THE DIGITAL DIVIDEND AND CHANGES TO REGULATION TO WIRELESS MICROPHONE USAGE

From the first of January 2015, a part of the UHF spectrum currently used for wireless microphones will be reserved for mobile voice and data applications. Consequently, no Wireless Microphones or In Ear Monitor systems will be able to operate between 694 MHz and 820 MHz.

From the first of January 2015, your Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitor systems will need to operate on frequencies not used by TV stations, but operate between 520 MHz and 694 MHz. This will ensure your systems operate reliably and that you stay within the law.
Digital TV and Wireless Audio Systems will share the spectrum between 520 MHz and 694 MHz when the Digital Dividend begins operation on January 1, 2015.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT?

The UHF spectrum available for Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitor systems will be more congested and all users will have to share the range between 520 MHz and 694 MHz with the Digital TV stations. Because the frequencies of the TV transmitters will also change, even some existing wireless systems operating between 520 MHz and 694 MHz may no longer work without interference or be legal, depending where they are being used.

WHAT ARE THE USES OF THE UHF BAND TODAY?

The current primary use of the UHF band between 520 MHz and 820 MHz is for Free to Air Television broadcasting in analogue and digital (FreeTV). Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitor systems also use this band, sharing it with the TV broadcasters. The TV broadcasters have priority use of these frequencies. Users of Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitor systems are secondary users, conditional on them not interfering with the reception of Free to Air TV broadcasts.

WILL FREQUENCY CHANGES CONTINUE IN THE UHF BAND?

Yes, until the end of 2014. Digital Free to Air TV broadcasts began in Australia in 2009. Since 2010, analogue TV transmitters are being switched off gradually in different regions, the aim being to have all analogue TV transmitters turned off by the end of 2013. The ultimate goal is to deploy 6 Digital TV channels in each TV service area across Australia by the end of 2014. These 6 channels will all be on adjacent frequencies in a TV service area. Each channel will occupy 7 MHz of bandwidth, so these 6 channels will occupy a block of frequencies 42 MHz wide. (6 channels of 7 MHz each).

WHAT ARE THE NEW USES OF THE UHF BAND AFTER THE 1ST OF JANUARY, 2015?

The end of analogue Free to Air TV broadcasting, the introduction of Digital Free to Air TV and the re-stack of the TV frequencies has freed a frequency range between 694 MHz and 820 MHz. This range of frequencies is known as the Digital Dividend. From the 1st of January 2015, across Australia, this band will be assigned for the deployment of mobile voice and data services. Two frequency bands are used: 703 MHz to 748 MHz and 758 MHz to 803 MHz. The 10 MHz space between these two blocks is called "The Mid-Band Gap".

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE USE OF WIRELESS MICROPHONES IN THE UHF BAND?

In Australia Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitor systems currently operate under what is called a Class Licence as a Low Interference Potential Device (LIPD). Within this Class Licence, Wireless Microphones and In Ear Monitor systems operate under Item 22A. There are some conditions that apply under Item 22A, including maximum power of 100mW, maximum bandwidth of 330KHz, you cannot transmit on the same frequency as a TV transmitter licensed for that area and if you transmit on a frequency adjacent to a TV transmitter licensed in that area you must be at least 400 KHz away from the upper and lower edges of that TV transmitter frequency range.

The new LIPD Class Licence, was gazetted mid-2013 and brings with it some changes. These changes include the following:

1.    Wireless audio transmitters must not be operated in the frequency range 694-820 MHz after 31 December 2014.
2.    After 31 December 2014, wireless audio systems in the UHF band must operate between 520 MHz and 694 MHz.
3.   A new frequency band of 1790 - 1800 MHz has been opened up for use by wireless audio devices.

WHAT SHOULD WE USE?

So how do you choose a wireless microphone in the range from 520 to 694 MHz?

The range of TALK AUDIO VISUAL products includes models that are compatible with the frequencies that will be available in different areas across Australia.

Please feel free to contact us on 1300 55 22 90, visit our website at www.talkaudiovisual.com.au or email info@talkaudiovisual.com.au