600 MHz Update: Wireless Questions Answered

WHAT happened?

In 2017, congress directed the FCC to reallocate a portion of the UHF TV spectrum to be sold for broadband wireless devices, such as smart phones.  On April 13, 2017, the FCC announced the successful sale of 84 MHz of the UHF spectrum and the 39-month plan to repack the existing TV spectrum.

WHO is affected?

One result of the auction is that production wireless devices that operate in the auctioned 600 MHz band (specifically 608 – 698 MHz) will become illegal to use.  This applies to wireless microphone, in-ear monitoring, IFB, and intercom solutions, as well as other equipment.

WHERE are the TV stations moving?

Another result of the auction is that TV stations operating in the 600 MHz band were given the option of vacating or being re-assigned to a lower channel.  To fit these additional stations into the remaining, diminished spectrum, some TV stations in the 470 – 600 MHz spectrum have also been affected. 

 

Chicago TV Stations

TV Stations moving in the Chicagoland area.

WHEN do the changes take effect?

Over the 39 month transition period, the FCC is coordinating the delicate dance of relocating lower region TV stations to make room for the re-assigned 600 MHz stations.  This process will directly affect the  Chicagoland area in September 2019.

HOW will I be affected?

As the 600 MHz spectrum clears during the transition period, T-Mobile and other auction winners will begin testing and deploying new technologies making usage of the 600 MHz region increasingly unstable.  Additionally, the remaining UHF spectrum will become denser with TV broadcasters, causing previously open channels to be unusable.

WHAT are my options?

If you own a wireless system that operates in the 600 MHz range, it will need to be replaced.  Manufacturers, including Shure, Sennheiser and Audio-Technica, are offering trade-in rebates for 600 MHz systems with the purchase of new systems.  Many of these new systems feature technologies that are aimed specifically to handle the shrinking spectrum, including spectrally-efficient digital transmissions and alternate operating bands (such as VHF, DECT, or 2.4 GHz).

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