Promoting Spectrum Access for Wireless Microphone Operations

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking On September 30 th, 2014 the FCC initiated a proceeding to address how to accommodate the long-term needs of wireless microphones. Recent actions by the Commission, and in particular the repurposing of broadcast television band spectrum for wireless services set forth in the Incentive Auction R&O, will significantly alter the regulatory environment in which wireless microphones operate, which necessitates our addressing how to accommodate wireless microphone users in the future. Following the incentive auction, with the repacking of the television band and the repurposing of current television spectrum for wireless services, there will be fewer frequencies in the UHF band available for use for wireless microphone operations. Our goal here is to issue an order in this proceeding before the commencement of the incentive auction.

Bands Currently Available for Wireless Microphones Frequency BandLicensed/unlicensedRule Part MHz (VHF) LicensedPart MHz (VHF) LicensedPart 74 Portions of MHz band (VHF) LicensedPart MHz (FM) UnlicensedPart , MHz (UHF) LicensedPart , 76-88, , , MHz (VHF and UHF) Licensed and unlicensed Part 74 and Part 15 (waiver) MHz (UHF) LicensedPart MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz (ISM bands) UnlicensedPart MHz (unlicensed PCS) UnlicensedPart 15 Ultra-wideband ( GHz) UnlicensedPart 15 In January 2010, following the repurposing of TV channels for wireless services, the Commission adopted rules which required that all wireless microphones cease operations on the 700 MHz band no later than June 12, 2010, one year after the end of the DTV transition. In September 2010, to the extent that unused TV channels were available for use by both wireless microphones and TVWS devices at a particular location, wireless microphone operators could obtain interference protection from TVWS devices.

Along comes the Incentive Auctions! In the Incentive Auction R&O adopted on May 15, 2014 The Commission took several actions to accommodate wireless microphone operations, – including making rule revisions to provide additional opportunities for wireless microphone operations in the bands that will remain allocated for television following the incentive auction – permitting wireless microphone operations in the newly- designated 600 MHz Band guard bands – and providing for a transition period to give wireless microphone users that will need to cease operating in the spectrum repurposed for 600 MHz Band wireless services sufficient time to replace their equipment and move operations to other spectrum bands available for wireless microphone uses.

Operations Today Most wireless microphones users today operate their devices on a secondary basis in the TV bands, with most operations occurring in the UHF TV bands. The TV bands have long been licensed for wireless microphone operations by broadcasters and similar program producers, where they have had access to many unused television channels. In addition, this spectrum has favorable propagation conditions, the signals do not suffer significantly as a result of body loss, antenna sizes are manageable, and there is relatively lower power consumption leading to longer battery life – all of which can be helpful for many wireless microphone purposes. Manufacturers have supplied numerous devices, operating on varying segments of the TV bands, that provide a range of users with wireless microphones suitable for their different needs. Although there has at times been a shortage of sufficient available channels in major cities and congested areas, where unused channels are limited and numerous microphones might be needed for particular events, the overall availability of spectrum in the TV bands has enabled wireless microphone users generally to address their needs.

Seek More Information Users and uses Suitability of different bands Development, manufacturing, and distribution of new types of wireless microphones Transition issues Operations in other countries – what regulatory schemes are particularly effective? Technological advancements – more efficient digital devices We seek comment on wireless microphone operations with respect to each of these bands – the TV bands, the 600 MHz Band guard bands, and the 600 MHz Band being repurposed for wireless services. Existing rules of the other bands

More information Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: microphone-operations microphone-operations