Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
Before the
Federal Communications Commission
Washington, D.C. 20554
In the Matter of
MUNICIPALITY OF ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
CALAMP WIRELESS NETWORKS, INC.
Request For Waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1) of the 
Commission’s Rules
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ULS File Nos. 0006112495 and 0006112498
ORDER
Adopted:  August 26, 2014 Released:  August 26, 2014
By the Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau:
I. INTRODUCTION
1. On January 22, 2014, the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska (Anchorage or Municipality)
filed two applications seeking authority to operate a new wideband IP-based private land mobile data 
system on General Use channels in the portion of the 700 MHz band designated for public safety 
narrowband use.
1
  In connection with these applications, Anchorage seeks waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1)
of the Commission’s rules
2
so that it may operate its mobile data system on a wideband basis using 50 
kHz bandwidth channels.
3
  It also seeks waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1) on behalf of its equipment vendor, 
CalAmp Wireless Networks, Inc. (CalAmp), so that it may obtain equipment from CalAmp capable of 
operating with a channel bandwidth greater than 25 kHz.
4
2. For the reasons detailed below, we grant Anchorage’s waiver request.  We also grant a 
waiver to CalAmp so that it may add a wideband emission designator to the equipment certification for 
one model of its 700 MHz base stations for operation in Anchorage’s IP-based mobile data system.
5
    
II. BACKGROUND
3. Anchorage currently operates a 14-year old mobile data system, serving over 350 of police 
patrol units using 25 kHz bandwidth channels in the 800 MHz band.
6
  Anchorage contends this mobile 
data system is “outdated” and “difficult to maintain and repair.”
7
Due to increased demands, it claims 
                                                     
1
See ULS application numbers 0006112495 and 0006112498, filed Jan. 22, 2014.  
2
47 C.F.R. § 90.531(d)(1)(licensees can only combine 6.25 kHz channels to a maximum bandwidth of 25kHz) .
3
See Description of Filings and Request for Waiver attached to ULS application numbers 0006112495 and 
0006112498 (Wideband Waiver Request).  
4
Id. at 7, 12.     
5
This waiver permits CalAmp to only market its base station with the wideband mode activated to Anchorage for 
use in Anchorage’s IP-based mobile data system. 
6
Anchorage’s mobile data system is licensed under call signs WPBB244 and WPRI529.  
7
Wideband Waiver Request at 2.
Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
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congestion on its mobile data system “adversely affects the Municipality’s ability to transmit critical 
public safety information.”
8
  It also argues that it is difficult to implement enhancements to its current 
system to accommodate its expanding need for mobile data because the system’s underlying technology is 
“relatively obsolete.”
9
4. Accordingly, Anchorage seeks to build and implement a new 700 MHz wideband IP-based
private land mobile data system that it can integrate into the existing Anchorage Wide Area Radio 
Network (AWARN).
10
  AWARN is an existing 700 MHz narrowband digital IP-based public safety voice 
radio system that almost all public safety agencies and emergency responders in the Municipality use.
11
  
While AWARN is currently a voice-only system, Anchorage, through its pending applications, seeks to 
add a mobile data component to the network.
12
5. Anchorage states that its new IP-based mobile data system will initially serve 400 or more of 
its police department’s “crime scene investigators, traffic enforcement personnel, and major incident 
managers” but will eventually expand to include other users of the AWARN system, possibly including 
users from the Kenai Peninsula and the Matanuska-Susitna Boroughs.
13
  Anchorage claims its proposed 
mobile data system will also be “technologically compatible” with the Wasilla Police Department’s 
existing wideband mobile data system, encouraging roaming and regional interoperability between the 
Anchorage Police Department and the Wasilla Police Department.
14
6. Anchorage explains that its proposed IP-based mobile data system will combine eight 700 
MHz 6.25 kHz channel pairs to form 50 kHz bandwidth channel blocks in order to offer end users a data 
throughput rate of 128 kbps.
15
  It indicates that it intends to operate two distinct 50 kHz bandwidth 
channel blocks at each of eight existing transmitter locations within the AWARN system.
16
7. Anchorage therefore seeks waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1) of the Commission’s rules,
17
which limits the maximum combined channel bandwidth on 700 MHz narrowband spectrum to 25 kHz so 
that it may obtain a license to operate its proposed IP-based mobile data system using 50 kHz bandwidth 
channels.
18
  
