Narrowband Radio is coming to Canada

[thomas724]

THE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

L’ASSOCIATION DES CHEMINS DE FER DU CANADA


Qs & A’s on the Conversion of Railway Radio Communication to
Narrowband Technology.

Introduction


In the past two decades, the use and demand for telecommunications in North America
has experienced unprecedented growth. Because of this growth, wireless communication
has faced some physical limitations. There are an absolute number of frequencies
physically available in the radio spectrum.

Government regulatory bodies managing the use of the wireless spectrum are faced with
burgeoning demand for radio frequencies from various users. Industry Canada and the
US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a rule making the conversion
to narrowband mandatory for certain portions of the radio spectrum. This conversion is
essentially a process of splitting each traditional wideband channel into two or more
narrowband channels, as technology now allows voice to be carried on “narrower”
channels without degradation.

In the US, radio suppliers will be forbidden to manufacture wideband only equipment
after January 1st, 2011. The railway radio networks will need to be converted to
st
narrowband by January 1 , 2013. In Canada, although the railway’s 160.17-161.58 MHz
VHF band is exempted from this process (unlike in the U.S.), it is in our industry’s best
interest to convert to a narrow band channel plan in a timely manner in order to:

� Address spectrum shortage in urban areas
� Harmonize with the U.S.
� Avoid a radio equipment shortage after 2011 and,
� Allow a smooth migration to more spectrum efficient technologies

As the entity responsible for managing the railway radio spectrum in Canada, the RAC
firmly believes that the conversion from wideband to narrowband technology is a
necessary exercise towards efficient spectrum management in the railway band.

Although not every Canadian railway will need to convert to narrowband in the short or
medium term, the RAC considers that it is the responsibility for each passenger, short
line, commuter and class 1 railway to ensure interoperability of their communication
system with those of their commercial partners. Interoperability is at the core of railroad
safety according to Transport Canada requirements.




The following Q&A is designed to address general concerns about the transition to
narrowband. More specific or technical questions should be directed to:

Daniel Lafrenière
Manager, Radio Spectrum / Directeur du spectre
The Railway Association of Canada/ L'A ssociation des chemins de fer du Canada
99 Bank Street, Suite 1401
Ottawa, ON K1P 6B9
Tel (1): (613) 564.8102
Tel (2): (819) 671.9442
Cell.: (613) 296.0858
Fax: (613) 567.6726
E-mail: daniell@railcan.ca
Web: RAC - Home