About Interoperability Channels
Interoperability channels as designated by the FCC, are by definition intended to be used for “two or more different entities to interact with one another and to exchange information…” (FCC 90.7 – Definitions for “Interoperability”). As a result, normal frequency coordination to prevent interference is not necessary. To help promote the use of the FCC-designated interoperability channels, APCO has exclusive coordination fees for these channels.
Special Fees for Interoperability Channels
| If submitted on an application combined with other chargeable non-interoperability items. | No charge. (See AFC Coordination Fees page for New Station/Major Modifications fees). |
| If submitted alone as a new license application. | $150 minimum per application
(Same fee as Minor Modifications. See AFC Coordination Fees page. Applies ONLY if the application is submitted via SpectrumWatch.) |
Nationwide Interoperability/Mutual Aid Channels
Per 90.20(i), the nationwide interoperability and mutual aid channels are listed below for the VHF, (including 220-222 MHz), UHF, 700 MHz and 800 MHz bands. (See §§90.20(d)(80), 90.531(b)(1), 90.617(a)(1) and 90.720). Any Part 90 public safety eligible entity holding a Part 90 license may operate handheld and vehicular mobile units on these channels without needing a separate authorization. Base stations or control stations operating on these channels must be licensed separately. Encryption may not be used on any of the interoperability or mutual aid calling channels.
| VHF interoperability channel (MHz) | Purpose |
| 151.1375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 154.4525 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 155.7525 MHz (base/mobile) | Calling. |
| 158.7375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 159.4725 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| VHF mutual aid channel (MHz) | Purpose |
| 220.8025 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8075 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8125 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8175 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8225 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8275 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8325 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8425 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 220.8475 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| UHF interoperability channel (MHz) | Purpose |
| 453.2125 MHz (base/mobile) | Calling. |
| 458.2125 MHz (mobile) | |
| 453.4625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 458.4625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 453.7125 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 458.7125 MHz (mobile) | |
| 453.8625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 458.8625 MHz (mobile) |
| 700 MHz interoperability channel (MHz) | Purpose |
| 769.14375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.14375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.24375 MHz (base/mobile) | Calling. |
| 799.24375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.39375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.39375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.49375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.49375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.64375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.64375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.74375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.74375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.89375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.89375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 769.99375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 799.99375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.14375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.14375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.24375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.24375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.39375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.39375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.49375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.49375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.64375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.64375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.74375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.74375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.89375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.89375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 770.99375 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 800.99375 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.00625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.00625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.10625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.10625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.25625 MHz (base/mobile) | Calling. |
| 803.25625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.35625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.35625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.50625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.50625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.60625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.60625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.75625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.75625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 773.85625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 803.85625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.00625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.00625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.10625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.10625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.25625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.25625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.35625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.35625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.50625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.50625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.60625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.60625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.75625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.75625 MHz (mobile) | |
| 774.85625 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 804.85625 MHz (mobile) |
| 800 MHz mutual aid channel (MHz) | Purpose |
| 851.0125 MHz (base/mobile) | Calling. |
| 806.0125 MHz (mobile) | |
| 851.5125 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 806.5125 MHz (mobile) | |
| 852.0125 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 807.0125 MHz (mobile) | |
| 852.5125 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 857.5125 MHz (mobile) | |
| 853.0125 MHz (base/mobile) | Tactical. |
| 808.0125 MHz (mobile) |
Federal Interoperability Channels
Per 90.25, the Commission may authorize non-Federal licensees to operate mobile and portable radio units on the frequencies listed below in Tables 1 and 2, provided the applicant includes with its application to the Commission, written concurrence from the Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC) or state appointed official stating that the application conforms to the agreement with a federal agency with a valid assignment from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Table 1 – Law Enforcement Plans (MHz)
| LE VHF plan | LE UHF plan | |||||
| Identifier | Mobile transmit |
Mobile receive |
Identifier | Mobile transmit |
Mobile receive |
|
| LEA | 167.0875 (S) | 167.0875 | LEB | 414.0375 (S) | 414.0375 | |
| LE1 | 162.0875 | 167.0875 | LE10 | 418.9875 | 409.9875 | |
| LE2 | 162.2625 | 167.2500 | LE11 | 419.1875 | 410.1875 | |
| LE3 | 162.8375 | 167.7500 | LE12 | 419.6125 | 410.6125 | |
| LE4 | 163.2875 | 168.1125 | LE13 | 414.0625 (S) | 414.0625 | |
| LE5 | 163.4250 | 168.4625 | LE14 | 414.3125 (S) | 414.3125 | |
| LE6 | 167.2500 (S) | 167.2500 | LE15 | 414.3375 (S) | 414.3375 | |
| LE7 | 167.7500 (S) | 167.7500 | LE16 | 409.9875 (S) | 409.9875 | |
| LE8 | 168.1125 (S) | 168.1125 | LE17 | 410.1875 (S) | 410.1875 | |
| LE9 | 168.4625 (S) | 168.4625 | LE18 | 410.6125 (S) | 410.6125 | |
(S)—Simplex.
Table 2 – Incident Response Plans (MHz)
| LE VHF Plan | LE UHF Plan | |||||
| Identifier | Mobile transmit |
Mobile receive |
Identifier | Mobile transmit |
Mobile receive |
|
| NC1 Calling | 164.7125 | 169.5375 | NC2 Calling | 419.2375 | 410.2375 | |
| IR1 | 165.2500 | 170.0125 | IR10 | 419.4375 | 410.4375 | |
| IR2 | 165.9625 | 170.4125 | IR11 | 419.6375 | 410.6375 | |
| IR3 | 166.5750 | 170.6875 | IR12 | 419.8375 | 410.8375 | |
| IR4 | 167.3250 | 173.0375 | IR13 | 413.1875 (S) | 413.1875 | |
| IR5 | 169.5375 (S) | 169.5375 | IR14 | 413.2125 (S) | 413.2125 | |
| IR6 | 170.0125 (S) | 170.0125 | IR15 | 410.2375 (S) | 410.2375 | |
| IR7 | 170.4125 (S) | 170.4125 | IR16 | 410.4375 (S) | 410.4375 | |
| IR8 | 170.6875 (S) | 170.6875 | IR17 | 410.6375 (S) | 410.6375 | |
| IR9 | 173.0375 (S) | 173.0375 | IR18 | 410.8375 (S) | 410.8375 | |