                                                     
8
Id.
9
Id.
10
Id. at 3-4.
11
Id. at 3.
12
Id. at 4.
13
Id.
14
Id.  The City of Wasilla Police Department operates a mobile data system on 700 MHz narrowband spectrum 
using 50 kHz bandwidth channels under STA call sign WQIW915.  The STA is authorized until September 10, 
2014.  Wasilla is 44 road miles from Anchorage.
15
Anchorage seeks to form 50 kHz bandwidth channel pairs (50 kHz base transmit, 50 kHz mobile transmit) by 
aggregating eight contiguous 6.25 kHz bandwidth channels for base transmit paired with eight contiguous 6.25 kHz 
bandwidth channels for mobile transmit. Wideband Waiver Request at 4, 12.
16
Id. at 5.
17
47 C.F.R. § 90.531(d)(1).
18
Wideband Waiver Request at 7.
Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
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8. Anchorage also seeks waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1) on behalf of its equipment vendor, 
CalAmp, so that it may obtain equipment from CalAmp capable of operating with a channel bandwidth 
greater than 25 kHz.
19
  By separate letter, CalAmp has notified the Commission’s Office of Engineering 
and Technology (OET) of its intention to modify the equipment certification for one of its base stations in 
order to add a wideband emission designator authorizing operation at a bandwidth greater than 25 kHz for 
use in Anchorage’s IP-based mobile data system.
20
9. In support of its waiver request, Anchorage argues that the public interest is served by 
allowing it to implement “much needed improvements to an aging public safety radio system that no 
longer meets communications needs.”
21
  It claims that its proposed wideband operations will cause no 
harmful interference to other users in the band because “there currently are no licensees on the co-
channels or adjacent channels it has proposed in its applications.”
22
  
10. It also claims its proposed mobile data system will meet the Commission’s spectrum 
efficiency requirements, and that once implemented the IP-based mobile data system will occupy “only 
about 13 percent” of the 700 MHz narrowband channels available in Alaska.
23
  Anchorage includes with 
its applications a concurrence letter from the Regional Planning Committee (RPC) for Region 2 –
Alaska.
24
  
11. On April 15, 2014, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (Bureau) released a 
Public Notice seeking comment on Anchorage’s waiver request.
25
  In particular, the Bureau sought 
comment from any party who would be impacted by Anchorage’s proposed wideband operations.
26
  It 
also sought comment on whether or not grant of the requested waiver would have any effect on the 
eventual implementation in Alaska of the nationwide broadband public safety communications network 
by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).
27
  No party commented in response to the Public 
Notice.             
                                                     
19
Id.      
20
CalAmp Wireless Networks, Inc. indicates it intends to seek a Class II permissive change to add emission 
designator 28K0F1D to the equipment authorization for its base station certified under FCC ID No. EOTBDP4-
EXCT769.  CalAmp indicates that the mobile units it intends to supply Anchorage are already properly certified for 
50 kHz operation.  See Letter from Mitchell Lazarus, Counsel for CalAmp, Inc. to Dr. Rashmi Doshi, Chief, 
Laboratory Division, Office of Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications Commission (Mar. 25, 
2014)(CalAmp Letter).  See also 47 C.F.R. § 2.1043.    
21
Wideband Waiver Request at 11.
22
Id. at 12.
23
Id.
24
See letter from Dean Strid, Chairman, Region 2, 700 MHz Planning Committee to Municipality of Anchorage 
(Nov 22, 2013)(attached to Wideband Waiver Request)(Region 2 Letter).
25
See Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Seeks Comment on Applications and Waiver Request Filed by 
the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska for 50 kHz Wideband Operation on 700 MHz Narrowband General Use 
Channels, Public Notice, 29 FCC Rcd 3818 (PSHSB 2014).
26
Id. at 3820.
27
Id.
Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
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III. DISCUSSION
12. Section 1.925 states that to obtain a waiver of the Commission’s rules, a petitioner must 
demonstrate either that:  (i) the underlying purpose of the rule(s) would not be served or would be 
frustrated by application to the present case, and that a grant of the waiver would be in the public 
interest;
28
or (ii) in view of unique or unusual factual circumstances of the instant case, application of the 
rule(s) would be inequitable, unduly burdensome, or contrary to the public interest, or the applicant has 
no reasonable alternative.
29
  
