FCC Seeks Input on Possible Expansion of Licensing Rules
NSCA and Shure are collecting your opinions and comments regarding the Federal Communication Commission's proposal to revise wireless microphone license eligibility.
The deadline for these comments has been extended to March 1, so time is of the essence.
After nearly 35 years, the Federal Communications Commission is considering expanding its licensing rules for wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, production intercom systems, and similar equipment that operates in the television broadcast (VHF and UHF) band.
Until now, only broadcasters, motion picture and television program producers, and similar entities were eligible for licenses. The FCC is aware that wireless microphones are used today by musical performers, houses of worship, theaters, schools, businesses and many other types of entities.
The FCC permits wireless microphone operation either with or without a license. However, in the near future, licensed users may be afforded greater protection against interference from future consumer wireless TV Band Devices (both fixed and portable) that will operate in the same spectrum as wireless microphones.
The FCC is seeking comments from wireless users that will assist them in determining who should be eligible for a wireless microphone license. They need to know how you use wireless systems and how your productions and/or your business would be affected by sporadic interference from new TV Band Devices.
If you rely on wireless audio equipment, it is critical that you submit comments to the FCC before the deadline of March 1.
For guidelines on how you can submit comments on this issue, contact Director of Government Affairs & Industry Outreach, Cathy Mrosko, at 571.263.9800.
Updated 2-11-2010
NSCA Keeps Members Aware of FCC Changes
Wireless Microphones to Cease Operation in 700 MHz bandwidth by June 12, 2010
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced a deadline of June 12, 2010, for the cease of operations of all wireless microphones within the 700 MHz band.
The FCC seeks to prevent unlawful interference with public safety entities and commercial users that operate on the 700 MHz band following completion of the Digital Television transition last June and to prevent your members from receiving interference while using their microphones.
If a microphone does not operate on frequencies within the 700 MHz band, no action is required. Wireless microphones currently operate in a variety of different frequency bands, including many frequencies outside of the 700 MHz band. Only those wireless microphones using the 700 MHz band must cease operating. Some wireless microphones that operate in the 700 MHz band can be successfully retuned to operate in frequencies other than 700 MHz. If the wireless microphone operates only in the 700 MHz frequency band, it will need to be replaced.
Learn more:
For more information, contact the FCC Consumer Hotline at 1-888-CALL-FCC.
Updated 2-8-2010
NSCA Calls for Further Study on FCC White Spaces
FCC Identifies End Dates for Use of Wireless Microphones in the 700 MHz Band
On January 14, the FCC adopted the Wireless Microphone Report and Order to ensure low power auxiliary stations, including wireless microphones, are cleared from the 700 MHz Band to ensure public safety and commercial licenses can operate in the band without interference. As of June 12, 2010 wireless mics operating in this band must cease operations. For up-to-date information on this and other important dates relating to labeling and consumer notification, click here.
Additionally, the FCC is seeking comments until February 22, on revisions to rules governing the use of wireless microphones in core TV bands. To review the revisions and to provide comments, click here.
Review the letter NSCA sent Representative Bobby Rush in support of H.R. 4353 which would require a database that thirteen different classes of wireless microphone users would register the frequencies being used in order to protect them from interference.
Read the letter here: NSCA Letter of Support.
Shure Announces Strong Support for New Legislation to Protect Wireless Microphone Users From Interference
NILES IL, January 5, 2010 — The President and CEO of Shure Incorporated, Sandy LaMantia, today expressed the Company’s strong support for legislation recently introduced by Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL) that proposes to protect 13 different classes of wireless microphone users from interference that could result from the operation of new devices that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved for frequencies (known as the “white spaces”) currently occupied by wireless microphone users.
“Shure thanks and applauds Congressman Rush for his very thoughtful and balanced approach to the white spaces issue,” said LaMantia. “New white space devices and wireless microphone users can certainly coexist in the white spaces if the new FCC policy reflects an appreciation for the different classes of wireless microphone users who deserve protection from interference.”
The Rush legislation, H.R. 4353, would require the FCC to provide access to an electronic database where wireless microphone users will register their frequencies, thereby protecting their operation from interference from signals transmitted from the newly approved white spaces devices. The 13 classes of wireless microphone users in the Rush bill include amusement parks, arenas, convention centers, educational facilities, fairgrounds, government facilities, Houses of Worship, lodging facilities, museums, recording studios, restaurants, stadiums, and theaters.
“Congressman Rush’s bill simply and comprehensively identifies the professional classes of wireless microphone use and calls for their protection from interference by new devices,” said Mark Brunner, Shure’s Senior Director of Global Brand Management. “The general public is often unaware how common wireless microphones have become in everyday American life. This legislation spells it out and calls for continuity.”
