Wireless microphone systems and the FCC

[Hannibal]

For those in this group that use wireless microphone and instrument systems, you may want to read on. The FCC [Federal Communications Commission] has recently held a round of auctions of UHF frequencies to various wireless and broadband companies. All wireless systems in frequencies from 614 to 698 MHz will no longer be legal to use in the US in a year or two. The exact date for implementation has not yet been determined. A number of UHF TV stations that were forced to change frequencies in 2010, when the 698 to 806 MHz frequencies were auctioned of for the "4G" wireless companies will once again have to change channels. This will lead to a wireless landscape with many more challenges down the road. Please review the frequencies currently in use on your systems and prepare for these upcoming changes. These changes also apply to ALL wireless users including churches, schools, colleges, and athletics facilities. Thanks for your time.

[Hannibal]

Here is a link to the FCC web site for you:

https://www.fcc.gov/general/wireless-microphones-0

This will provide more details to help you comply with the new rules.

[Hannibal]

Apparently T-Mobile, the cell carrier who bought a large chunk of the 614-698 MHz spectrum, has already started field testing of their new systems all over the country. If you have any wireless in this frequency band and begin experiencing interference, you will have to stop using the wireless immediately and replace it. Private message me if you have questions or need help. Those who know who I am, just call or text me. I have documentation that I can forward to you if you wish.

[Hannibal]

T-Mobile has already begun to energize their 600 MHz equipent is counties near Blair County. Some of the existing TV broadcast stations in the Altoona area will also be changing frequencies as part of this process, and they have until June 1, 2019 to complete their transition to the new frequencies. Following that, any use of 600 MHz wireless will be illegal to use in the vicinity.

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/op ... icrophones

In addition to that, some of the frequencies between 470 and 614 MHZ that used to be clear will then have high powered TV stations in some of these frrquencies.

For anyone who missed it, the 698 to 806 MHZ frquencies have been illegal to use since June 30, 2010.

[Hannibal]

CONSUMER ALERT

This particular wireless microphone device operates in portions of the 617-652 MHz or 663-698 MHz frequencies. Beginning in 2017, these frequencies are being transitioned by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the 600 MHz service to meet increasing demand for wireless broadband services. Users of this device must cease operating on these frequencies no later than July 13, 2020. In addition, users of this device may be required to cease operations earlier than that date if their operations could cause harmful interference to a 600 MHz service licensee's wireless operations on these frequencies. For more information, visit the FCC's wireless microphone website at www.fcc.gov/wireless-microphones-guide or call the FCC at 1- 888-CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC).

[Hannibal]

Check out this latest wireless frequency update:

https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/gear-an ... -evolution

Please take a little time to read the entire article. It could save you money in the long run.

[Hannibal]

https://www.prosoundnetwork.com/
Editor’s Note: Welcome to Need to Know, a monthly feature where we explain complex topics and demonstrate how they apply to each industry we serve. Need to Know stories appear on our websites and in our magazines. Keep coming back for future topics, to include cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
When the FCC closed bidding in its auction for frequencies in the 600 MHz spectrum in April 2017, the situation didn’t look good for the countless audio professionals whose wireless mics and in-ear monitors operated in that frequency band. And then things got worse.
When the dust settled, T-Mobile had spent $7.9 billion to sew up 45 percent of the 600 MHz band, or roughly 35 MHz. It was quite a coup, too, as nabbing such a large chunk of the 600 MHz rangeâ€"known in the telecom industry as Band 71â€"would provide a foundation for the carrier to build a new 5G network across the United States. With exclusive access to a prized parcel of low-frequency spectrum, T-Mobile would be able to offer improved reception and broadband access for its customers, because low-frequency transmissions can penetrate structures four times better and travel twice as far as midband ones. Building out in the 600 MHz range would also provide the company with access to a whole new array of customers, extending the reach of broadband to low-income and rural communitiesâ€"two groups most commonly without high-speed internet access.
However, what the auction meant for audio pros whose wireless gear operated in the 600 MHz service band (617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz) was that they had to get outâ€"and the sooner, the better. Fines would be imposed on those who failed to comply with FCC’s eviction notice.
This is not the first time many audio pros have faced this issue; in 2010, the FCC bumped pro audio out of the 700 MHz band (roughly 698-806 MHz) as it requisitioned that range for the use of public safety and some commercial interests. This time around, however, affected pro audio users would have some time to make the transitionâ€"for the 600 MHz exodus, the FCC provided a 10-phase schedule of multiple deadlines that would gradually evict all existing users from the range by July 13, 2020.
That plan didn’t last. After plunking down nearly $8 billion, T-Mobile was anxious to move forward and laid down its own timeline, accelerating the FCC’s schedule by 16 months as it envisioned an aggressive, fast-paced deployment that would lay the groundwork for the jump to 5G as soon as possible. The carrier fired up its first 600 MHz network site in Cheyenne, WY, in August 2017 and never looked back; by year’s end, it had already covered more than 1 million square miles. To help maintain that blistering pace, T-Mobile entered partnerships with FOX Television Stations and others to assist in repacking stations across the country, speeding up their access to cleared spectrum lanes.
With T-Mobile moving faster than anyone anticipated, audio pros need to replace any equipment that works in Band 71 as soon as possible. The FCC prohibited the sale and leasing of wireless audio gear in that range after Oct. 13, 2018, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any brand-new 600 MHz systems for sale in the U.S. now anyway. Most major wireless mic manufacturers have responded with special discounts and trade-in programs to soften the blow for customers who have to purchase sometimes eye-watering numbers of new systems.
Naturally, some pros will consider taking a risk and continuing to use the 600 MHz gear they already own, since they’re being forced to abandon systems that work just fine. While experts in the field admit that the government is unlikely to actively police frequencies, they also note that any entity that shelled out billions for the spectrum range is almost certain to bring violators to the attention of the FCC. That can lead to fines of $10,000 per violation, or per day for a continuing violation, and $75,000 for any single act or failure to actâ€"enough money to buy plenty of new, street-legal wireless systems.
Clive Young is the editor of Pro Sound News.
© 2018 Pro Sound News is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.