13. We find that Anchorage satisfies the second prong of the waiver standard as detailed below.  
Because we are granting Anchorage’s waiver request, we also grant CalAmp a waiver to allow it to add a 
wideband emission designator to the equipment certification of its base station for use in Anchorage’s IP-
based mobile data system.
14. Section 90.531(d)(1) Waiver.  As an initial matter, we find the current spectral environment 
in the State of Alaska is an unusual circumstance.   There appears to be little demand for 700 MHz 
General Use channels in Alaska outside of the AWARN system.  A search of our database reveals no 
other licensee operating on General Use channels in the State of Alaska except for the City of Wasilla 
which, as noted in paragraph four, supra, employs a wideband mobile data system pursuant to Special 
Temporary Authority that Anchorage claims is compatible with the system it intends to deploy.  
15. Furthermore, we agree with Anchorage that in order to achieve its desired data throughput 
rate of 128 kbps it must operate its proposed IP-based mobile data system using channel bandwidths 
greater than 25 kHz.  This is because data throughput rates higher than 64 kbps are difficult to achieve on 
25 kHz bandwidth channels.
30
  In fact, Anchorage claims its existing mobile data system provides data 
throughput rates of only 19.6 kbps operating on 25 kHz bandwidth channels in the 800 MHz band.
31
  Its 
proposed 700 MHz system will have a throughput of 128 kbps, an over 500% increase in spectrum 
efficiency achieved through only a doubling of required bandwidth.  Thus, we conclude that Anchorage 
has no reasonable alternative to seeking a waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1) if it is to achieve its desired data 
throughput rate on 700 MHz narrowband channels.
16. Moreover, we find Anchorage’s proposal to aggregate narrowband 6.25 kHz bandwidth 
channels into 50 kHz blocks will create minimal impact on the availability of 700 MHz narrowband 
channels throughout the state,
32
and that an adequate number of General Use channels will remain 
available in the band for future use by other licensees even after Anchorage deploys this mobile data 
system.
33
  In analyzing the impact of Anchorage’s proposal on channel availability in the State of Alaska, 
                                                     
28
47 C.F.R. § 1.925(b)(3)(i).
29
47 C.F.R. § 1.925(b)(3)(ii).
30
A specification sheet for CalAmp’s Gemini G3-ADB receiver indicates that data rates vary with the strength of 
the desired signal but that 64 kbps is the maximum attainable data rate for a 25 kHz bandwidth channel in the 700 
MHz band while a data rate of 128 kbps can be achieved for a 50 kHz bandwidth channel in the 700 MHz band.  See
http://www.calamp.com/products/private-radios-narrow-band-equipment/private-mobile-networks/gemini-g3-adb.  
31
Wideband Waiver Request at 2.
32
Id. at 12 (noting that, once constructed, its IP-based mobile data network will occupy “only about 13 percent” of
the 700 MHz narrowband channels available in the state).
33
Id. at 1-2.
Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
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we find probative the fact that it obtained consent from the Regional Planning Committee and that no 
entity objected to Anchorage’s applications or waiver request.
34
17. Finally, given that a large portion of the state’s population resides in the Municipality, we 
find it in the public interest for Anchorage to replace its existing outdated mobile data system.  We 
recognize that Congress has charted a path for a nationwide interoperable public safety network with its 
creation of FirstNet in 2012.
35
  We are also aware that FirstNet is currently engaging in a number of 
activities to implement its statutory mandates, and to develop its nationwide system architecture, 
including undertaking state consultations.
36
  We also note that the Commission has sought comment on 
the future of the 700 MHz narrowband spectrum, including whether to eliminate the 6.25 kHz 
narrowbanding requirement in light of possible long-term demand to migrate the narrowband spectrum to 
broadband use.
37
  Nonetheless, we find it in the public interest to grant the present waiver because in the 
interim we believe Anchorage’s proposed IP-based mobile data system on 700 MHz narrowband 
spectrum may serve its police department’s current data needs. However, we also note that our 
consideration of the factual circumstances that support a waiver request today may not be present in the 
future when FirstNet’s efforts are more mature or if the Commission’s policies on the use of the band 
shift.  Finally, in light of the other circumstances described herein, we find it unduly burdensome to 
require Anchorage to operate its new IP-based mobile data system at less than desired data rates solely to 
comply with the bandwidth requirements of Section 90.531(d)(1).
18. CalAmp’s Class II permissive change.  Having determined that Anchorage has satisfied the 
waiver standard, we now turn to its request to obtain equipment for its IP-based mobile data system 
capable of operating on 700 MHz narrowband spectrum with a bandwidth greater than 25 kHz.
38
  
Anchorage’s equipment vendor, CalAmp, states in a letter to staff at OET that it “no longer manufactures 
equipment compatible with a 50 kHz base station” and therefore intends to seek a Class II permissive 
change to “simply add a 50 kHz emission designator” to a “later and more advanced unit now certified for 
a 25 kHz bandwidth.”
39
19. CalAmp includes several reports with its letter detailing the performance of its base station 
under various tests while operating with a wideband emission using a channel bandwidth of 50 kHz.
40
  
Included with these tests are results of measurements on Adjacent Channel Power (ACP).
41
  
