FCC & 600 MHz Spectrum Update 2017 Ben Escobedo Sr. Market Development
Wireless Microphone Technology VHF (30 MHz 300 MHz) First performance wireless microphones were VHF Solid Performance Long Antennas LONG ANTENNAS!
Wireless Microphone Technology UHF (300 MHz 1 GHz) Sweet spot of wireless range (power vs. distance) Manageable antenna length Excellent wave propagation Common frequencies for most PRO wireless microphones Axient Dig ital (pictu red)
Wireless Microphone Technology 1.9 GHz (DECT) (1920 MHz to 1930 MHz in USA) License-free operation in most parts of the world - DECT Less wave propagation than UHF (due to short wave length) Less channel count than UHF Latency 10-19ms for most devices (Analog UHF = near zero latency)
Wireless Microphone Technology 2.4 GHz (300 MHz 2.4 GHz) License-free operation in most parts of the world Short antenna length Less wave propagation than UHF (due to short wave length) Crowded band with many devices of all kinds (RF mics 6-12ch MAX ch count)
The Big Picture Why? Global mobile data growth rate of 81% for 2013 Video exceeds 50% of traffic for the first time 2013 mobile data was 18X the total internet in 2000 Mobile devices exceed world s population in 2014 US Federal government is in a global competition to find and allocate new spectrum for mobile broadband
T-Mobile Map Active by November 1st
3 z H k MO DA TA RE D IST BIG AN AN G TE ER CE NN A NT A EN NA MO R SM AL L ER E 0 30 z
300 MHz 3 GHz
Broadcast vs. Broadband 15% Watch TV antenna 64% Own a Smartphone
UHF Spectrum Reallocation: A Brief History 1997: FCC begins the process of DTV transition May 2014: FCC adopts Incentive Auction Report & Order November 2008: White Space rules adopted January 2008: 700 MHz auction brings in $19.6B June 2010: DTV transition completed
FCC UHF Incentive Auction Action Congress passes Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Goals More spectrum for mobile broadband Fund the nationwide public safety network Put remainder in treasury Tactic Voluntary Incentive Auction of spectrum relinquished by TV broadcasters Proceeds shared
Incentive Auction Stages Reverse Auction TV stations bid to change/share channel OR go dark for $ Forward Auction Carriers bid $ on open spectrum Repacking Stations are moved to new channels
Auction Timeline R&O approved May 15, 2014 Auction begins March 29, 2016 Channel Reassignment Public Notice: 3 to 6 months post-auction 39-month transition for repacking
Possible Auction Outcomes 600 MHz Band MHz
Auction Stages 1-3 June 29 - Stage 1 Reverse Auction Complete: 126 MHz, $86 billion August 20 - Stage 1 Forward Auction Stopped: $23 billion September 13 - Stage 2 Reverse Auction Complete: 114 MHz, $54.5 billion October 19 - Stage 2 Forward Auction begins (and ends!): $21.5 billion Nov. 1 Stage 3 Reverse Auction Begins: 108 MHz, $40.3 billion
Auction Stages 3-4 December 5 - Stage 3 Forward Auction begins (and ends), $19.6 billion January 13, 2017 - Stage 4 Reverse Auction Complete: 84 MHz, $10.05 billion January 18, 2017 - Stage 4 Forward Auction Begins: minimum requirements met! February 10, 2017 Forward auction ends, $19.6 billion Spring 2017 Channel Reassignment public notice issued
Final Auction Outcome: 84 MHz 698 MHz 614 MHz Guard Band Duplex Gap
UHF TV Band BEFORE Transition 470 MHz 698 MHz TV Channels 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Licensed Wireless Mics (250 mw max) Licensed Wireless Mics (250 mw max) Unlicensed Wireless Mics (50 mw max) Unlicensed Wireless Mics (50 mw max) White Space Devices White Space Devices Public Safety (13 cities) Wireless microphones should not be used on these channels in these cities, where they are allocated for Public Safety communications: Boston (14, 16) Chicago (14, 15) Cleveland (14, 15) Dallas (16) Detroit (15, 16) Houston (17) Los Angeles (14, 16, 20) Miami (14) New York (14, 15, 16) Philadelphia (19, 20) Pittsburgh (14, 18) San Francisco (16, 17) Washington DC (17, 18) Channel 37 (608-614 MHz) is reserved for use by Radio Astronomy and Wireless Medical Telemetry Systems
