Sec.  22.655   Channel usage.

   

   Link to an amendment published at  70 FR 19309 , Apr. 13, 2005.

   The FCC is redesignating the public mobile channels in the 470-512 MHz
   range from trunked mobile operation to point-to-multipoint operation
   as the demand for trunked mobile service decreases.

   (a) The licensees in each market shall measure channel usage at least
   once every 3 months. These measurements shall be reported to the FCC
   within 30 days. Measurements shall be taken during the busiest 12-hour
   periods on 3 days (within a 7-day period) having normal usage. The
   information must be reported separately for each of the 3 days
   selected, must be reported by dates, and must disclose the following:

   (1) The number of mobile units in service during each of the days
   specified;

   (2) The number of calls completed each hour;

   (3) The total number of minutes during each hour that the channels
   were utilized for communications by the mobile units;

   (4) The average channel usage for the busiest hour for the 3 days
   measured; and

   (5) Any additional information that more accurately reflects channel
   usage.

   (b) If the measured probability of blocking decreases below 25%, the
   FCC will redesignate channels not needed to maintain blocking at 25%
   or less. The number of channels needed to maintain blocking below 25%
   will be determined from the channel usage reports and the Erlang C
   tables.

   (c) Although two or more channels are necessary to provide trunked
   service, the FCC may, pursuant to this section, reduce to one the
   number of channels assigned. In such cases, the licensee may provide
   non-trunked two-way public mobile service on the one remaining
   channel.