Update: Protection of Wireless Microphones, July 10, 2017

A new opportunity for interference protection for wireless microphones used in theatre is possible! To preserve and promote high standards of artistry onstage; safety for stagehands, actors, and audiences; and accessibility for hearing-impaired patrons in our audiences, TCG supports an imminent FCC proceeding that has been opposed by Microsoft.

On Thursday, July 13, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold its July Open Meeting and has proposed to consider a new proceeding prompted by petitions filed by Shure and Sennheiser, two wireless microphone manufacturers. This new proceeding would propose permitting certain qualifying professional theatre, music, performing arts organizations, and similar organizations to obtain Part 74 licenses to operate wireless mics based on the applicant’s demonstrated need and requisite professional ability to operate in the bands, even if they routinely use fewer than 50 wireless microphones.

BACKGROUND: For 35 years, wireless microphone technology has facilitated users’ unrestricted on-stage movement and helped to create sophisticated sound. Not-for-profit performing arts organizations and schools have relied on this equipment, which currently operates within the “white space” frequencies between broadcast channels of the television band. Wireless systems are also integral to backstage communications used by stagehands—interference to these backstage communications could compromise the safety of performers, technicians, and audiences. Many sound systems for hearing-impaired patrons also rely on wireless technology operating in these white spaces.

The FCC ruled in 2010 that portions of the white space broadcast spectrum would be shared by wireless microphones and new “white space devices” (aka TV-band devices) such as PDAs, cordless phones, and laptops. In order to implement the rule, the FCC ordered several protection measures, including the establishment of a geo-location database which would allow the new devices and wireless microphones to share spectrum without interference. Several other interference protection measures had been put in place, but all except the database have since been eliminated.

In 2012, the FCC began work to transition spectrum from TV broadcasting to wireless broadband through spectrum auctions. In 2014, for the first time, the FCC allowed a limited expansion of Part 74 licensing, which permits registration in the database, to performing arts entities. Until then, only broadcasters, cable companies, and movie studios were eligible for this type of license. Venue owners and operators and sound companies that routinely use 50 or more devices per event became eligible for a license.

However, the vast majority of not-for-profit performing arts venues in the United States use fewer than 50 devices. In 2015, the FCC eliminated the ability of unlicensed wireless microphones to access the database, thereby leaving this equipment without interference protection from TV-band devices.

RECENT ACTIVITY: On July 3, Microsoft filed a statement with the FCC which “recommended that the Commission not propose to permit an expanded class of wireless microphone users to block wireless broadband operations in White Spaces channels.”

TCG believes that it is in the public interest for the FCC to allow the proceeding to move forward—not to cave to Microsoft. The proceeding will allow for investigation and discussion of the issues, which may ultimately result in a solution that satisfies all parties!