Updated 1-11-2010
NSCA Files Comments for Protection of Wireless Microphone Audio Systems
NSCA members are dedicated to providing the best experience possible for their customers, whether it be in manufacturing a high quality low-voltage electronics device or designing and implementing a complex audio/video solution for a large conference or production. For this reason, NSCA, along with industry partners, have submitted comments regarding various proposals before the FCC on removing protections for wireless microphone audio systems. Many of these proposals would allow new electronic devices into the VHF/UHF frequencies commonly used by wireless systems today, therefore causing interference and interruption in NSCA members’ customers services.
To view the comments submitted by NSCA click here.
Click here for quick tips on registration and licensing wireless microphones.
Updated 8-6-2009
FCC Adopts Rules for Unlicensed Use of Television White Spaces
In its continuing efforts to promote efficient use of spectrum and to extend the benefits of such use to the public, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a Second Report and Order (Second R&O) that establishes rules to allow new, sophisticated wireless devices to operate in broadcast television spectrum on a secondary basis at locations where that spectrum is open. (This unused TV spectrum is now commonly referred to as television “white spaces”). The rules adopted today will allow for the use of these new and innovative types of unlicensed devices in the unused spectrum to provide broadband data and other services for consumers and businesses. Click here to read more.
FCC Update: Voice Your Support for the Protection of Wireless Microphone Frequencies
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recent activity regarding wireless microphones and the future of television band RF spectrum has led to a call to action for those working in wireless microphones.
The “White Spaces” Docket 04-186 has touched on several subjects important to the commercial electronic systems industry, specifically wireless microphone manufacturers, and has now expanded to the installers and end-users of these products and services.
In the summer of 2008, the FCC requested comments from the public on three important matters:
- a proposed ruling that called for wireless microphones to evacuate the partially auctioned, yet highly used 700 MHz band by February 2009 – the same deadline as the digital television conversion;
- the licensure of wireless microphones under rules written in 1977, which are not under interference protection, and;
- the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology field and lab tests on interference mitigation technology designed for deployment in future “white space” devices (including PDAs, cell phones etc.).
Even though a final ruling has not been made on the field and lab testing, the White Spaces Coalition, which includes Microsoft and Google as members, believes the FCC will open the TV spectrum to new devices without protecting wireless microphones.
Shure Inc. is leading the effort to ensure wireless microphones and new technologies can be deployed in the spectrum in February, but with protection. The company has submitted a proposal to the FCC that would create protected channels for both wireless microphones and new devices.
NSCA and Shure need your help. We are looking for those interested in providing comments to the FCC from the wireless microphone community. For more information or to submit comments on behalf of your organization in support of Shure’s FCC proposal and ensure sufficient protection of wireless microphones, contact Cathy Mrosko at cmrosko@nsca.org.
Commercial electronic systems industry members alarmed by early field testing
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, August 21, 2008 — In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson expressed concern regarding white spaces proceedings and new television bandwidth devices.
“Our members are alarmed by preliminary public reports about the FCC’s inconsistent sensing results,” Wilson said. “These inconsistent field tests present a very serious reliability issue that will impact our members and their ability to do business.”
Early reports indicate mixed results in the field. Some suggest that low-power wireless devices may interfere with the DTV spectrum. Supporters of these prototype white-space devices – which include laptops and smart radios – are vying to share the unused, or “white spaces,” portion of the television spectrum. The FCC is conducting tests to ensure these devices don’t interfere with digital reception.
As recently as August 9, the FCC conducted a test of white spaces devices before and during the Buffalo Bills-Washington Redskins game in Washington D.C. The result showed that the prototypes did not accurately sense wireless microphone signals, a function that would be required to prevent interference.
Because NSCA members design, install and maintain sophisticated integrated A/V, security and communication systems for a wide variety of venues, wireless components play a critical role in system design and functionality.
Wilson urged the FCC to conduct further field testing to ensure consistent and reliable results using a diverse array of usage environments.
More than four years ago, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that all television signals would be required to be digital as of February 17, 2009. This meant that many broadcasters would have to convert their analog signals to digital signals, which would open up “white spaces” that were previously home to licensed and unlicensed products.
On November 4, 2008, the FCC ruled that unlicensed devices would be allowed to operate in the white space frequency range of less than 697 MHz (channels 2-51). The final rules are the result of several years of intense efforts from both sides of the issue (primarily consumer products manufacturers versus wireless systems manufacturers) to educate the FCC. Safeguards such as certification, geolocation, spectrum sensing and a national database will all be implemented to protect and deter harmful interference in many areas, including house of worship, sports and entertainment venues, hotels, convention centers and more.
Final Report and Order on Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands