§ 22.655 - Channel usage.

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.