Future of TETRA in U.S. Remains Matter of Debate
The TETRA Association asked the FCC to override objections by public safety groups and others and modify its Part 90 bandwidth and emission limits to allow Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) devices to operate in the U.S. “The overriding point is that there is no reason for the FCC to ban TETRA devices from any specific frequency band or service,” the association said. In April, the FCC launched a rulemaking on proposed technical rules under which digital technologies like TETRA could operate without causing interference to existing systems. The FCC also sought comment on whether TETRA technology would be detrimental to public safety interoperability. The FCC granted a waiver request sought by the TETRA Association, pending the outcome of the rulemaking.
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TETRA equipment is widely used outside the U.S., but its proposed use here has sparked a firestorm of protest (CD Jan 20/10 p6). Filings this week at the FCC show little emerging consensus.
"Some parties have opposed the TETRA waiver and rulemaking based on a misguided view that TETRA devices will interfere with incumbent users,” the TETRA Association said in comments in dockets 11-69 and 09-234. “Experience from installations in 121 countries around the world demonstrates that TETRA can and does coexist with other technologies without causing interference."
Use of TETRA for public safety communications would work against communications interoperability, long an FCC focus, by creating “new islands of incompatible public safety communications,” the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) said in response. “New technologies proposed for public safety frequency bands must be compatible with relevant equipment standards and FCC rules intended to promote interoperability and interference-free operation,” APCO said. APCO said TETRA is not compatible with Project 25, the FCC-mandated interoperability standard for 700 MHz, 800-MHz and other narrowband voice communications. “Unless manufacturers develop dual-mode TETRA/Project 25 equipment, TETRA equipment will not be able to interoperate with Project 25 equipment,” the group said.
The Telecommunications Industry Association said more study is needed before TETRA is given the permanent waiver sought by the TETRA Association. “Given the mission-critical uses in the would-be affected public safety spectrum under the proposed rules, the Commission should take the utmost care with regards to protecting public safety communications from interference,” TIA said. TIA warned that utility communications in the 800 MHz band could also be negatively affected.