The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International has informed the FCC of reports of harmful interference to 800 megahertz and NPSPAC channels. APCO submitted an ex parte filing today in WT docket 12-40 that reported on a Nov. 2 meeting with FCC officials. “APCO described reports of harmful interference to 800 MHz NPSPAC channels it has received from a number of local government public safety licensees across the country,” the group said.

“The interference appears to be mainly due to commercial cellular operations overloading the front end (862-869 MHz) portion of public safety radios that was left in place following the 800 MHz rebanding proceeding. “APCO noted that the problem, which has been reported to severely impact public safety communications in the NPSPAC band, is expected to only grow worse as cellular carriers continue their deployments, including LTE,” the filing added. “Further, even on a going-forward basis, APCO understands that very few radios are available that might be capable of addressing the overloading issue.”- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily