Now that the narrowbanding deadline has come and gone many are asking "What now?". We contacted Mr. Roberto Mussenden of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, and Mr. Andy Leimer of the Office of Engineering and Technology for answers. Our inquiry was then forwarded to Scott Stone, Deputy Chief, Mobility Division. According to Stone the FCC will not be cancelling licenses anytime soon. The Commission is in fact allowing applications for the narrowband conversions to still be filed, even at this late date. One word of warning however, If the FCC later determines that the licensee did not actually narrowband until after January 1, the licensee could be subject to enforcement action for improper wideband operation.
Rest assured that there will be some "sacrificial lambs" for those who have not complied. The Commission is likely to take action to determine the narrowbanding status of stations that do not appear to be narrowband-compliant. The exact process and timing has not yet been decided.
.....More to come
