Spectrum efficiency potential of 25 kHz offset channel assignments in the 821-824/866-869 MHz public safety bands

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently allocated the paired bands of 821-824 MHz and 866-869 MHz to the Public Safety Radio Services and solicited comment on service rules and technical standards (Docket 87-112). The author examines the spectrum efficiency attainable through the use of 25-kHz offset channel assignments and contrasts it with that attainable via 12.5-kHz split channel assignments. It is concluded that due to the limited and well-defined coverage requirements typical of public safety applications, the offset approach can offer nearly as much spectrum efficiency as the split channel approach, while avoiding problems with timeliness of application, expansion of existing systems, high-speed data and encrypted voice needs, and mutual aid communication.<
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