radio engineer or certifier to contain both 12.5 kHz and 25 kHz channels on the same licence.

More details are available on the RSM website.