[Hannibal]

T-Mobile and the other wireless carriers will have all of their 600 MHz [ 5G ] systems operational by June 30th. If any if your wireless systems are used after June 30, 2019, you can be cited and given a hefty fine to pay. Spare yourself the hassles

[Hannibal]

WKBS TV, currently on channel 47 in the Altoona area, which is 662 - 668 MHz, plans to be on their new frequency by the end of summer. They'll be on channel 6, which is 82 - 88 MHz. T-Mobile will be clear to power up all of their new 600 MHZ band sites in the region at that time. I thought you should know about it.

[Hannibal]

When T-Mobile powers up their equipment, it will be ILLEGAL to operate in the 614-698 MHz frequencies. FCC fines can be up to $10,000 per day per frequency if you interfere with wireless broadband

[Hannibal]

T-Mobile 600 MHz operational counties in Pennsylvania as of 5 June 2019

https://howmobileworks.com/spectrum/

Bedford PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Berks PA Central, PA Northeast BCD Q2 2019
Blair PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Bradford PA Central, PA Northeast BCDE Q2 2019
Bucks PA Philadelphia, PA Northeast BCD deployed
Cambria PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Clarion PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Clearfield PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Crawford PA Cleveland, OH Central BCDE deployed
Elk PA UpState, NY Northeast BCDE deployed
Erie PA Cleveland, OH Central BCDE deployed
Forest PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Huntingdon PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Indiana PA Pittsburgh, PA Central CD deployed
Jefferson PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Lehigh PA Philadelphia, PA Northeast BC deployed
Luzerne PA Central, PA Northeast BC Q2 2019
Lycoming PA Central, PA Northeast BCD deployed
McKean PA UpState, NY Northeast BCDE deployed
Mercer PA Cleveland, OH Central BCD deployed
Monroe PA Central, PA Northeast BC Q2 2019
Montgomery PA Philadelphia, PA Northeast BCD deployed
Northampton PA Philadelphia, PA Northeast BC deployed
Philadelphia PA Philadelphia, PA Northeast BCD deployed
Pike PA New Jersey, NJ Northeast BCD deployed
Snyder PA Central, PA Northeast BCD deployed
Somerset PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Susquehanna PA Central, PA Northeast BCDE deployed
Union PA Central, PA Northeast BCD Q2 2019
Venango PA Pittsburgh, PA Central BCDE deployed
Warren PA UpState, NY Northeast BCDE deployed
Wayne PA Central, PA Northeast BCD deployed
Wyoming PA Central, PA Northeast BCD Q2 2019
Camden NJ Philadelphia, PA NORTHEAST BCD deployed
Cumberland NJ Philadelphia, PA NORTHEAST BCD Q2 2019
Gloucester NJ Philadelphia, PA NORTHEAST BCD Q2 2019
Salem NJ Philadelphia, PA NORTHEAST BCD Q2 2019
Adams PA Central, PA NORTHEAST BCDE Q2 2019
Allegheny PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019
Armstrong PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019
Beaver PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019
Butler PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019
Columbia PA Central, PA NORTHEAST BCD Q3 2019
Fayette PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL BCDE Q3 2019
Greene PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL BCDE Q3 2019
Lawrence PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019
Montour PA Central, PA NORTHEAST BCD Q3 2019
Northumberland PA Central, PA NORTHEAST BCD Q2 2019
Schuylkill PA Central, PA NORTHEAST BCDE Q3 2019
Washington PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019
Westmoreland PA Pittsburgh, PA CENTRAL CD Q3 2019