Land Mobile 002 - Land Mobile Radio Channel Assignment A Band

Land Mobile Radio Channel Assignment A Band

1. Policy.

Normally channels will be assigned on demand in this band subject only to availability.

In areas where the band is congested or prone to anomalous propagation, tone coded access will be recommended.

The use of FM or AM modulation is permitted.
 

2. Specific Criteria.

The provisions of regulation 15(b) and (c) of the Radiocommunications (Radio) Regulations 1993 will apply.
 

3. General Technical Considerations.

Only equipment type approved to specification RFS 21 or RFS 26 will be licensed to operate in this band.

It should be noted that the "A" band is channel planned for 12.5kHz channel spacing. AM or FM modulation is permitted.
 

4. General.

The future of the "A" Band has been questioned by "salespersons" of some organisations, this has led to some confusion in the industry as to the true status of this band.

The band 81 - 88 MHz , known as the "A" Band, is in common use in many countries around the world for land mobile purposes.

There is no suggestion, or intention for the foreseeable future, that New Zealand should use the band for other than land mobile purposes.
 

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 81 - 88 MHz, known as the "A" Band was one of the first bands to be used for land mobile purposes in New Zealand. As the band is used in a number of countries around the world a number of sources of suitable equipment exist.

The Ministry has recently surveyed interested parties to ascertain the best option for the future management of this band and expects to be in a position to make recommendations to Government during the current year. In the meantime the following is the legal position:

The Radiocommunications Act provides for two forms of licensing, radio apparatus licensing, and licences to transmit radio waves. The second is of a long term nature and has to date been implemented largely in broadcasting. However the Act does contain transitional provisions for implementing long term licences in the land mobile bands, including the "A" Band.

The transitional provisions require the Ministry to create a long term licence for specific existing radio apparatus licences, in particular for those existing before 1 July 1989. Other licences issued after 1989 do not receive a "replacement" licence under the Act. Whilst it is necessary that individuals make their own judgements on their business, this is the basic reason for the Ministry to make this point clear when issuing new licences.

There have been no decisions made as yet on the implementation of transitional provisions in the "A" Band, but the Ministry is working on when and how such a transition might occur. When this work is completed the Ministry would expect to seek the views of Government on the issue.

In simple terms the Ministry cannot foretell the timing of any "A" Band transition, to long term land mobile licences, but is aware that the issue needs to be progressed to give clarity.

The Ministry believes that the "A" Band will remain a viable land mobile band for some considerable time.

Approved By:
Manager
Radio Spectrum Policy