Just when we all adjusted to 2009’s FCC regulations involving the use of wireless microphones and mobile devices in the TV band, along comes a new wrinkle: the incentive auction.  This is not, repeat not, cause for alarm.  In this post, we’ll break it down into its simplest elements – explain the basic concept, survey the changing landscape, share the expected timeline and diffuse some common misunderstandings about how a spectrum change is likely to affect you and your wireless gear.

The FCC is under intense pressure to reallocate even more spectrum for mobile broadband. The rising popularity of smartphones and tablets has placed an additional strain on the currently available spectrum.  Consider, for example, the fact that smartphones use 35 times more spectrum than traditional cell phones and tablets use 121 times as much.  So the FCC is looking for innovative ways to open up additional spectrum, with the loftier goal of “spurring economic growth and maintaining the country’s mobile leadership.” Legislators are aware of these issues and recently took action to address them.

The bill granting special authority to the FCC was signed into law on February 2012.  It gave them permission to launch a one-time incentive auction that will repurpose some of the broadcast television spectrum. The basic premise is pretty simple: broadcast stations can elect to give up some of their assigned spectrum (either by moving to a different channel, sharing a channel with another station, or going off the air entirely) and offer them, through the FCC, to the highest bidder.  When the incentive auction is complete, the FCC will reallocate the cleared portion of the TV band spectrum to the auction winners.

How it Works. Courtesy: FCC LEARN site

Forward, Reverse and Repacking

Here are some terms you are likely to run across in coverage of the incentive auction.

Reverse Auction

The reverse auction is where broadcasters will establish their price to voluntarily relinquish spectrum rights in exchange for a portion of the proceeds from the forward auction.

Forward Auction

The forward auction is where the potential users of repurposed spectrum bid for new flexible-use licenses. The FCC is familiar with forward auctions in the spectrum context, and has been conducting them for nearly two decades.

Repacking

Repacking involves assigning channels to the broadcast television stations that remain on the air after the incentive auction… This process considers only a reassignment of channels, not geographic moves of stations; however, a station that opts to channel-share may have to move its antenna to a new geographic location – i.e., its sharing partner’s tower.

NRPM

This is the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that forces government agencies (FAA, FCC, EPA for instance) to listen to comments and concerns of people whom the regulation will likely affect. The Notice detailing the FCC’s options for the auctioning of TV band spectrum “Expanding the Economic and Innovation Opportunities of Spectrum Through Incentive Auctions” runs 200 pages and included milestones shown in the timetable below.

Incentive Auction Timeline. Courtesy: FCC LEARN site

The Major Players

Wireless carriers are the primary proponents of the repack and auction plan, and, as the forward auction bidders, will be the likely beneficiaries.  Not to be overlooked is a profit opportunity for TV stations and the government. Some of the auction proceeds (estimated at approximately $25 billion) will be shared with TV stations participating in the reverse auction, some will be used to build a nationwide public safety communications network in the 700 MHz Band, and costs incurred to broadcasters from repacking will have to be reimbursed. The remainder of the proceeds will be deposited in the U.S. Treasury.

On the other side, the tech industry – Google, Microsoft, the WiFi Alliance, among others – cite the danger of putting power in the hands of a very few, very large companies who can afford to license their slice of the spectrum and use it for only those devices and services they market.  This group believes that free and open access stimulates innovation, investment, and job creation, as companies of all sizes develop new products and services.  They are lobbying for portions of the Band to be set aside for unlicensed use — similar to the allocation of the 2.4 GHz band for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and the recent White Spaces initiative.

Professional audio interests, from trade organizations such as the National Association of Broadcasters to the country’s major sports leagues to the largest content producers, speak to the impact on wireless microphone users.  These entities remain vocal in their position that they have recently given up over 100 MHz of spectrum during the 700 MHz band reallocation, and that wireless microphone operation in the TV Band must be protected going forward.

http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022130172

http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7022130256

Shure is at the forefront of efforts to maintain adequate spectrum for professional audio and is actively involved in the Incentive Auctions proceeding.

