In the Fall of 2012, the Federal Communications Commission announced plans for an incentive auction of UHF spectrum in the 600 MHz Band – adjacent to the previously auctioned 700 MHz Band, moving down from 698 MHz (TV channel 51). Many of these frequencies in the 600 MHz band are used by MI audio users for wireless mics, wireless instruments, In-Ear Monitors, and so on.
Ironically, some of these affected systems migrated to those frequencies after the FCC’s previous “reallocation” of TV channels 52 to 69 (the so-called “700 MHz band” from 698 to 806 MHz) in 2008, which were made illegal for pro wireless applications after June 12, 2010. But a recent change at the FCC may spell some good news for pro wireless users. Last December, the auction date, originally scheduled for 2014, was pushed out to mid-2015.
In February, Shure’s Mark Brunner and others went to Washington D.C. to meet with some of the FCC commissioners and the Incentive Auction Task Force. There, they described the public demand for more complex professional live events that rely on wireless microphone technology.
“What MI dealers need to know is that another portion of the UHF spectrum, the higher portion of the band, will be sold for licensed mobile broadband services,” explains Brunner. “In 2015, another auction to the likes of AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more will occur, leaving a smaller footprint for over-the-air television and wireless audio in UHF. The actual amount of spectrum to be repurposed will be determined by the number of TV broadcasters who are willing to relinquish their spectrum licenses in exchange for a portion of the auction proceeds.”
The implication is that those purchasing new wireless equipment may be better served by lower frequencies in the UHF band, or bands outside of UHF such as 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz. Those professionals who rely on UHF to support a high number of audio channels may be affected, but “retailers who are dealing with customers who need to operate only a few channels simultaneously can direct them towards products using the unlicensed 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz bands.”
The issue of concern is, in theory, a small bar, a church, or theater using a wireless product sold by the local music store experiences interference or is no longer able to operate legally due to FCC rule changes. Moving into the unlicensed bands of 900 MHz and 2.4 GHz reduces the risk of future rule changes, but they are crowded with consumer uses (Wi-Fi signals). Fortunately, Brunner says that recently developed “digital technology can be deployed that will avoid interference from other devices whenever it occurs, instantly locating a backup frequency to make the wireless microphone system immune to the other traffic in the band.”
“The portion of the UHF band that is auctioned will require guard bands in the middle and on the edge, and those guard bands are useful,” Brunner says. “In many cases they may be perfectly suitable for wireless audio, but might run some risk in critical applications. Rules around use of the guard bands will likely be determined in the FCC’s upcoming Report and Order, and those rules may allow for the continued operation of some 600 MHz band equipment far into the future.”
Major telecom providers – among them AT&T and Verizon – have been anxious to snag every bit of that bandwidth, and with billions of dollars at stake (possibly as high as $20B), it is unlikely that pro audio users could possibly compete in a bidding war against these corporate giants. However, leading manufacturers of pro wireless products like Shure have been visiting with the FCC like they did in February to make the commission aware of the needs of our industry.
But Brunner is clear that there’s no going back, only going forward.
“We’re part of a global transition – there’s an undeniable economic force called mobile broadband technology, which must be accommodated by all of us who create wireless products, even if wireless microphones were here long before the smartphone. It’s been Shure’s position to help educate our regulators about what we do with wireless microphone technology, and to put a face to the event producers and content creators who rely on it every day. That’s been our mantra, and we’ve been successful at alerting our regulators of the global needs of this industry.”
Brunner stresses that it’s important for everyone involved to stay in touch with changes happening. “Know if you’re operating on a legal frequency, and keep checking our website where we’re always updating the news and offering advice,” Brunner says. “The FCC website is also a good resource for staying up to date. We encourage our retailers to understand the fluid situation and be able to keep their customers informed.”
George Petersen, editor of MMR’s sister publication FOH, contributed to this report.
