Land Mobile 001 - Land Mobile Radio Channel Assignment B Band

Land Mobile Radio Channel Assignment B Band

The Government has directed the Secretary of Commerce that:-
the band of frequencies 101 MHz to 108 MHz be cleared of land mobile services; and that no new licences be granted in this band.

1. Policy.

No new licences will be granted in this band. This applies equally to simplex or duplex channels.

Existing users will be permitted to continue their operations in the band for the meantime while plans to migrate to other bands are developed. This also applies equally to simplex or duplex channels. 

• The use of this band for land mobile services is expected to be phased out over a period of several years.
• The Ministry of Commerce will contact all current licensees to discuss each individual organisations options and the timing of any transfer to another suitable band.

2. Specific Criteria.

Statement of Government Policy dated 31 October 1995 and published in the New Zealand Gazette on 9 November 1995 applies.

3. General Technical Considerations.

Only equipment complient with specification RFS 21 has been licensed to operate in this band.

It should be noted that the "B" band is channel planned for 12.5kHz channel spacing and that AM modulation only is permitted.

4. General.

Historically the "B" Band has been an important land mobile band both in New Zealand and overseas. However, the international trend in recent years favours the use of this spectrum for broadcasting, and as New Zealand is largely dependent on the international market for equipment, it is logical that New Zealand should follow this trend. 
 

5. Background.

The mobile radio service in New Zealand dates from the late 1940s, and during this period of approximately 50 years the industry has enjoyed ample spectrum resource availability with new bands coming "on stream" at regular intervals. With the growing interest in the radio spectrum for many new applications there is increasing pressure to utilise available spectrum resources as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The band 101 - 108 MHz, known as the "B" Band, was one of the first bands to be used internationally for land mobile purposes and was the first to be used in New Zealand for this service. Although formerly used for land mobile purposes in many countries, most now favour its use for broadcasting, Government has now determined that this should also be the case in New Zealand.

Approved By:
Manager
Radio Spectrum Policy