How It Affects the Wireless Microphone User Today

Since there’s a risk of confusion for wireless users, Shure Notes asked Chris Lyons, who has been leading training sessions at Shure on the general subject of spectrum issues, for his insights.

Which spectrum will be auctioned?

The FCC has suggested a few different sections of spectrum for the auction.  The most likely is a section in the upper part of the existing TV band, beginning at TV channel 51 and extending downward.  How much spectrum is auctioned depends on how many TV stations volunteer to participate, which will likely vary in different cities.

When will the auction take place?

The FCC hopes to conduct the auction in 2014, but has not announced a specific date.  Commissioners have stated clearly that this is the most complex spectrum auction in world history and could be subject to unforeseen challenges.

Assuming that enough TV stations participate and the incentive auction takes place, how long will it take the FCC to repack the TV Band?

Repacking the TV stations into a smaller TV band is the hard part of the process, and could take a few years.  The repacking process is as complex as the DTV transition was, which ended up taking 10 years.

Will any pro audio manufacturers take part in the forward auction?

No, it’s not feasible (financially or technically) for a manufacturer like Shure to own and administer a piece of spectrum solely for its own users.

In 2009, wireless systems that operated in the 700 MHz band were no longer allowed.  Could reallocation of the TV Band make today’s wireless systems obsolete?

Wireless microphones (as well as personal monitors, production intercoms, and similar gear) that are in the spectrum that is auctioned will have to stop operating at whatever date is set by the FCC.  This means that those systems will need to be replaced with units that operate in the spectrum that is still open for wireless mic use.  Failure to comply with FCC rules (just like IRS or EPA rules) is illegal and subject to enforcement action.

Should I be doing anything now to get ready for post-repack landscape?

At this point, the most valuable thing to have is information.  Every facility or venue that uses wireless microphones needs to appoint someone to keep up with this issue as it progresses.  If you own equipment in the upper part of the TV band, it would be wise to begin budgeting for replacement equipment, so that you’ll be ready to act when the available TV channels in your area are finalized.

How can I stay informed of what’s going on?

The FCC’s LEARN Program is quite user-friendly, and spectrum issues are always reported on their blog.  Shure’s website and publications also report significant developments.  And our Product Support department is always a good resource for guidance.

New Product Overview: SCM820 Digital Automatic Mixer
Webinar Description
Built on the reputation of the popular SCM810, the SCM820 Intellimix® Automatic Mixer offers increased functionality, including selectable Intellimix modes, dual mixer capability, and an intuitive, browser-based interface. In addition, the SCM820 integrates Dante™ digital audio networking for simplified connectivity. Join Shure Systems Support Manager Gino Sigismondi for a tour of SCM820 features and applications.

Dates & Times
Monday, February 11, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 2/11 Webinar

Wednesday, February 13, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 2/13 Webinar

White Spaces / Spectrum Update
Webinar Description
The FCC continues to seek ways to make more spectrum available for wireless broadband devices in the U.S., some of which will likely come from the TV band. In this webinar, Shure Technical & Educational Communications Manager Chris Lyons will discuss the FCC’s planned Incentive Auction, the ongoing rollout of “White Space” devices, and potential changes in wireless microphone license eligibility.

Dates & Times
Monday, February 25, 2013; 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CDT Register for the 2/25 Webinar

Wednesday, February 27, 2013; 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDT Register for the 2/27 Webinar

After you register, you’ll get a confirmation email that’ll tell you how to join the webinar.

System requirements for PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP, or 2003 Server. For Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer required.

Happy learning!

View archives of our webinars at your convenience on shure.com.

Fixed device Agility White Space Radio currently being tested in Wilmington, North Carolina

Deployment of the KTS device will initially be limited to the Wilmington, NC area and will eventually expand nationwide.

