Answer
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration requires that all Federal Government radio systems be converted to narrowband by Jan. 1, 2005. The number of discrete channels available for assignment will basically double due to the transition. This will allow more radio systems to be put into operation and reduce chances of interference, such as from foreign radio systems. Narrowband conversion efforts began with the Navajo and Southwest regions. The Bureau is focusing on these two regions since they have telecommunications specialists who are already well along in the conversion process, required of Federal agencies. The conversion effort will be extensive since the BIA has a significant inventory of mobile radios, portable radios, fixed-base stations, remote control stations, communications centers, commercial power repeaters and solar power repeaters that require conversion.
Many of the radio tower repeaters are shared with other Federal and Tribal agencies for law enforcement, forestry, fire protection, facilities management and education. Interestingly, the Bureau will likely seek a waiver from the Department of the Interior for narrowband UHF frequency radios since many of these portable units are only operated in limited range locations such as school campuses. It is estimated that some 20 percent of the Navajo Region radio frequency applications fit this criteria. Since most of the remaining 10 Regions have yet to begin conversion to narrowband, a review team analyzed all these remaining Regions to validate inventory and coordinate with law enforcement efforts. It is anticipated that the subsequent conversion process will parallel BIA Law Enforcement's conversion schedule.
