FCC released orders on private land mobile radio (PLMR) services ...
FCC released orders on private land mobile radio (PLMR) services that declined to restrict new citizens band (CB) radio service to industrial/business pool users under Part 90 of Communications Act. Part 90 contains rules for PLMR services for public…
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safety entities, state and local govts. and other users of 2-way radio systems. Commission affirmed decision to license 5 VHF frequencies formally used for low- power industrial/business use by putting them in new CB service under Part 95 called multi-use radio service (MURS). “The general public is licensed by rule to use MURS for communications related to personal or business activities,” Commission said. FCC also clarified that MURS was 2-way, short-distance voice or data communications service “intended for transmissions that do not typically require long duty cycles.” FCC updated airport terminal use list, which identifies airports at which certain 450 MHz band frequencies are used by nearby stations for servicing and supplying planes. In separate order, FCC adopted proposal of American Automobile Assn. to revise power limit on certain frequencies now reserved for low-power operations for cargo handling at docksides. Order didn’t accept AAA proposal to require all applicants to obtain AAA’s concurrence before using those frequencies. Agency also adopted proposal to eliminate eligibility restriction on school and park operations in public safety pool. Motorola, RadioShack and Industrial Telecom Assn. had petitioned for reconsideration of MURS policies, arguing FCC had decided to include general consumers in class of licensed users even though notice had proposed only to eliminate licensing requirement for eligible business and industrial users. Concern of Motorola and others was that expanding use of those frequencies to general public would increase interference and congestion for business communications. As result, Motorola and ITA asked that that spectrum be returned to Part 90 PLMR services. Concerns over congestion and other issues “do not adequately address or appropriately balance the sharing issues raised on reconsideration,” FCC concluded. Rather than abolishing MURS, Commission said it was adopting technical restrictions to address those concerns.