UHF TV Band AFTER Transition NEW UHF TV BAND 470 MHz 600 MHz BAND 614 MHz 616 MHz 653 MHz 663 MHz 698 MHz TV Channels 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Licensed Wireless Mics (250 mw max) G B Unlicensed Wireless Mics (50 mw max) Mobile Broadband Duplex Gap Mobile Broadband White Space Devices Public Safety (13 cities) Wireless microphones should not be used on these channels in these cities, where they are allocated for Public Safety communications: Boston (14, 16) Chicago (14, 15) Cleveland (14, 15) Dallas (16) Detroit (15, 16) Houston (17) Los Angeles (14, 16, 20) Miami (14) New York (14, 15, 16) Philadelphia (19, 20) Pittsburgh (14, 18) San Francisco (16, 17) Washington DC (17, 18) Guard Band Channel 37 (608-614 MHz) is reserved for use by Radio Astronomy, Wireless Medical Telemetry Systems, and White Space Devices Duplex Gap Licensed WM Licensed WM Unlicensed WM 614-616 MHz 20 mw max Licensed WM Unlicensed WM White Space Devices 653-657 MHz 20 mw max 657-663 MHz 20 mw max
Spectrum Update 700 MHz Band Core TV Band 470 MHz DTV Analog TV WIRELESS MICS SAFETY 806 MHz 698 MHz DTV 2009 Analog NewTV Services S A F E T Y S A F E T Y
Spectrum Update 600 MHz 600 MHz Band Core TV Band 470 MHz 806 MHz Uplink WIRELESS MICS Downlink 608 MHz DTV SAFETY 700 MHz Band 2009 New Services S A F E T Y S A F E T Y
Spectrum Update Core TV Band 470 MHz Rad io Astr ono my WIRELESS MICS Uplink DTV Downlink 608 MHz SAFETY 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 47 047 6 47 648 2 48 248 8 48 849 4 49 450 0 50 050 6 50 651 2 51 251 8 51 852 4 52 453 0 53 053 6 53 654 2 54 254 8 54 855 4 55 456 0 56 056 6 56 657 2 57 257 8 57 858 4 58 459 0 59 059 6 59 660 2 60 260 8 60 861 4 61 462 0 62 062 6 62 663 2 63 263 8 63 864 4 64 465 0 65 065 6 65 666 2 66 266 8 66 867 4 67 468 0 68 068 6 68 669 2 69 269 8
Guard Band & Duplex Gap Guard Band 3 A B C D E F G Duplex Gap 11 A B C D E F G
Spectrum Update 614-6 616-61 16 7 2MHz 1M Hz DOWNLINK TV37 Unlice Gua nsed rd Gua rd Licensed Unlicensed 652-65 3 653-657 657-663 1M Hz 4MHz 6MHz UPLINK Duplex Gap Guard Band
Licensing - The New Hierarchy TV Stations Licensed Wireless Mics Unlicensed Wireless Mics & TV Band Devices
Second R&O: Wireless Mics Expands License Eligibility Continues unlicensed operation Commits to further proceeding for additional spectrum GN Docket Nos. 14-166 and 12-268; FCC 14-145 Spectrum Access for Wireless Microphone Operations Co-channel operation allowed, if indoor received signal strength < -85 dbm
Wireless Mic License Eligibility Any number of wireless mics Venues and Sound Companies (50+ channels) Broadcasters Educational TV Cable networks TV & Film Production Theaters Houses of Worship Convention Centers Theme parks Educational Centers Government Locations
Part 74 Licensee Advantages Ability to register for protected channels in the TV bands (prevents WSD interference) Ability to transmit up to 250 mw More access to additional spectrum opportunities outside the TV band
New Homes for Mics GN Docket Nos. 14-166 and 12-268; FCC 14-145 Spectrum Access for Wireless Microphone Operations Unlicensed Users Unlicensed Bands (900/2400 MHz) 1920 1930 MHz (PCS band) Back to VHF! Licensed Users 944 952 MHz Expanded eligibility (all licensed users not just broadcast!) Add adjacent bands (941 960 MHz) 1.4 GHz (1435 1525 MHz) Managed by AFTRCC Special Permission required 3.5 GHz 7 GHz
Wireless Mic Spectrum After Transition 174 MHz 7 8 470 MHz 216 MHz 9 10 11 12 13 614 MHz 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 VHF TV 1920 MHz 900 MHz 1930 MHz 2400 MHz M 95 6.2 Hz 50 MH z 95 6.4 50 MH 95 z 9.8 50 MH z 95 2M Hz 94 1.5 MH z 1.9 GHz 50 928 MHz 95 2.8 902 MHz UHF TV Licensed Users Only 2483.5 MHz 2.4 GHz
Shure Solutions VHF (ULX-D and QLX-D) 900 MHz (ULX-D and QLX-D) DECT (Microflex Wireless) 2.4 GHz (GLX-D Advanced) AXIENT DIGITAL More to come!
What You Should Do Don t panic! Current owners of 600 MHz wireless: Consult the databases (during transition) to determine spectrum availability Consult with manufacturers Purchasing new wireless? Consider staying below 614 MHz Choose the most spectrally efficient wireless Consider alternate frequency bands (where appropriate) Eligible users: get licensed!
For more information: Shure Incentive Auction Resource Center http://www.shure.com/americas/incentive-auction-resource-ce nter Technical Support: www.shure.com/faq