WASHINGTON, DC – For many pro wireless users, the past five years have been a nightmarish roller coaster of uncertainty. It all began with the Federal Communications Commission’s 2008 auction of the 700 MHz band (698 to 806 MHz) from the reallocation of TV channels 52 to 69 and the “white spaces” issue, where available space between frequency bands was made illegal for pro wireless applications after June 12, 2010.
That was bad enough, then two years ago, the FCC did it again, this time announcing upcoming auction for huge swaths of the 600 MHz band. This was pretty bad news, particularly for anyone who abandoned the previously abandoned their 700 MHz gear and took refuge in the supposedly safe confines of the 600 MHz spectra. In the meantime, the 600 MHz auction was delayed twice, but don’t worry, it’s still slated for early 2016.
However, thanks to a Herculean lobbying effort by interested legislators, key production industry personnel and wireless mic manufacturers, particularly Shure, Sennheiser, Lectrosonics and Audio-Technica, a little sunshine is breaking through the clouded situation. The key points they presents focused on making sure the FCC was aware of the need for clean bandwidth for wireless mic users, while offering suggestions for possible solutions.
First, A Little Reality
No, the wireless audio world of the post-600 MHz auction is not gonna be like it is right now. Huge sections of that bandwidth will disappear forever. However, according to a recent FCC ruling, this will not be like the clear-cutting deforestation that happened in the 700 MHz fiasco.
On August 5, 2015, the FCC adopted Report and Order (FCC 15-100) that modernizes its Part 15 rules to accommodate growing demand for bandwidth, while addressing the “long-term needs of wireless microphone users by providing for continued access to the 600 MHz band and expanding access to other bands.”
These new rules were adopted to permit unlicensed fixed and personal/portable white space devices and unlicensed wireless microphones to use channels in the 600 MHz and television broadcast bands while continuing to protect television and other licensed services from harmful interference.
The FCC’s Part 15 rules permit unlicensed devices to operate on unused TV channels, within the so-called “white space” spectrum. Following the upcoming incentive auction, there will most certainly be fewer white space frequencies in the television band for unlicensed use — but these spaces will exist, although their exact frequencies are yet to be determined.
Specifically, the new rules:
• Provide more opportunities for licensed use in the remaining TV bands by allowing greater use of the VHF channels and permitting co-channel operations inside DTV contours without coordination if TV signals fall below specified threshold;
• Expand eligibility for licensed use of a 4 MHz portion of the 600 MHz duplex gap to include all licensed users in the TV bands (broadcasters, cable programming networks, movie studios and operators at major sporting/concerts/theater venues); and
• Provide new opportunities for licensed wireless mics to operate on a secondary basis in three additional spectrum bands, consistent with the FCC’s spectrum management goals.
600 MHz and Beyond
These FCC goals also include access to significantly more spectrum in the 900 MHz band; access to a portion of the 1,435 MHz to 1,525 MHz band at specified times and places, subject to requirements that protect critical aeronautic mobile telemetry; and access to portions of the 6,875 MHz to 7,125 MHz band. Together with the rules adopted by the FCC on August 5th regarding unlicensed use of the 600 MHz band these new rules provide for efficient sharing of these bands to accommodate wireless mic users, while continuing to protect the licensed users of each of the bands.
For more information, visit the FCC at www.fcc.gov.