Users of wireless audio systems have been aware of the potential threat created by these TV band devices for many years, since the FCC began to investigate using the ‘white spaces’ vacated by analog television in the UHF and VHF TV bands to provide wireless broadband Internet access.  On June 12, 2009, the Digital Television (DTV) Transition was completed and analog television broadcasts by major stations ceased by FCC mandate. After years of regulatory planning, debate, and product testing, the future is here.

How it affects consumers

TV band devices (eventually there will be both fixed and portable models) will operate alongside wireless microphones used by broadcasters, theatrical producers, sports franchises, music tours and other productions.  Their goal will be to expand reliable wireless broadband internet coverage to underserved rural areas and dense urban populations, improve internet access for schools and public buildings, provide new data management systems for corporations, and create networks in homes. Although there are numerous technical challenges to sharing the TV spectrum frequencies, the benefits to the American public are significant.  Due to their ability to penetrate obstacles and reach longer distances than higher-frequency Wi-Fi, some have described WSDs as a game-changer that will positively affect all of us.

Here’s what FCC Chair Julius Genachowski had to say: “With today’s approval of the first TV white spaces database and device, we are taking an important step towards enabling a new wave of wireless innovation. Unleashing white spaces spectrum has the potential to exceed even the many billions of dollars in economic benefit from Wi-Fi, the last significant release of unlicensed spectrum, and drive private investment and job creation.”

How it affects wireless audio users

A TV Bands Device can only transmit on TV channels that it knows are unassigned to a TV station or other licensed user.  The device receives this information from one of 10 FCC-approved TV Bands Device Databases. The first database, operated by Spectrum Bridge Inc., also went live on January 26.

As these new devices begin sharing the same TV channels used by wireless microphones, personal monitors, and production intercoms, interference will become a real possibility.  Fortunately, the FCC has set aside a minimum of two TV channels in each market that are available exclusively for wireless audio systems.  These are off-limits to TV Bands Devices.

Since 3-15 wireless microphones (depending on model) can operate in one TV channel, the reserved TV channels will accommodate the needs of most wireless users.  Users of larger numbers of wireless systems may register in the TV Bands Device Database to protect additional TV channels during a specific event.  Unlicensed wireless microphone users must request database protection in advance from the FCC, while licensed users may register in the database directly.

Here’s what wireless users need to do to insure continued trouble-free operation of their gear:

1. Take inventory
Make a list of all of your wireless mics, in-ear monitors, and intercoms that operate in the VHF or UHF TV bands (174-216 MHz and 470-698 MHz, respectively.)  You’re looking for the “3 M’s” (Make, Model, and MHz).  Note the exact frequency that each product is actually set to as well as the frequency range that it is capable of transmitting on.  This is important because it tells you what your options are if changing frequencies becomes advantageous.

2. Do some research  

Find out which TV channels are exclusively available for wireless mics at your venue’s location.  You can easily check this online, using Spectrum Bridge’s online Show My White Space tool.

(http://whitespaces.spectrumbridge.com/whitespaces/Home.aspx).

3. Compare
You’re free to operate on any TV channel that isn’t assigned to a TV station or licensed two-way radio user. Ideally, you’d want all of your wireless gear to be set to frequencies in the TV channels that are reserved for wireless audio systems at your location.  If they’re not, you may want to keep that in mind when planning for future equipment upgrades.

4. Start planning  
If you need more wireless systems than will fit into the reserved TV channels from time to time, you’ll want to register in the database at least 30 days before the event to protect them from interference.  Now is the time to think about that music festival, convention, or Christmas concert.  It’s a good idea to start planning for these special events sooner rather than later.  If you’ll be supplementing your facility’s own wireless systems with additional rented gear, find out in advance which TV channels you want to use.  Do your preferred rental providers have those frequency ranges in stock?  Making phone calls now will avoid nasty surprises two days before an important event.