Wireless audio products post 1 January 2015
The new rules
New rules regarding the use of wireless microphones, instrument transmitters and in ear monitoring systems apply from January 1st 2015
- All devices must operate between 520 and 694MHz or1790 and 1800MHz
- Previously compliant products using the spectrum from 695MHz to 820MHz should no longer be used as it is against the law (Radio Communications Act 1992) to use any devices operating outside the frequencies shown above from Janiaur1st 2015. Fines and potential gaol terms can be applied.
- Users should activate the automated tuning functions available on most products to find clear spectrum on each occasion they set up their systems as many TV frequencies (with which wireless audio devices share the 520-694MHz spectrum) have also recently changed
- Most users will operate these products under what is known as a class licence. This licence gives you the right to use the spectrum on a no interference, no protection basis meaning that you cannot interfere with any other users spectrum (mostly TV broadcasters) but are offered no protection form the interference of others. It is therefore important to find the unused ‘white‘ space when setting up.
- Importers, distributors and retailer should only be supplying compliant products to the Australian market. To supply non complaint product is now also a breach of the law.
What will happen if you use wireless audio products in the digital dividend spectrum after January 1st 2015
- From January 1st 2015 Telstra and Optus will start selling products into the 695-820MHz spectrum previous available for wireless audio use
- Any use of wireless audio product in this spectrum is now illegal
- Aside from the question of illegality, continued use of devices in between 695 and 820MHz will be subject to increased levels of interference by mobile phones and other mobile devices operating nearby
- This means that any devices operating in the 695-820MHz range will increasing become subject to drop outs and other audible interference (clicks, pops, bangs) from the more powerful mobile telephones and tablets using the same spectrum
- Telstra and Optus will quickly populate the digital dividend spectrum early in 2015. As the number of these devices increases the reliability of your transmissions will decline accordingly. We anticipate highly populated areas in CBD and metropolitan areas along with major entertainment and education precincts to be impacted within weeks of the January 1st 2015 switchover
Making wireless seen and not just heard. Never again to be ignored by governments
Since the change of government it’s clear there is a different attitude towards the wireless audio issue and ACETA is now working to ensure that never again is wireless audio ignored by governments when re-stacking spectrum.
First a quick recap: one of the reasons that wireless audio users are in this predicament is because the devices operated under a class licence. That means they were effectively invisible to the regulators, who had no idea how many venues were using them or how much spectrum was being occupied. So when the digital switchover was planned they omitted to include wireless audio because they didn’t realise how many users there were. Unfortunately, despite our considerable efforts the scale and scope of use continues to go unrecognised.
One of the goals of ACETA’s discussions with the regulator and government is to ensure this lack of awareness will never happen again.
In case you might think there will be no opportunity for this to happen again, discussions have already begun for another re-stack. It won’t happen for probably seven years, but the consultation is now underway and we expect Minister Turnbull to outline his vision for future spectrum management at the Radcomms Conference next month.
The solution ACETA suggested to ensure that, regardless of government, wireless audio is included in any future changes is to adapt the existing apparatus licence framework. This approach is used elsewhere to manage spectrum. Currently the apparatus licencing is typically used for individual devices whereas our suggestion is to licence multiple wireless devices across a range of spectrum. This was suggested on condition that the licence fee be reasonable.
Why would we suggest that members and users would want to pay more money than they are now to government? Quite simply, because this then dials us into the discussion. Permanently. ACETA thinks this approach is especially relevant to big pro users like program makers, special events audio providers and other high stake users such as tertiary institutions. Holding apparatus licences mean they have rights, which in turn gives them an increased level of certainty both now and in the future. As we discovered, a class licence doesn’t deliver that certainty. For the industry as a whole those apparatus licences collectively provide a visibility in the future we have not had through the digital dividend transition.
This suggestion was made to the ACMA and has been well received and it is now in public consultation. The discussion paper is here.
And here is our response. As you can see we have some concerns about the mechanics of applying for the licence and communicating the licence to potential users, but apart from that, and presuming the fee is reasonable, then we approve the proposed plan.
This is, of course, potentially an enormous win for professional users and others who are heavily invested in wireless audio and who do not want to be exposed in the future by the shortcomings of the class licence as they have been in the past.
