The Federal Communications Commission has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes creating new, full power, interstitial 12.5 kHz offset channels in the 800 MHz mid-band. “Interstitial” refers to a narrow space or interval between things, especially when one of a series of alternating uniform spaces. In this NPRM, the interstices are the spaces between regularly spaced 25 kHz channels in the 800 MHz band. The Commission’s proposal creates the opportunity for 319 additional voice-grade channels for use by Public Safety, Business/Industrial, General Category, and high-site Specialized Mobile Radio licensees. The Commission initiated this NPRM in response to a 2009 Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Enterprise Wireless Alliance. Comments are due 45 days after publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register, which has not yet occurred. Reply comments will be due 15 days later.
