No more wireless microphones in the 700MHz band

The FCC has ruled that unlicensed devices including wireless microphones will no longer be welcome in the 700MHz band after the DTV transition. The decision comes as no surprise to manufacturers who have lobbied hard against it. We hope the FCC will act sensibly in re-allocating a small sliver of spectrum for these and other unlicensed devices.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to prohibit the use of wireless microphones and other devices in the 700-megahertz band after the transition to digital.

FCC chairman Kevin Martin proposed the ban earlier this month.

The FCC also wants to prohibit the manufacture, sale, import or shipment of such devices that operate in the 700-MHz band.

The devices have been sharing the spectrum with broadcasters on those channels (52-69), but those channels are being reclaimed for advanced wireless uses by industry and first-responders after the Feb. 17, 2009, transition to DTV.

The FCC said the move affects 156 licenses, but only 30 are not also authorized to operate in other bands that will still be available after the transition, including some DTV-spectrum band.

Effective on release of the order, there will be a freeze on applications for any “low-power auxiliary station,” which is the category that includes the wireless mikes, as well as equipment that synchronizes TV-camera signals.

The commission also sought comment on a proposal to authorize current unauthorized users in the 700 mHz band–many wireless mike users are not licensed, in violation of FCC rules–by allowing them to operator on channels below 52-69. It will also look into complaints about the marketing of those microphones. (Broadcasting & Cable)