This comes on top of the big win for indoor use, announced last July. That move allows the use of audio devices across the entire 520 to 694MHz spectrum, in RF-secure venues. Users will no longer have to fit in around the TV blocks. They will be able to use the spectrum that has been allocated to TV provided they operate without causing interference to TV broadcasts.
Also, under discussion is use at outdoor events by professional users. Again, this would enable them to use all the spectrum, including that allocated to television. This doesn’t mean the church fete. This means big pro audio operator events, such as an outdoor music festivals, sporting events and so on. We expect to hear about that move, which we believe will go ahead, in the next few weeks.
With the change of government, it’s clear there is a willingness to attempt to right some of the wrongs that the original process created for wireless audio users. It’s also clear that some of those wrongs, most notably having to scrap perfectly serviceable gear simply because the spectrum has been sold, cannot and will not be redressed.
ACETA’s focus now is to work with the government and regulator to ensure that there is a sustainable and workable regime for the wireless audio users after the January 1 2015 changeover. And that no wireless audio users will be disadvantaged by future ‘digital dividends’ as they have in past.
First a quick recap: one of the reasons that wireless audio users are in this predicament is because the devices operated under a class licence. That means they were effectively invisible to the regulators, who had no idea how many venues were using them or how much spectrum was being occupied. So when the digital switchover was planned they omitted to include wireless audio because they didn’t realise how many users there were. Unfortunately, despite our considerable efforts the scale and scope of use continues to go unrecognised.
One of the goals of ACETA’s discussions with the regulator and government is to ensure this lack of awareness will never happen again.
In case you might think there will be no opportunity for this to happen again, discussions have already begun for another re-stack. It won’t happen for probably seven years, but the consultation is now underway and we expect Minister Turnbull to outline his vision for future spectrum management at the Radcomms Conference next month.
The solution ACETA suggested to ensure that, regardless of government, wireless audio is included in any future changes is to adapt the existing apparatus licence framework. This approach is used elsewhere to manage spectrum. Currently the apparatus licencing is typically used for individual devices whereas our suggestion is to licence multiple wireless devices across a range of spectrum. This was suggested on condition that the licence fee be reasonable.
Why would we suggest that members and users would want to pay more money than they are now to government? Quite simply, because this then dials us into the discussion. Permanently. ACETA thinks this approach is especially relevant to big pro users like program makers, special events audio providers and other high stake users such as tertiary institutions. Holding apparatus licences mean they have rights, which in turn gives them an increased level of certainty both now and in the future. As we discovered, a class licence doesn’t deliver that certainty. For the industry as a whole those apparatus licences collectively provide a visibility in the future we have not had through the digital dividend transition.
This suggestion was made to the ACMA and has been well received and it is now in public consultation. The discussion paper is here.
And here is our response. As you can see we have some concerns about the mechanics of applying for the licence and communicating the licence to potential users, but apart from that, and presuming the fee is reasonable, then we approve the proposed plan.
This is, of course, potentially an enormous win for professional users and others who are heavily invested in wireless audio and who do not want to be exposed in the future by the shortcomings of the class licence as they have been in the past.
This comes on top of the big win for indoor use, announced last July. That move allows the use of audio devices across the entire 520 to 694MHz spectrum, in RF-secure venues. Users will no longer have to fit in around the TV blocks. They will be able to use the spectrum that has been allocated to TV provided they operate without causing interference to TV broadcasts.
Also, under discussion is use at outdoor events by professional users. Again, this would enable them to use all the spectrum, including that allocated to television. This doesn’t mean the church fete. This means big pro audio operator events, such as an outdoor music festivals, sporting events and so on. We expect to hear about that move, which we believe will go ahead, in the next few weeks.
With the change of government, it’s clear there is a willingness to attempt to right some of the wrongs that the original process created for wireless audio users. It’s also clear that some of those wrongs, most notably having to scrap perfectly serviceable gear simply because the spectrum has been sold, cannot and will not be redressed.
ACETA’s focus now is to work with the government and regulator to ensure that there is a sustainable and workable regime for the wireless audio users after the January 1 2015 changeover. And that no wireless audio users will be disadvantaged by future ‘digital dividends’ as they have in past.