20. All transmitters operating on narrowband spectrum in the 700 MHz band must comply with 
ACP emission limits which are designed to minimize interference to adjacent channels.
42
  ACP limits are 
                                                     
34
See Region 2 Letter.
35
Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. 112-96, 126 Stat. 156, Section 6202 (2012)..
36
See http://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/fact_sheet_process-9-19-13.pdf.
37
See Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal State and Local 
Public Safety Communication Requirements Through the Year 2010, WT Docket No. 96-86, Seventh Report and 
Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 28 FCC Rcd 4783, ¶¶ 88-91 (2013); See also, Middle Class Tax Relief 
and Job Creation Act of 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-96, 126 Stat. 156, § 6102 (2012).
38
Wideband Waiver Request at 7.
39
CalAmp Letter at 2.
40
See Nemko Canada, Inc. Test Reports (attached to CalAmp Letter).  
41
See Nemko Canada, Inc. Test Report Reference No: 155790-2TRFWL at 33-41 (attached to CalAmp Letter).
42
See 47 C.F.R. § 90.543(a).  An ACP emission limit is based upon the absolute and relative levels of coupled 
power as a function of frequency to ensure that the adjacent channel interference potential of a transmitter at various 
(continued….)
Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
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important for determining the interference potential of a transmitter to users operating on other in-band 
channels or in other bands.
43
  Although the Commission specifies no ACP limits for transmitters 
operating with a channel bandwidth greater than 25 kHz, it did seek comment in January 2005 on an 
industry adopted standard for ACP emission limits when a transmitter operates with a channel bandwidth
of 50 kHz.
44
21. CalAmp’s test report demonstrates that its base station complies with the industry adopted 
ACP emission limits when transmitting using a wideband emission on a 50 kHz bandwidth channel.  
Consequently, we conclude that the CalAmp base station is unlikely to cause interference to licensees on 
other 700 MHz narrowband channels when operating in a wideband mode.  Furthermore, we find the 
results of all other measurements in the test reports appropriate.
22. Consequently, we find it in the public interest to grant Anchorage’s equipment vendor, 
CalAmp, a waiver of Section 90.531(d)(1) so it may add a new wideband emission designator to its base 
station certified under FCC ID No. EOTBDP4-EXCT769 for use in Anchorage’s IP-based mobile data 
system.  We condition the instant waiver to Anchorage on CalAmp first obtaining a permissive change to 
add a wideband (50 kHz) emission designator to its current certification.  CalAmp should include a copy 
of this order with its application for permissive change.  Once the new emission designator is added to its 
equipment certification, CalAmp may only market its base station with the wideband mode activated to 
Anchorage for use in Anchorage’s IP-based mobile data system.         
IV. ORDERING CLAUSES
23. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the waiver request associated with ULS File Nos. 
0006112495 and 0006112498 filed by the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska pursuant to Section 1.925 of 
the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 1.925, IS GRANTED and the associated application SHALL BE 
PROCESSED accordingly.
24. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that CalAmp Wireless Networks, Inc. IS GRANTED a waiver 
to add a wideband emission designator to its base station certified under FCC ID No. EOTBDP4-
EXCT769.
(Continued from previous page)                                                            
bandwidths is consistent and predictable.  See Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements 
for Meeting Federal, State and Local Public Safety Agency Communication Requirements Through the Year 2010, 
WT Docket No. 96-86, Sixth Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 17 FCC Rcd 19303, 19304 ¶ 3 (2002) (Sixth Notice).   
43
ACP emission limits are designed to minimize interference to communications systems operating on other in-band 
channels or in other bands by restricting the level of emissions that are transmitted into adjacent channels and other 
parts of the spectrum. See Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal, 
State and Local Public Safety Agency Communications Requirements Through the Year 2010, WT Docket No. 96-
86, First Report and Order and Third Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 14 FCC Rcd 152, 213 ¶ 136 (1998).  
44
See Development of Operational, Technical and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal State and Local 
Public Safety Communication Requirements Through the Year 2010, WT Docket No. 96-86, Fifth Memorandum 
Opinion and Order, Sixth Report and Order, and Seventh NPRM of Proposed Rulemaking, 20 FCC Rcd 831, 845-48 
¶ 36 (2005).  The ACP limits were proposed by the Private Radio Section of the Wireless Communications Division 
of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-PRS) which claimed the limits represented a consensus 
opinion of manufacturers.  Id. at 854 ¶ 35.
Federal Communications Commission DA 14-1242
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25. This action is taken under delegated authority pursuant to Sections 0.131, 0.191, 0.331 and 
0.392 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 0.131, 0.191, 0.331, 0.392.  
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
David G. Simpson, Rear Admiral, USN (Ret.), Chief
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau